Governor also awards funding to resurface road and expand tourism in Rowan County

MOREHEAD, Ky – On Dec 6th, Governor Andy Beshear joined local officials to cut the ribbon on a new police and 911 facility in Morehead. Gov. Beshear also announced $87,550 for the resurfacing of a portion of Williams Branch Road, which was completed in October, and awarded $100,326 to Morehead-Rowan County Tourism to bolster the county’s tourism industry.

“On Dec 6th, we celebrated the opening of a brand-new facility that will keep Kentuckians safe,” said Gov. Beshear. “On top of that, we’re improving our road infrastructure and helping Morehead and Rowan County attract outside visitors. We’re building a better Kentucky for all our communities, where every single family can thrive.”

New Police and 911 Facility
Gov. Beshear joined local officials to cut the ribbon on a new police and 911 facility in Morehead. The new building is located at 309 W. Main St. This is the newest facility in the region and will serve Rowan County as well as neighboring communities for training purposes.

“I’m so excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Morehead Chief of Police Derrick Blevins. “It has been talked about and needed for over 20 years. This is a great day for our community, law enforcement personnel and all agencies across the commonwealth.”

This is the first building ever built specifically for law enforcement in Morehead. The facility has a fitness area, a K-9 unit, a decontamination area and a 911 dispatch center that also serves as a storm shelter. It is Morehead’s biggest project ever to be completed, with a total of $8 million invested.

“This is the first time the Morehead Police Department has ever been in a new facility,” said Mayor Laura White-Brown. “This is a huge achievement for not only Morehead and Rowan County, but the entire region. Communities in Eastern Kentucky now have an incredible asset to keep our residents safe.”

Resurfacing of Williams Branch Road
The Rowan County Fiscal Court received $87,550 in discretionary funds to resurface nearly 2 miles of Williams Branch Road. Gov. Beshear delivered the ceremonial check for this project on Dec 6th, but the resurfacing was completed at the end of October. Gov. Beshear said he was proud that families in this community were already benefitting from the funding. The county road ranked among the poorest condition roads in Rowan County and had not been resurfaced in more than 15 years. The project improved the safety of the road and provided a renewed roadway motorists will enjoy for years to come.

“The highly traveled route is used by school buses, garbage trucks and agricultural equipment that cause additional wear on the road,” said Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark. “The safety and well-being of our children and citizens are a top priority, and we’re thankful for the funding that made it possible to restore safe and smooth conditions on this road.

A funding request was submitted to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Rural and Municipal Aid. It was evaluated by highway district staff, who considered such factors as safety, traffic volume and economic impact.

Morehead-Rowan County Tourism
Gov. Beshear also awarded $100,326 to Morehead-Rowan County Tourism to support travel marketing and promotion. The funding is part of the $75 million in 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.

“As we emerged from the pandemic, one thing was certain: We needed to continue to capture the outdoor enthusiasts and the one-tank travelers. When the funding opportunity was announced, my team and I developed a robust and competitive grant proposal for marketing and advertising,” said Executive Director of Morehead-Rowan County Tourism Joy Brown. “We are beyond thrilled, with Gov. Beshear’s leadership, we will receive funding to market in ways we never thought achievable.” 

About ARPA Tourism Funding
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), $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.