OWENTON, Ky. (Feb. 7, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear awarded $400,351 to deliver clean drinking water to Owen County from the Better Kentucky Plan’s $250 million Cleaner Water Program. The program is estimated to create approximately 3,800 jobs across the state.
The Owen County Fiscal Court will use the funds to help Kentucky American Water install water lines along Point of Rock Road from the intersection of Monterey Pike to Ballard Lane. This new line will provide new or improved water service to 13 households.
“To build a better Kentucky, we have to start with a solid foundation,” said Gov. Beshear. “Today’s award from the Cleaner Water Program will ensure our residents in Owen County are provided with basic necessities like clean, reliable drinking water and that they have the support and resources they need to meet their goals for the future.”
“The funding announced for the project today will provide public water service to those without access to public water, and I am happy to see this money the legislature allocated in last year’s budget will go to improving the lives of people of Owen County,” said Rep. Phillip Pratt, whose district includes Owen County. “Every person deserves the access to clean water and this is exactly what the Cleaner Water Program is going to do. It is crucial for Kentucky’s infrastructure to be safe so we can ensure the safety of the people we represent.”
“After so many failed attempts to fund this project, it's wonderful to finally accept these funds on behalf of the residents of Point of Rock Road,” said Owen County Judge/Executive Casey Ellis. “While it doesn't fund the entirety of the road, it’s certainly a start toward our goal. I commend the Kentucky General Assembly for allocating the funding through SB-36. I would also like to thank Gov. Beshear and his team for expediting the program implementation and distribution of the Cleaner Water Funding. And of course, projects like this would be impossible without the collaboration with Kentucky American Water and the support of the Owen County Fiscal Court.”
“The people on Point of Rock and the surrounding area have waited a long time for water, and while this project won't get to everyone, it puts all residents there one step closer,” said Chad Rose, Owen County Magistrate representing the 4th District. “A huge thank you to Gov. Beshear for seeing to it that these funds were allocated to a worthy project, and to the Kentucky legislature for their passing of SB-36. Of course, thank you to Kentucky American for their commitment to bringing clean water to the people of Owen County, and to Judge Ellis for continuing to be vigilant on such an important project. Good things happen when folks come together, and this is a team effort.”
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA), $250 million was appropriated through a bipartisan agreement at the close of the 2021 General Assembly for clean drinking water and wastewater grants to fund projects across Kentucky.
The Northern Kentucky Area Development District submitted the funding request for this project to KIA.
About the Cleaner Water Program
A total of $60 million has been awarded to grantees to fund transformative projects since the call for projects was announced June 1. Eligible government agencies, such as city-owned water or sewer utilities, water commissions, water and sewer districts and counties, collaborated with their local Area Development Districts and Area Water Management Councils to submit projects for Cleaner Water Program funding. There are 713 public drinking water and wastewater utilities in Kentucky.
Cleaner Water program funding is allocated in three ways:
- $150 million based on each county’s proportion of the state’s population, with the exception of Jefferson County’s share, which is discounted by 50% based on its high per capita allocation from the federal act. A list of the allocations by county can be found here.
- $50 million is available for utilities to provide drinking water services to unserved, rural customers or to utilities under a federal consent decree. KIA shall consider social, economic and environmental benefits in determining the allocations.
- $49.9 million is available to supplement a project grant for a project with a cost in excess of a county’s allocation amount and other available grant sources. The social, economic and environmental benefits shall be considered in determining project allocations. KIA will receive $75,000 to administer the grant program.
The application deadline was Nov. 19, 2021, however KIA will make awards continuously throughout the year. All grant awardees must obligate the funds by Dec. 31, 2024.
The American Society of Civil Engineers in 2019 projected that Kentucky faces nearly $14.5 billion in water/wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years, including over $8.2 billion in drinking water upgrades and $6.2 billion in sewer system improvements.
Information about the Cleaner Water Program, as well as grants for broadband expansion, school facility upgrades and vocational education center renovations, can be found at governor.ky.gov/BetterKy.
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