Gov. Beshear Announces Application Period Open for $27 Million in Grants for Job Creation in Eastern Kentucky
Deadline to apply is April 8, 2024
FRANKFORT, KY. (Jan. 12, 2024) ? Today, Gov. Andy Beshear encouraged Appalachian communities to apply for this year?s Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant funding that has supported economic and community development in Eastern Kentucky counties and helped families for seven years.
The Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands is accepting applications in anticipation of receiving 2024 AMLER grant funding through April 8, 2024. In 2023, 14 applications were selected to receive $26.6 million in grant funding.
?These grants help our innovative, hard-working Appalachian communities by advancing vital projects that are creating hundreds of jobs and a strong economic future for generations,? Gov. Beshear said. ?It?s a perfect example of what we can do ? federal, state and local communities working together ? to build a better Kentucky.?
The AMLER program was established in 2016 by U.S. Rep. Harold ?Hal? Rogers (KY-05) to help coal-producing states revitalize in the midst of the downturn of the coal industry. Over the last seven years, nearly $200 million has been awarded for 87 projects in 25 Eastern Kentucky counties. Once completed, these projects are expected to generate more than 3,000 new jobs for the region.
Each application must include details of its economic and community advantages along with a connection to pre-law coal mining (mining that was completed prior to May 18, 1982).
Division staff will be available to discuss grant proposals with potential applicants at the Abandoned Mine Lands regional offices on the following dates:
?????? January 16-17 at 101 Bulldog Lane, Hazard, KY
?????? January 30 at 85 State Police Road, London, KY
?????? February 13-14 at 3140 South Lake Drive, Suite 6, Prestonsburg, KY
Appointments can be scheduled here. A self-paced online workshop is also available here.
Previous successful grant applications include industrial development, workforce training, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, agritech and community wellness projects.
?We have been able to support so many fascinating projects in Eastern and Southern Kentucky, and we?re excited to once again offer our communities this opportunity,? said Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman.
At the SOAR Summit in October, Gov. Beshear and Congressman Rogers (KY-05), represented by his district director, Carlos Cameron,?announced the 2023 awardees, who received $26.6 million in AMLER grants?for economic development projects in nine Eastern Kentucky counties. Projects selected for funding since the beginning of the program can be found here.
Information about the AMLER program can be found at AMLER or by contacting Jim Cable, Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands director, 300 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, KY 40601. Office phone: 502-782-9913, e-mail: [email protected].
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