Gov. Beshear Signs Legislation, Presents Over $1.8 Million in Awards in Letcher County
Funds support tourism, cleaner water projects and local nonprofits
WHITESBURG, Ky. (March 27, 2023) ? Today at the Cowan Community Center, Gov. Andy Beshear signed House Bills 157 and 448 and presented $1,831,276.56 to local tourism agencies, utilities and nonprofit organizations to support Kentucky families.
?As I?ve said from day one, we will be with Eastern Kentucky until every home and every life is rebuilt,? Gov. Beshear said. ?House Bill 157 helps us prepare for future severe weather so we can save lives. House Bill 448 helps us get folks in new homes with a major investment in rural housing.?
?Today was a good day in Letcher County as we celebrated funds that will help our people,? said Letcher County Judge/Executive Terry Adams. ?We?re showing what can happen when we work together with local and state officials. We will keep working toward a brighter future for everyone in our county.?
House Bill 157
This bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark Hart of Falmouth, creates the Kentucky Urban Search and Rescue Program under the Division of Emergency Management to help save lives after a natural disaster.
House Bill 448
The Governor said this omnibus budget bill, sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie of Elkton and Rep. Brandon Reed of Hodgenville, provides important funding in many areas. In Letcher County, he focused on its appropriations for the Rural Housing Trust Fund. In fiscal year 2023-24, HB 448 transfers $10 million from the Eastern Kentucky SAFE Fund and $10 million from the Western Kentucky SAFE Fund, $20 million total, to the Rural Housing Trust Fund.
Tourism Marketing Funding
Gov. Beshear awarded $32,708 to the Letcher County Tourism and Convention Commission to support travel marketing and promotion. These awards are part of the $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding supported by the Governor and allocated by the General Assembly in 2022 to boost the state?s tourism industry and economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic. The Governor announced the awards in July.
Cleaner Water Program
Gov. Beshear announced the commitment of $1,308,926 in funding from the Cleaner Water Program to utilities in Letcher County. As projects progress, utilities will be reimbursed.
- The City of Fleming-Neon will use $167,297 to make improvements to its sewer system.
- The City of Jenkins will use $153,337 to make improvements to its wastewater treatment plant.
- The City of Whitesburg will use $253,889 to rehabilitate a waterline downtown.
- The Letcher County Water & Sewer District will use $734,403 for maintenance projects and one waterline extension that is expected to bring public water to 13 homes for the first time.
Appalachian Regional Commission
Gov. Beshear announced the Letcher County Water & Sewer District will use $45,150 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to repair a waterline to restore service to 25 homes.
Nonprofit Assistance Fund
The Governor awarded $444,492.56 to seven nonprofit organizations in Letcher County. The awards come from the Nonprofit Assistance Fund, which is helping organizations across Kentucky recover from the effects of the pandemic. The funding comes from the federal ARPA, and Gov. Beshear supported the allocation of funds by the 2022 General Assembly. This funding will provide one-time direct relief payments to support the mission and long-term sustainability of each eligible nonprofit. The awards include:
?The Salvation Army in Letcher County is grateful to the Governor and the Kentucky General Assembly for this gift from the Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund,? Divisional Commander Major Tom Louden said. ?This gift will be used to feed the hungry and provide emergency financial assistance to those in need in the area. As the Salvation Army deals with an increased need due to natural disasters, rising costs, and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, these funds will allow us to keep ?Doing the Most Good? in Letcher County.?
?We are so grateful for these funds, which will allow us to continue recovery after the July floods,? said Charlie Calhoun, development communications manager of Appalshop.
?We are immensely grateful for the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund grant,? Appalachian Citizens? Law Center Executive Director Wes Addington said. ?This crucial support enabled us to continue our commitment to serving miners with black lung, their families and communities grappling with the effects of damage from abandoned mine lands and water quality issues. Since the flood hit last July, many of our clients are enduring further hardships, compounding the adversities they were already facing. Although our office was also flooded, this assistance has not only allowed us to continue representing our clients without interruption, but also enabled us to expand our outreach strategies to further protect and support these resilient families who have been through so much. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Governor?s Office for recognizing and supporting the vital work we do.?
?We will use the funds to support the ongoing operating costs of our extended after school program. We will use it in outreach to the community and the recovery efforts,? said Hemphill Community Center Secretary/Treasurer Gwen Johnson.
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