Gov. Beshear makes stop in our region, announces $4.1 million in funding for communities

Gov. Beshear at Highlands Museum and Discovery Center(WSAZ)
Published: Jan. 30, 2023 at 2:55 PM EST

ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear made a stop in our region Monday afternoon, announcing $4.1 in funding for infrastructure improvements throughout Boyd County.

The governor stopped at Highlands Museum and Discovery Center in Ashland. He gave a presentation to various agencies and presented checks to local officials.

Beshear presented $4.1 million to local governments, utilities, tourism agencies and nonprofits in Boyd County “as part of his commitment to improve infrastructure and invest in communities across the commonwealth.”

Funding comes from the Better Kentucky Plan’s Cleaner Water Program and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The City of Ashland was awarded $719,000 to replace an aging section of water main that serves downtown Ashland and Catlettsburg, and $300,000 is going toward improving two aging pump stations and adding a new pump station in Ashland.

The City of Catlettsburg was awarded $150,000 for system-wide pump station improvements.

The Cannonsburg Water District is getting $656,599 to replace waterline in the Shoppes Creek area and $250,000 to extend a waterline to serve an area that’s ready for development leading up to the Eastpark Industrial site.

Boyd County Sanitation District No. 4 is getting $856,000 for improvements to the Camps Landing pump station.

The Ashland Tourism and Convention Commission was awarded more than $121,000, and the Boyd County Tourism and Convention Bureau was awarded nearly $143,000.

Thirteen local nonprofit groups, including Ashland Community Kitchen, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and the Salvation Army of Northeast Kentucky also received funds.

“Clean water is a basic human right,” Beshear said in the release. “As Governor, and also as a dad, I want to make sure all of our families can turn on their faucets and know that water is safe to give their children. That’s exactly why we’re here in Ashland today, and we’re also providing funding to boost tourism in this region and support 13 local nonprofits.”

The governor also stopped by Boyd County High School during his visit to tout his education plan.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear visits Boyd County High School on Monday.(WSAZ/Andrew Colegrove)