Funding supports access to clean water, community development, tourism and local nonprofits

Paducah, KY – On Jan 27th, continuing his commitment to invest in infrastructure and community development, Governor Andy Beshear announced over $8.9 million in awards for McCracken County to support Cleaner Water Program projects, tourism marketing, community development and local nonprofits.

“McCracken County is a destination loved by Kentuckians and travelers alike, and we’re making investments to ensure this Western Kentucky community sees ongoing success for generations to come,” Gov. Beshear said. “From delivering clean water – a basic human right – to supporting tourism, nonprofits and more, today’s investments are going to help create that brighter future our families deserve.”

“Gov. Beshear has been and continues to be a great friend to McCracken County,” said McCracken County Judge/Executive Craig Clymer. “He personally stays in close touch with us and is focused on providing assistance to our community on multiple projects.”

Cleaner Water Program Awards
Gov. Beshear announced the commitment of $4.1 million in Cleaner Water Program funds to projects in McCracken County.

Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency (JSA)

• $947,000 to rehabilitate existing sewer main in fiscal 2024.
• $946,827 to rehabilitate existing sewer main in fiscal 2025.
• $225,000 to upgrade the JSA’s Facility Plan, which is necessary to upgrade the Woodlawn Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• $177,500 for manhole repairs in the JSA system in 2023.
• $177,500 for manhole repairs in the JSA system in 2024.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Paducah McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency is very thankful for the funding of our projects,” said John Hodges, executive director of the JSA. “This funding will allow us to improve our system, as well as provide for some much-needed expansion, without impacting our ratepayers.”

Paducah Water

• $1 million to make improvements to the water treatment facility.
• $575,000 to improve two water storage tanks.
• $60,000 to help with the incorporation of the former West McCracken Water District’s infrastructure into Paducah Water’s hydraulic model.

Community Development Block Grant
Gov. Beshear awarded the City of Paducah $1 million in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) funds. The funds will help the city of Paducah, along with the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center, construct a new senior center in Paducah.

“On behalf of the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center, I would like to sincerely thank Gov. Beshear and our local leaders, including Mayor George Bray, for obtaining this grant money,” said David Troutman, Board Leader of the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center. “The money will be used to fund a new Senior Center building that our seniors will be very proud of.”

“The grant will be used for building a new, updated and safe senior center for seniors in our community,” said Robin Ross, assistant director of the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center.

Delta Regional Authority Award
Gov. Beshear also celebrated the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA) 2022 announcement of $1.7 million to the JSA. The federal funds will connect the new Barkley Regional Airport terminal and 20 homes to public sewer infrastructure. The funding comes from the DRA’s Capital Infrastructure Fund. Last October, Gov. Beshear highlighted the DRA’s total investment of $4.6 million in Kentucky in 2022.

Tourism Marketing Funding
Gov. Beshear awarded $565,297 to the Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau to support travel marketing and promotion. The funding is part of the $75 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding announced by the Governor in July to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic.

“Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau is delighted to receive a portion of the ARPA funds designated for tourism development by Gov. Beshear. Plans are already in place to utilize these funds toward creative marketing initiatives that will bring new visitors to the area,” said Mary Hammond, executive director of Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Paducah looks forward to working with other tourism offices, regionally and statewide, on multijurisdictional projects made possible by ARPA funding, which will create new tours and trails throughout the commonwealth.”

Nonprofit Assistance Fund
Gov. Beshear announced seven awards from his Nonprofit Assistance Fund, which helps organizations across Kentucky recover from the effects of the pandemic. The fund provides one-time direct relief payments to support long-term sustainability of eligible nonprofits.

• $23,124.32 for Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center Inc.
• $67,346 for Family Service Society
• $100,000 for Lifeline Recovery Center
• $5,832 for Made to Stay Paducah McCracken County
• $100,000 for Market House Theatre of Paducah Kentucky Inc.
• $100,000 for National Quilt Museum Inc.
• $59,932 for Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club Inc.
• $100,000 for Paducah Alliance of Neighbors
• $21,372 for Paducah Quilt Murals Inc.
• $100,000 for Paducah Symphony Orchestra
• $57,807 for Paducah-McCracken County Habitat for Humanity Inc.
• $100,000 for Rape Victim Services Inc. DBA Lotus
• $69,308.74 for Rosary Chapel of Paducah, KY, Inc.
• $100,000 for St. Francis De Sales Parish of Paducah, Kentucky
• $37,741.66 for St. John the Evangelist Parish of St. John, KY
• $100,000 for  St. Thomas More Parish of Paducah, Kentucky
• $100,000 for The Salvation Army of Paducah
• $100,000 for Western Kentucky Regional Mental Health Board Inc. DBA Four Rivers Behavioral Health
• $100,000 for Women Aware Inc. DBA Merryman House
• $24,216 for Yeiser Art Center

Legislator Quotes

“I’m thankful to take part in the announcement of these awards for McCracken County,” said Rep. Randy Bridges. “The programs announced on Jan 27th, will go a long way to improve the quality of life in our community.”

“It is a very exciting opportunity to join my colleagues who also represent McCracken County in announcing such a vital infrastructure update,” said Rep. Chris Freeland, who represents Lyon and Marshall counties, as well as a portion of McCracken County. “Access to clean drinking water as well as grant funding for an array of projects has been a priority for the legislature for quite some time, and it is uplifting to see these projects come to fruition, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share this news.”

“The programs announced on Jan 27th, will play a huge role in the restoration of our community following the December 2021 tornadoes,” Rep. Richard Heath said. “I am happy that the funding is going towards programs that will benefit McCracken County for years to come.”

“I consider it an honor to announce such integral funding coming to our district,” said Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, who represents the 1st House district. “The legislature has played a vital role in securing different grant opportunities that benefit citizens all over the state, and I take pride in the fact some of that money is coming home to McCracken County. I look forward to seeing projects take place as a result of this broad array of funding.”

Nonprofit Leader Quotes

“Made to Stay, a membership organization, is now in its 8th year of operation. We’re giving seniors in our community the opportunity to remain in their own homes longer and enjoy a better quality of life. It is thrilling to be a part of such a worthy endeavor. We’re thankful for the opportunity to receive these funds; that will allow us to continue to operate and serve the seniors in the Paducah/McCracken County area,” said Executive Director Sarah Walker.

“When the Governor and First Lady made a visit to the National Quilt Museum on a late afternoon this summer, I had to apologize to them, as we had to all customers for weeks, because one of our HVAC units had broken irreparably. Part of our Team Kentucky NPA grant went to that very purpose. However, we also used funds to support our staff and build our programs to benefit both our local community and to continue to serve as a tourism development engine in our region,” said CEO Matt Collinsworth.

Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club of Paducah Executive Director James Ouderkirk said, “The funds received from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund will help the club continue our mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need us the most, to be all that they can be as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The funds will allow us to grow and identify opportunities to expand and offer even more programming to our youth.”

Paducah Symphony Orchestra CEO Reece King said, “These funds along with other COVID relief funding have been vital to our sustainability and recovery from the pandemic.”

“We are so thankful for the award from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund,” said Paducah Alliance of Neighbors Director Sharon Poat. “These funds largely replace local operating funds we were expecting in 2020, which were not available as a result of COVID disruptions. With these Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance funds, our organization will be able to increase our staffing and capacity, helping to make our home repair programs for low-income homeowners and our program constructing homes for income-qualified, first-time homebuyers larger and more efficient.”

“With the impact of COVID on local fundraising, the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Funding has been critical for the success of our Lotus mission this year. These funds are helping ensure victim-survivors of child abuse and sexual violence across the Purchase Area receive the specialized care and holistic resources they need to truly heal and reclaim their lives,” said Lori Wells Brown, executive director of Lotus.

Four Rivers Behavioral Health staff said, “We are greatly appreciative of the funding that we received and Gov. Beshear’s efforts to assist us and all nonprofits in Kentucky. The funding aided us in continuing the important work that we do in the area of mental health, substance use services and our work with the IDD population. Thank you.”

“The pandemic not only put Kentucky’s children at a greater risk of abuse, but also added another layer of trauma for existing child abuse victims,” said Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center Executive Director Janie Criner. “As a result, demand for our services is increasing at a time when funding is decreasing.  Our award from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund will help us meet the need for our mental health therapy and CASA advocacy services and will support our mission to give all children in our community a chance to have the childhood they deserve. Thank you, Team Kentucky, for recognizing the value of the services that nonprofits provide for Kentuckians.”

“The Paducah-McCracken County Habitat for Humanity was thrilled to receive an award from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund,” said Executive Director Brenda Langlois. “The need for decent, affordable housing is great. We are currently building Habitat House No. 75 for a single mother with three children. The money will help us build this house. We are always raising money to build more houses. We greatly appreciate this Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund award and will put it to use changing lives through home ownership. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.”

“Funding from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund will help Yeiser Art Center continue to provide exhibitions, educational programs and artistic events to the community. As Paducah’s oldest nonprofit arts organization, we are going strong in our 66th year and are very grateful for the financial support from the State of Kentucky,” said Executive Director Lexie Millikan.

Father Emmanuel Udoh, pastor of Rosary Chapel in Paducah, said, “We are eternally grateful for the nonprofit partnerships with the Commonwealth that have helped us in our mission to accompany impoverished and marginalized Kentuckians into a better future.”

“The Salvation Army expresses our gratitude to the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund and Gov. Beshear. These funds will allow us to continue ‘Doing the Most Good’ in McCracken County, where people come to us in times of both personal and natural disasters. We thank the Governor for consistently thinking of and meeting the needs of our neighbors,” said Salvation Army Lt. David Donegan, corps officer, Paducah.

“The $100,000 grant from the Team Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund will help Lifeline expand its recovery services to reach more men and women with drug and alcohol addictions. “We are very grateful for this significant assistance, the first-ever state grant awarded to Lifeline,” said Lifeline Recovery Center Executive Director Ashley Miller.

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 distributed 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 Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Program
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated Kentucky’s Department for Local Government $38 million to help communities prevent, prepare for and respond to the Coronavirus pandemic from the CDBG-CV program. The CDBG-CV program guidelines can be found here.

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. DRA’s Community Infrastructure Fund targets physical infrastructure projects that help build safer, more resilient communities in the Delta region.