BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Today, at Bowling Green High School, Gov. Andy Beshear presented more than $22.5 million to support career and technical education, cleaner water projects, law enforcement, tourism and nonprofits in Warren County.

“Every dollar committed to Warren County today will make someone’s life better,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’re bolstering our educational facilities, critical infrastructure, protecting law enforcement, bringing more people to Kentucky and uplifting some amazing organizations. Days like today are helping to build a better Kentucky for everyone.”

“A test of a community’s strength is how well their people take care of each other when times are tough. Our character has been tested through COVID, tornadoes, hard freezes, floods and windstorms, yet we remain resilient and united,” said Mayor Todd Alcott. “As Bowling Green’s mayor, I’m grateful to our government leaders and local nonprofits that have continuously endured and tirelessly aided our citizens through hard times. I am grateful to Gov. Beshear for recognizing the need to fiscally and physically support our nonprofits and our local governments. Together we are Bowling Green Strong and Kentucky Strong.”

Career and Technical Education
The Governor presented $8.3 million to the Bowling Green Independent School District to build a career and technical education center on the campus of Bowling Green High School. The General Fund allocation was passed by the General Assembly and supported by the Governor.

“We appreciate the work of the Beshear Administration and the 2022 General Assembly with the Better Kentucky Plan, which provided funding for the Bowling Green Local Area Vocational Education Center,” said Gary Fields, superintendent of the Bowling Green Independent School District. “This new facility on the campus of Bowling Green High School will create additional vocational and career opportunities for students in the areas of industrial maintenance, technology and early childhood education. We look forward to continuing partnerships in our community, working together to support students and staff.”

Cleaner Water Program
Gov. Beshear also announced the commitment of $8.1 million in funds for utilities in Warren County. The funding will come from the Cleaner Water Program, which is administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority.

The funding will go toward the following projects:

    $4,086,720 to Bowling Green Municipal Utilities to upgrade outdated service lines and improve old water meter equipment across town; and
    $4,086,720 to the Warren County Water District to replace outdated waterlines, upgrade pump stations and construct two new water storage tanks.

“We appreciate the Governor’s leadership, with support of the General Assembly, allocating American Rescue Plan funds to water infrastructure projects,” said Mark Iverson, general manager Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU). “BGMU is pleased to receive this funding to replace aging water infrastructure. We also appreciate the efforts of all the state agencies and personnel that have made this funding possible. BGMU is proud to be Bowling Green’s trusted water supplier, and we look forward to completing the work in a timely and financially responsible manner.”

“The funding allocated by Gov. Beshear will assist in capacity improvements in multiple areas of Warren County,” said Jacob Cuarta, general manager of the Warren County Water District. “These projects will ensure that Warren Water will meet the needs of our rapidly growing community for years to come.”

Funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 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 the project progresses, the utility will be reimbursed by Cleaner Water Program funds.

Tourism Marketing Funding
Gov. Beshear awarded $2,584,862 to the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for destination marketing and to attract meetings and conventions.

He also awarded $600,000 to Warren County to support multicounty collaborative destination marketing.

The collaborative tourism projects include the following:

    $200,000 to the Team Kentucky project, the number one source for attracting and retaining sports tourism events to the commonwealth. The additional funding will help rebranding efforts and continue to encourage sports tourism in Kentucky through promotion and marketing.

    $100,000 to the Kentucky Americana Triangle project. With five participating jurisdictions, this project aims to tap into heritage tourism interest, focusing on several United States heritage-based attractions, local eateries and shops in Central and Western Kentucky.

    $100,000 to the Just Add Water project, which will encourage travelers to add water-based attractions and activities to their trips across the commonwealth through a passport program. 

   $100,000 to the Western Kentucky Winery Trail, which will highlight wineries throughout Western Kentucky along the HWY 68-80 corridor.

    $100,000 to the Trains Trail. This tourism trail will focus on engaging and increasing visitor interest in the history and relevance of trains with train-focused featured attractions.

“The entire Bowling Green area is benefitting from ARPA funding. Not only are we participating in twelve multi-jurisdictional projects, but our office received direct funding for marketing the area to visitors who will, in turn, spend their money on our community's businesses,” said Sherry Murphy, executive director of the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have already begun focusing on meetings and conventions that have not been met in our area before. This funding will truly assist in getting new business to our area. The economic impact created will have long-lasting results for the hospitality industry and go far in the recovery from the devastating years of the pandemic.”

“We are elated to receive funds for these multi-jurisdiction initiatives that will truly connect communities across our commonwealth in the areas of both sports tourism and aquatic experiences in Kentucky,” said Brooke Jung, executive director of the Hopkinsville/Christian County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “These ARPA recovery funds will truly make a lasting impact as our cities and counties work together to create new opportunities for visitors and residents to make lifelong memories in the Bluegrass.”

“The Bowling Green area is participating in twelve projects receiving ARPA multi-jurisdictional funds,” said Sherry Murphy, executive director of the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The economic impact created will have long-lasting results for the hospitality industry and go far in the recovery from the devastating years of the pandemic.”

“The beauty of the multi-jurisdictional ARPA funds is that the projects awarded not only benefit the multiple communities involved but allow tourism commissions that might not normally work together the ability to collaborate and promote what they are highlighting as a travel destination,” said Vanessa Ulm, executive director of the Edmonson County Tourism Commission.

“The Caves, Lakes and Corvettes Region is thankful for the monies provided by the state allocation for tourism commissions to recover from the effects of the pandemic,” said Amy Ellis, executive director of the Simpson County Tourism Commission. “Our region will use these funds to highlight the attractions and beautiful landscape of the ten counties in this region and to promote tourism into these areas.”

The funding is part of the $75 million in ARPA funding the Governor announced in July to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic. The funding was supported by the Governor and allocated by the General Assembly in the 2022 legislative session. The money was distributed by the Kentucky Department of Tourism to eligible tourism organizations throughout the commonwealth.

Law Enforcement Protection Program
Gov. Beshear announced $266,613.64 in funding to the City of Bowling Green from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security through the Law Enforcement Protection Program. The funds will be used to better protect police officers.

Nonprofit Assistance Fund
The Governor awarded more than $2.6 million to 34 nonprofits in Warren County. The awards come from the Nonprofit Assistance Fund, which is helping organizations across Kentucky recover from the effects of the pandemic. The funding comes from ARPA, and Gov. Beshear supported the allocation of funds by the 2022 General Assembly. This fund will provide one-time direct relief payments to support the mission and long-term sustainability of each eligible nonprofit.

Gov. Beshear presented the following awards:

    $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Bowling Green/Warren County;
    $100,000 to Cumberland Trace Legal Services Inc., doing business as Kentucky Legal Aid;
    $100,000 to Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education;
    $100,000 to the Salvation Army of Bowling Green;
    $100,000 to the Western Kentucky Foundation;
    $100,000 to the Friends of L&N Depot;
    $100,000 to HOTEL Inc.;
    $100,000 to Barren River Area Safe Space;
    $100,000 to the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center;
    $100,000 to Hope House Ministries;
    $100,000 to Legacy Christian Academy;
    $100,000 to LifeWorks at Western Kentucky University;
    $100,000 to the Foundry Christian Community Center;
    $100,000 to Broadway United Methodist Church;
    $100,000 to Hospice of Southern Kentucky;
    $100,000 to Aviation Heritage Park;
    $100,000 to Gasper River Catholic Retreat Center;
    $100,000 to Holy Spirit Parish of Bowling Green;
    $100,000 to Arts of Southern Kentucky;
    $100,000 to Friends of the Lost River;
    $100,000 to the National Corvette Museum;
    $94,819 to Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky;
    $92,346 to Connected Nation;
    $71,911.28 to Hope Harbor;
    $56,680 to Kentucky Kids on the Block;
    $43,763 to Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky;
    $41,197 to Arts for All Kentucky;
    $31,203 to Court Appointed Special Advocates of South Central Kentucky;
    $26,632 to Hobson House Association;
    $15,604 to SOKY Patriots;
    $14,458 to the Public Theatre of Kentucky;
    $14,212.16 to St. Joseph’s Parish of Bowling Green;
    $5,595 to Habilitation Information Vocation & Education; and
    $3,951.39 to the St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center of Bowling Green.

“Seeing so many of our well-deserving nonprofits receive funding, as well as facets in our tourism, infrastructure and education industries is something to be excited about,” said Rep. Robert Duvall of Bowling Green. “This funding will be vital to helping those that help us and create change that will be felt for years to come.”

“I am very pleased to take part in such an exciting announcement,” said Rep. Kevin Jackson of Bowling Green. “This much-needed funding for our water infrastructure, as well as our nonprofits, will surely benefit our entire community, and I cannot wait to see projects take shape as a result.”

“Our nonprofits serve as an integral part of our community, just as they do in communities across our state and nation,” said Rep. Shawn McPherson of Scottsville. “This funding granted for not only our nonprofits, but our cleaner water infrastructure projects and vocational education facilities will leave a long-lasting imprint on Warren County.”

“ARPA funds are a silver lining from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the legislature continues to maintain their proper use a priority,” said Rep. Michael Meredith of Oakland. “I am pleased to see these vital assets in our community receive this funding. Our LAVEC facilities provide an excellent opportunity for young men and women seeking a career in a trade industry, and it will be exciting to see the updates this funding will provide for our vocational center.”