BENTON / MAYFIELD / MURRAY, Ky – On Jan 26th, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced $15,095,059 in funding to Calloway, Graves and Marshall counties. The funding will improve vocational education, provide clean water, improve roadways and increase tourism funding in Western Kentucky.

Funding comes through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Cleaner Water Program (CWP), the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and the Better Schools Program.

“Investments in education and infrastructure, like clean water, roads and bridges provide Kentucky a solid foundation for building tomorrow’s economy, today,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “What excites me, as a rural Kentuckian, is that opportunity is coming to all corners of the commonwealth.”

Calloway County

• Dexter-Almo Heights Water District: $755,000 committed to providing clean drinking water for 85 households and replace 760 water meters.

“The Cleaner Water funding will allow us to move forward with two projects that will benefit hundreds of homes in the Kirksey area,” said Joe Dan Taylor, chairman of the Dexter-Almo Heights Water District. “For all families, this will be their first time being connected to public water. Our thanks to the state legislature, Calloway County Judge Executive Kenny Imes and Gov. Andy Beshear for working to fund this needed program.”

• Murray Convention & Visitors Bureau was awarded $158,002 in ARPA funding to boost tourism and the economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic.

“I am very pleased to take part in such a monumental announcement,” said Rep. Mary Beth Imes, who represents Calloway County and part of Trigg County. “I take great pride in the fact that the legislature has worked tirelessly to ensure funding opportunities like this are in place to benefit communities like ours. I look forward to seeing the much-needed updates that will be brought forth as a result of the work done by myself and my colleagues, and I thank the Governor and his administration for the opportunity to share this news with Calloway County and celebrate this announcement.”

“Recovering from the pandemic left our destination in an unknown path of how travelers move, where they want to be and the best means of connecting with them,” said Erin Carrico, executive director of the Murray Conventions & Visitors Bureau. “These ARPA funds allow us to create new strategies with a solid foundation of success we otherwise would have no means to afford. Not only can we recover, but we can make big marketing moves that were never an option for us in the past.”

Graves County

• Graves County Water District: $963,116 committed for improvements to the Hickory and Fancy Farm water tanks.
• Mayfield Electric & Water Systems: $963,116 committed to rehabilitate the Mayfield water treatment plant.

“We at Mayfield Electric & Water Systems and Graves County Water District would like to express that the grant funds from the Cleaner Water Program have made and will continue to make a lasting impact on our region,” said Brent Shultz, operations manager at Mayfield Electric and Water Systems. “The funding has made large projects possible that will assist in maintaining and improving the water distribution systems for a generation. We all know the need has never been greater than it is today for Mayfield and Graves County. We welcome these funds and hope to be considered for future funding. We appreciate the administration and the much-needed investment they have made in our region to assist in delivering clean and safe drinking water.”

• Symsonia Water District: $150,000 committed to refurbish a water tank.

“Our 75,000 gallon tank needs repairs, and this funding is going to help us make them,” said Jim Waid, manager of the Symsonia Water District. “We are committed to bringing high-quality water to all of our customers, and this project is helping us honor that commitment.”

• City of Wingo: $150,000 committed to rehabilitate the Austin Drive water tank.

“By rehabbing this water tank, we’re helping to ensure the health of our citizens,” said Mayor Charles Shelby. “Upgrading aging infrastructure that allows us to deliver clean water to the people of Wingo is of critical importance. Our thanks to everyone involved in securing this funding.”

• Mayfield Tourism Commission: $66,431 committed in ARPA funding to boost tourism and the economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic.

“The Mayfield-Graves County Tourism Commission is thrilled to receive these ARPA funds to design, purchase and install Way Finding Signage in a post-tornado community where clear direction is much-needed,” said Jennifer Beck Walker, executive director of Mayfield-Graves County Tourism. “These one-time grant funds will allow the Tourism Commission to pursue a path forward, alongside our community partners that we could not have financed otherwise – and we applaud the legislature and Gov. Beshear for making this possible.”

• Lt. Gov. Coleman also highlighted a recently completed project in Graves. County: $166,500 in funding through KYTC was used to resurface portions of Sand Hill Road and West Plains Road. This improved safety and travel conditions for over 36,000 people.

“I appreciate the Lieutenant Governor bringing attention to the funds we allocated to both bolster tourism and update our water infrastructure,” said Rep. Richard Heath, who represents Graves County and part of McCracken County. “After all, Kentuckians benefit when their elected officials work together on their behalf.”

“I would like to thank Gov. Beshear and his team for working hard on funding the resurfacing projects for Sand Hill Road and West Plains Road,” said Graves County Judge/Executive Jesse Perry. “We appreciate the work on these projects to allow our community to be safer as these roads were in much need of repair. The communities will benefit greatly from the resurfacing project.”

Marshall County

• $9,590,200 was awarded to Marshall County Schools through the Better Schools Program to expand and renovate the Marshall County High School Technical Center.

“The Better Schools funding will allow Marshall County Schools to expand our current Technical Center and improve and align our current programs,” said Dr. Steve Miracle, superintendent of Marshall County Schools. “Additionally, we are able to ensure that the center is ADA-compliant, and the instructional spaces are more efficient for our teachers and students.”

“Since 2017, Kentucky has and continues to receive significant outside economic investment and job creation, so we must continue addressing workforce challenges so that jobs can be filled,” said Sen. Danny Carroll, whose district includes Marshall County. “Our local vocational schools are vital in preparing a skilled workforce. Renovations to the Marshall County High School Technical Center help in that goal.”

He added: “I appreciate the Delta Regional Authority's investment in west Kentucky’s economic success. I’m thrilled to see the Kentucky General Assembly's further investment of one-time federal funds find their way to Marshall County – notably the additional $250 million allocated for cleaner water and wastewater improvement projects in the 2023-24 budget. Finally, Kentucky’s tourism industry took a significant hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased our Marshall County tourism commission will receive a share of funds to help bolster our local efforts.”

• Marshall County Fiscal Court was awarded $527,158 by DRA. This will be used to create safe traffic and access points in the industrial park development connecting to U.S. Hwy 641.
• North Marshall Water District: $480,779 committed to replacing approximately three miles of water mains that were damaged in the December 2021 tornado.

“The North Marshall Water District greatly appreciates the award of this Cleaner Water for Kentucky Program grant,” said Roger Colburn, general manager of the North Marshall Water District. “The funding will be integral to enable the district to proceed with a project to replace a portion of the North Marshall Water District’s distribution system within an area that suffered significant damage during the Dec. 10, 2021, tornado event. Rehabilitation of the system within the impacted area will facilitate reconstruction of the area and ensure a quality and reliable water supply for the future.”

• Calvert City: $480,779 committed to improving the water treatment plant replacing a water main.

“The funds committed today are going to improve our water treatment plant as well as replace a stretch of water main that has been prone to breaks,” said Mayor Gene Colburn. “We’re excited to make these upgrades to our water service that will benefit our city for years to come.”

• City of Hardin: $480,779 committed to be used for the next phase of the water treatment plant rehabilitation.
• Marshall County Tourism Commission was awarded $163,199 in ARPA funding to boost tourism and the economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic.

“We are very grateful for the collaboration and effort among our state's leadership to choose to make such a tremendous investment into Kentucky's tourism industry, especially here in Marshall County,” said Elena Blevins, executive director of the Kentucky Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are blessed to be located by such a beautiful piece of the commonwealth poised with so much potential for growth and development. This one-time investment will allow us to begin taking steps for the next chapter of tourism in Marshall and Kentucky Lake!”

About ARPA Tourism Funding
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, $75 million was supported by the Governor and allocated by the General Assembly in the 2022 legislative session. The funds are allocated by the Kentucky Department of Tourism to eligible tourism organizations throughout the commonwealth.

About the Cleaner Water Program
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, $500 million has been appropriated through a bipartisan agreement with the General Assembly to provide clean drinking water and wastewater grants to fund projects across Kentucky since 2021. The 2022 funding will be allocated 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. As a project progresses, the utility will be reimbursed by Cleaner Water Program funds.

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.