Gov. Beshear Announces Over $8.9 Million in Awards for McCracken County

Press Release

Today, continuing his commitment to invest in infrastructure and community development, Gov. 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

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