Governor celebrates opening of The Barnyard Venue in Sharpsburg
SHARPSBURG / MT. STERLING, Ky. (July 20, 2022) – In keeping with his priorities to promote safety and health in the commonwealth, Gov. Andy Beshear today presented $2,372,025 in various awards to Bath and Montgomery counties that support safety and accessibility for Kentuckians.
These awards invest in road resurfacing efforts in Bath County, improvements for pedestrians and cyclists in Montgomery County and a new senior center in Mt. Sterling.
“Today’s awards prioritize the safety and wellbeing of all Kentuckians,” Gov. Beshear said. “We are awarding funds that will improve our roads, install a sidewalk that will be used by schoolchildren and will provide support for our elderly citizens. We are making sure nobody is left behind.”
He also celebrated the opening of The Barnyard Entertainment Venue in Sharpsburg. The venue will employ 150-200 people per show, many of whom are from surrounding communities. The total venue covers over 170 acres and can hold up to 8,000 people. Visitors can enjoy country, rock, bluegrass and Christian performances, as well as comedy acts, and much more.
Road Resurfacing in Sharpsburg
Today in Bath County, Gov. Beshear presented a $15,900 award for resurfacing portions of Back Street in the City of Sharpsburg. The discretionary funding is administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Rural and Municipal Aid.
Back Street runs nearly the length of Sharpsburg and includes several businesses and about 20 residences. City officials estimate that the street has not been improved in 30 years.
“Our mission is to provide an efficient and modern transportation infrastructure for Kentuckians. That mission isn’t limited to interstates and parkways. It also extends to the local streets and roads that lead to your front door, or to your school, workplace or house of worship,” Gov. Beshear said. “Back Street is vitally important to the people of Sharpsburg, and I’m happy that we’re able to provide this funding to improve it.”
Montgomery County Senior Center
Today in Montgomery County, Gov. Beshear presented a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award to help build a new senior center.
The funding will go toward the construction of an approximately 6,000-square-foot senior citizens center in Mt. Sterling. Mt. Sterling will donate the land, currently a parking lot, at the corner of East Locust Street and South Wilson Street. The new facility will include a large dining/meeting area, a commercial kitchen, an exercise room, restroom facilities, storage space, patio areas and office space. The new center’s commercial kitchen will serve as a backup location to the Gateway Regional Kitchen in Menifee County, which prepared and served over 36,000 meals in the region in fiscal year 2021.
The Montgomery County Senior Center recently relocated from its long-time location at 302 W. Main Street due to health, accessibility and structural concerns. The senior center is temporarily located in the Health and Civic Center building. The new center will provide seniors throughout the county a larger, safer and more accessible facility that will have a significant and positive impact on their health and wellbeing.
“We are grateful to Gov. Beshear and his administration for recognizing the importance in investing in our senior citizens,” Montgomery County Judge/Executive Wally Johnson said. “Montgomery County Fiscal Court has sought funding for many years to improve our senior center facility. This $750,000 grant will allow us to construct a new senior center and backup gateway regional kitchen site that will augment our growing and vibrant community.”
Transportation Alternatives Program Funding Presented in Montgomery County
Also in Montgomery County, Gov. Beshear presented funding to the City of Mt. Sterling and the City of Camargo to help fund projects promoting traffic safety and community connections.
Both awards are from the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which is administered by the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Both cities are using the funding to build or improve sidewalks and related work, such as storm gutters, crosswalks, pedestrian signage and striping.
Gov. Beshear presented $1,272,333 to the City of Mt. Sterling, which is launching a third phase of its Transportation and Revitalization Project. It involves construction of new sidewalk and bike lane infrastructure along Main Street and North Maysville Street.
The Governor also presented $333,792 to the City of Camargo for use in building a new sidewalk along McCormick Road, replacing old sidewalk that was not easily accessible and ended short of an important intersection. The new sidewalk will connect residents to City Hall, the public library and local businesses. It will have the secondary benefit of enabling children who live on McCormick Road to walk to Camargo Elementary School and Mount Sterling Christian School on a safe sidewalk instead of in the roadway.
“Both of these projects reflect the highest priorities of my administration – promoting good health and traffic safety and keeping us connected to our fellow Kentuckians,” Gov. Beshear said. “The TAP program funds projects that give people safe transportation alternatives to driving. Whether that’s walking or cycling, these improvements promote good health and contribute to cleaner air. The health benefits have a ripple effect.”
“The City of Camargo appreciates Gov. Beshear’s administration for the TAP grant,” Mayor of Camargo Clayton Neal said. “The McCormick Road sidewalk project will improve the safety of citizens in the area.”
“The City of Mt. Sterling is very excited to have been selected for this TAP award,” Mayor of Mt. Sterling Al Botts said. “This Phase III TAP award allows us to expand on a previous grant (Phase I TAP project completed on South Maysville Street in 2019) and comes along at just the right time. We’ve invested heavily in revitalizing our downtown area over the past several years.”
Mayor Botts continued: “This award will not only allow us to improve the walkability for pedestrians, but to also enhance the overall look of our historic city center. I can’t thank Gov. Beshear enough for his trust and confidence in our community. I’d also like to thank both Transportation Secretary Jim Gray and Department for Local Government Commissioner Dennis Keene for supporting our efforts and our vision here in Mt. Sterling. This is a big day for us, and we have more exciting days ahead for our community!”
About the Community Development Block Grant Program
The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities.
About the Transportation Alternatives Program
TAP is a federally funded reimbursement program administered through KYTC’s Office of Local Programs. Funding supports non-motorized forms of transportation to improve connectivity, accessibility, safety and equity in communities. Transportation projects commonly include bicycle and pedestrian pathways, ADA compliance, Safe Routes to School and wildlife mitigation. The program covers 80% of the project cost.
###