Gov. Beshear Presents More Than $7.3 Million To Benefit Pike County
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2023) – Today, at the Workforce Innovation Center at Pikeville Medical Center, Gov. Beshear announced over $7.3 million in awards to benefit Pike County.
The funds are going to support nursing jobs, protect law enforcement, increase tourism, construct a volunteer fire station, increase recycling efforts, resurface roads and bring high-speed internet to more homes and businesses. The Governor also highlighted the expansion of the Lawson Cancer Center in Pikeville.
“It was a great day in Pikeville today as we announced over $7.3 million in funding that is going toward building a better Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are committed to investing in the communities and families in Eastern Kentucky.”
"On behalf of the citizens of Pike County, I would like to thank Gov. Beshear for his steadfast commitment to Pike County," said Judge/Executive Ray Jones. "This funding will help improve public safety, increase tourism and help make Pike County an even better place to live, work and raise a family."
Galen College of Nursing Expansion Groundbreaking
In July 2022, the Governor helped announce the partnership between Galen College of Nursing and Pikeville Medical Center as part of Project HEART (Healthcare Employment Around Regional Training). The project aims to support skilled health care workers through training programs at local community colleges.
Today, Gov. Beshear awarded nearly $1.3 million to Pikeville Medical Center for Project HEART. The funding will be used to finish the second floor of the nursing facility and purchase equipment for nursing education and clinical teaching.
Transportation Awards
The Governor highlighted several awards totaling $816,000 from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to Pike County. Over $570,000 was used to resurface roads in Pikeville, including Rockhouse Fork, Upper Chloe Fork and Grassy Branch. Another award of more than $246,000 was awarded to resurface Middle Fork and John Young Branch.
Tourism Funding
Gov. Beshear awarded $715,000 to the City of Pikeville Tourism to support travel marketing and promotion. The award is part of the $75 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding announced by the Governor in July to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. The funds are distributed by the Kentucky Department of Tourism to eligible tourism organizations throughout the commonwealth.
The Governor also awarded $60,000 to the City of Pikeville Tourism for the Moonshine Trail, a regional project celebrating the commonwealth’s booming spirits industry.
Kimper Volunteer Fire Department
Gov. Beshear presented $750,000 to construct Fire Station #3 for the Kimper Volunteer Fire Department. The funding comes from the Community Development Block Grant program, which is administered by the Department for Local Government.
Recycling Awards
The Governor awarded $335,000 from the Energy and Environment Cabinet to support the Big Sandy Regional Recycling Center.
Recommended Funds for Hillbilly ATV Trails
Gov. Beshear announced his recommendation that Pike County Hillbilly ATC Trails receive $765,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission. If approved, the funds will go toward the construction of trailheads, shelters, parking lots, sidewalks, a convenience center and more.
Better Internet Award
The Governor announced $.6 million from the Better Internet Program that will go to Inter Mountain Cable in Pike County. With private matching funds, this brings the total investment to more than $4.3 million, which will go toward expanding access to 263 unserved homes and businesses in the county.
Earlier this week, Gov. Beshear announced a record $386 million investment to expand access in 46 counties, bringing high-speed internet access to more than 42,000 homes and businesses for the first time.
Lawson Cancer Center Expansion
Gov. Beshear highlighted his administration’s work to expand Pikeville Medical Center’s Lawson Cancer Center. The Governor pushed to provide $4.27 million for the project in 2020 from the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization Fund. The funds are intended to boost job growth and economic development in Eastern Kentucky.
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