FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 13, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $4.6 million in Delta Regional Authority funding to support eight projects that will create or retain 57 jobs, train 36 Kentuckians and improve the lives of nearly 6,000 families across Western Kentucky.
“The Delta Regional Authority has been a key partner to Western Kentucky for years, and we are thankful for their continued investment,” Gov. Beshear said. “The projects receiving funding will benefit our Western Kentucky communities for decades to come improving infrastructure, supporting workforce training and business development, as well as enhancing health care access in rural areas.”
The Delta Regional Authority works to improve economic opportunity and create jobs in 252 counties and parishes in the eight-state Delta region. The authority is investing in these key projects through the States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), which provides direct investment into community-based and regional projects that support basic public and transportation infrastructure, workforce training and education and small-business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. The funding is through the Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), which targets physical infrastructure projects that help build safer, more resilient communities in the Delta region.
As announced and described by the DRA, the following four projects will be funded by SEDAP:
- Southwest One Alternate Entrance, Benton
The Marshall County Fiscal Court will use $527,158 to create safe traffic and access points in the industrial park development connecting to U.S. Highway 641.
- Henderson Community College Advanced Manufacturing Lab Expansion, Henderson
Henderson Community College will use $650,501 to purchase training equipment to double the capacity of its Advanced Manufacturing Center Lab to meet the urgent demands of local manufacturers and increase the skilled talent pipeline. This investment is projected to train 16 individuals.
- Ag Center Lift Station Project Phase 2, Greenville
The City of Greenville will use $387,772 for wastewater treatment plant improvements to support future economic development in the Greenville and Powderly areas. This investment is projected to retain two jobs and positively impact 2,646 families.
- Community Medical Clinic X-Ray Equipment Project, Princeton
The Community Medical Clinic will use $120,957 to purchase X-ray equipment for its rural health care clinics in Hopkinsville and Princeton. This investment is projected to create two jobs and retain two jobs.
As announced and described by the DRA, the following four projects will be funded by CIF:
- Joint Sewer Agency – Barkley Regional Airport Sewer Extension, Paducah
The Paducah McCracken Joint Sewer Agency will use $1,771,285 to connect the new Barkley Regional Airport terminal and 20 homes to public sewer infrastructure. This investment is projected to retain 25 jobs, train 20 individuals and positively impact 20 families.
- Casey Jones Distillery Expansion Utility Project, Hopkinsville
The Christian County Fiscal Court will use $58,785 to assist with the upgrade of water and electric utilities to provide enough capacity to accommodate an expansion project being undertaken by Casey Jones Distillery. This investment is projected to create 12 jobs.
- Marion Wastewater Treatment Plant, Marion
The City of Marion will use $1,013,860 to construct a new 1.5 million gallons per day wastewater treatment plant. This investment is projected to retain two jobs and positively impact 1,335 families.
- Water Treatment Plant Sludge Diversion Project, Morganfield
The City of Morganfield will use $163,325 to install a new pipeline, three manholes and four sluice gates. This investment is projected to positively impact 1,959 families.
Department for Local Government Commissioner and Kentucky authority designee and alternate Dennis Keene said DRA remains a crucial partner for the commonwealth.
“Improving infrastructure, training our workforce and ensuring equitable access to health care are all ways we are moving Kentucky forward,” said Commissioner Keene. “DRA funding is helping us provide more opportunities to Western Kentuckians.”
About the Delta Regional Authority
The DRA is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River Delta region and Alabama Black Belt. DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training and business development. DRA’s mission is to help create jobs, build communities and improve the lives of those residing in the eight-state region’s 252 counties and parishes.
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