CAMPBELLSVILLE / GREENSBURG / MUNFORDVILLE, Ky. (Oct. 26, 2022) – Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman delivered $16,595,296 in infrastructure and education funding to Green, Hart and Taylor counties. The funding comes through Gov. Andy Beshear’s Cleaner Water Program, his Better Schools Program, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Transportation Alternatives Program.

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

Green County
In Green County, the Lieutenant Governor awarded:

• $6,738,200 to the Green County School District through the Better Schools Program, part of Gov. Beshear’s Better Kentucky Plan. The funding will be used to renovate and expand the Green County Area Technical Center, which serves more than 500 students. 
• $1.7 million to the Green-Taylor Water District through the Cleaner Water Program, part of Gov. Beshear’s Better Kentucky Plan. Approximately 3,500 feet of waterline will be constructed to provide clean water to 76 unserved households for the first time, in Green, LaRue, Adair and Metcalfe counties.
• $285,000 to the Green-Taylor Water District through the Cleaner Water Program. This will be used to rehabilitate the Summersville Booster Pump Station.
• $116,820 to the Green-Taylor Water District through the Cleaner Water Program. This funding will be used to rehabilitate the Pikeview water storage tank located in the Gresham community.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news for Green County,” Green County Judge/Executive John Frank said. “Making sure people here have access to clean water is both the right and smart thing to do. These funds are going to help our community for decades.”

“We are thrilled to accept the Better Schools Program funding to be utilized for additions and renovations at the Green County Area Technology Center,” Green County Schools Superintendent Will Hodges said. “This funding will expand opportunities for the students of Green County and surrounding communities. Our district is one of 14 districts to receive a ‘very high’ rating on postsecondary readiness. This funding will continue to help us ensure that students leave our institution prepared for college or a career.”

Hart County
In Hart County, the Lieutenant Governor awarded:

• $720,700 to Hart County through KYTC. This funding will be used to resurface portions of Davis Bend Road, Pleasant Hill Road, Dennison Ferry Road, Shelton Road, Sam Goodman Road, John Hornback Road, Commanche Drive, East Sullivan Road, BF Richardson Road and Cherokee Road.
• $434,576 to the City of Horse Cave through TAP. New 6-foot sidewalks will be constructed along Main Street from Peebles Street to North Dixie Street. The sidewalks will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and improve safety and ease of transportation for several neighborhoods and the Greenwood apartment complex.

“Upgrading our local communities with higher quality roads provides access where businesses can grow and families can flourish,” Sen. David Givens of Greensburg said. “I’m delighted to see so many improvements in Hart County that will have a positive effect for our small business owners and their families.”

“I’m grateful that the Lieutenant Governor is bringing attention to how these projects will benefit Hart County,” Rep. Brandon Reed of Hodgenville said. “I am proud of the work our budget committee put into figuring out how we can make the biggest impact with every dollar we allocate and look forward to continuing that approach as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee.”

“This funding is a game-changer for Hart County,” Hart County Judge/Executive Joe Choate said.

“Making sure our roads are safe is a fundamental responsibility of government. Our road infrastructure is taking a big step forward because of today’s announcement.”

“I am truly elated about the announcement of the sidewalk grant awarded to Horse Cave,” Horse Cave Mayor Randall Curry said. “This will allow Horse Cave to replace sidewalks that are not compatible for motorized wheelchairs and improve the ability of walking traffic to be able to navigate on level and wider surfaces.”

Taylor County
In Taylor County, the Lieutenant Governor awarded:

• $6.6 million to the Taylor County School District through the Better Schools Program, part of Gov. Beshear’s Better Kentucky Plan. The funding will be used to renovate, expand and add programming at the Central Kentucky Career Academy, which serves more than 275 students.

“This is precisely the kind of investment we must make in our students today,” Sen. Max Wise of Campbellsville said. “The late state Rep. Bam Carney and the Taylor County School District leadership laid the foundation years ago for students to achieve their academic goals and these dollars will continue to reap benefits for Kentucky residents.”

“This is an instant where the needed infrastructure creates exponential opportunities in our communities, and I am especially delighted to see upgrades to our vocational schools where so many young people can learn a trade, find a vocation and become contributing members of their communities,” Sen. David Givens of Greensburg said.

“This is the next step in fulfilling a commitment to Kentucky students looking to learn skills that will help them find a successful path to the workforce,” Rep. Michael Sarge Pollock of Campbellsville said. “I’m proud of the legislature for allocating the money and appreciate the administration’s role in getting it out to the vocational schools who need it. This is yet another part of Bam Carney’s legacy and I am honored to see it become reality.”

“This money is going to help people in our community find opportunities and get good jobs,” Taylor County Judge/Executive Barry Smith said. “We want to thank the state for this transformational investment. It’s going to do a lot of good for years to come.”

“We feel honored to be chosen as a recipient of Better Schools Program grant funds from the State of Kentucky,” Taylor County Schools Superintendent Charles Higdon Jr. said. “It is our full intention to further utilize these funds to continue the creation of the most highly efficient and effective career development program in the commonwealth. Our program will offer opportunities to students, as well as adults, and specifically work to eliminate joblessness and financial hardships, which have generationally plagued many families throughout our community and state. Additionally, our partnership with Campbellsville University to offer an even higher level of seamless career and technical certifications, will prove to be a model collaboration for the state of Kentucky. I praise God for the blessing!”

About the Transportation Alternatives Program
TAP is a federally funded reimbursement program administered through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Local Programs. Funding supports non-motorized forms of transportation to improve connectivity, accessibility, safety and equity in communities. Transportation projects commonly include bicycle and pedestrian pathways, ADA compliance, Safe Routes to School and wildlife mitigation. The program covers 80% of the project cost.

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.

About the Local Area Vocational Education Centers Program
As part of his Better Kentucky Plan, Gov. Beshear awarded Kentucky school districts $75 million to upgrade Vocational Education Centers. The grants were approved by the Kentucky School Facilities Construction Commission Board.