The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) awarded the first grant from the Clean Water Program to the Shelbyville Municipal Water and Sewer Commission. Shelbyville Mayor David Eaton appeared at a news conference with Governor Andy Beshear, Senator Paul Hornback (R-Shelbyville), and others to announce the $1.8 million project.

“This project is essential for continued residential, commercial, and industrial growth in our community and will enable us to continue the quality service that we offer to our citizens,” said Mayor Eaton.

The commission will use the grant to build a new 36-inch gravity sewer main to the new Shelbyville wastewater treatment plant. The new sewer main will replace two sewage pumping stations. Shelby County Judge/Executive Dan Ison said the existing wastewater treatment plant is nearing 90% capacity. A second treatment plant is under design with construction to be completed in 2023.

This KIA funding is the first grant connected to a program Kentucky introduced in June that includes $250 million in drinking and wastewater grants. The General Assembly allocated the money through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Fund.

“I am overjoyed about this project and the benefits it will bring to our home city. In the Kentucky General Assembly, my colleagues and I were committed to making needed investments in our infrastructure, including expanding broadband, improving our highways and roadways, and ensuring funding for water and sewer projects essential to Kentuckians’ health and economic well-being,” said Hornback. “I am excited about the residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities this can present for our community.”

Go here to apply for drinking and wastewater grants.

Go here to see how much of the $150 million each county is allotted by population.