Funding will bolster water infrastructure, support workforce development

FRANKFORT, KY - On Oct. 22, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear celebrated $1,969,000 from the federal Delta Regional Authority (DRA) going to six projects in Western Kentucky. Gov. Beshear currently serves as the States’ Co-Chair of the DRA. The funding comes from the DRA’s States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP). The projects will improve infrastructure and support workforce development.

“Every dollar announced today will make life better for Kentuckians,” said Gov. Beshear. “These funds are improving our infrastructure, investing in our workforce and helping our people lead healthier lives. We are in an incredible window of opportunity in Kentucky, and we’re making progress in every corner of our commonwealth.”

“The States’ Economic Development Assistance Program is one of DRA’s most diverse tools that allow us to expand and invest in the resiliency of the region’s public infrastructure and workforce,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “As a result of this investment, over 300 jobs will be created or retained, over 200 people trained and over 10,000 residents impacted across five communities, improving resident’s quality of life and increasing economic prosperity in their communities.”

The following projects were recommended for funding to the DRA by Gov. Beshear:

- The city of Hanson was awarded more than $190,000 for a waterline project that will position the community for ongoing growth in business development, industry attractiveness and economic opportunities such as new jobs and additional revenue sources.
- The Henderson County Water District was awarded more than $227,000 for a water loss reduction project that will upgrade the county’s supervisory control and data acquisition system, which will enable the district to identify water loss and target repairs in an effort to provide reliable water services to its residents and businesses.
- The Henderson County Riverport was awarded more than $150,000 for an equipment acquisition project that will replace aging equipment with operational equipment, increasing the riverport’s efficiency and continued economic growth within the county.
- The Murray-Calloway County Industrial Authority was awarded $509,000 to construct an adult training facility designed to support unemployed and underemployed adults in acquiring essential skills that will serve a crucial role in the recovery efforts for tornado-stricken areas and the local shortage in skilled craft workers.
- The Crittenden-Livingston Water District was awarded $408,000 to support a water treatment plant expansion project that will allow for the construction of an additional clear well for the purposes of increasing storage capacity and water supply and alleviating a water shortage crisis.
- The Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville was awarded more than $485,000 to upgrade and replace medical equipment within the facility in an effort to provide better quality of care and services to its patients.

As one of DRA’s main investment tools, SEDAP provides annual direct investments for basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and workforce development. DRA coordinates directly with Gov. Beshear’s office and Kentucky’s Area Development Districts for program funding implementation.

Funding for this program is made available, in part, by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden – a key part of his Investing in America agenda to grow local economies from the middle out and bottom up and to create more resilient and healthier communities across the country.

For more information about SEDAP, visit dra.gov.