The latest Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) drinking and wastewater grants will fund projects that benefit several cities, including Frankfort, Lawrenceburg, Martin, Prestonsburg, Salyersville, and Wheelwright.

Monday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that $174,000 would help connect the City of Martin’s Southern Water Sewer District water lines near ARH Our Lady of the Way Hospital. The connection will provide an emergency backup water supply if the City of Prestonsburg’s supply gets interrupted in a crisis.

“John F. Kennedy said that a rising tide raises all ships; well, I want to expand on that,” Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton said. “The rising tide only raises the ships that are seaworthy. These investments that we are receiving will make our region even more capable of growing with the industrial and commercial growth that Kentucky is experiencing.”

Monday announcements also included the following:

• $327,924 for Prestonsburg City’s Utilities Commission to replace aging remote-read water meters
• $137,359 for repairs to the Wheelwright wastewater treatment plant
• $190,000 in Wheelwright water source renovations
• $80,000 to upgrade the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system in Salyersville
• $55,000 to extend the sewer line along Route 30 from Route 460 to the Mountain Parkway

Tuesday’s announcements included $1,872,698 for the City of Frankfort to consolidate several small, aging pump stations and add system capacity to accommodate the future receipt of the Farmdale Sewer District wastewater flow.

“This funding for the Farmdale Sanitation Project will advance the health and safety of over 1,000 households in our community by creating a centralized transmission system to send sewage to the City of Frankfort Sewer Department for treatment,” said Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson. “This infrastructure upgrade will immediately improve lives and add value to properties in the area.”

KIA awarded $602,407 to the City of Lawrenceburg for increased sewer system capacity.

“This project will replace three dilapidated lift stations and eliminate multiple sewer overflows, which in return will improve the environment and enhance the quality of life for our citizens,” said Lawrenceburg City Engineer Monty Rhody.

Wednesday’s announcements included the following:

• $2,093,531 to the City of Georgetown for the northwest bypass water line expansion;
• $62,000 to the City of Cynthiana for replacement of the Country Club Area pump station;
• $269,287 to the City of Cynthiana for industrial park water tank and water treatment plant upgrade.

Thursday’s announcement included the following:

• $451,480 for the City of Pikeville to construct a carbon feeder, backwash system, and high service pump to upgrade the existing water treatment plant.
• $57,403 to the City of Elkhorn City to construct 1,050 feet of new water line along West Main Street.

Friday, the KIA announced a $5 million grant for the Winchester Municipal Utilities Commission to replace inadequate sewer line segments. The project will increase capacity, eliminate sanitary sewer overflows, and allow development near the Kentucky Route 627 and Interstate 64 interchange.

“The City of Winchester very much appreciates Governor Beshear’s visit to our community and the investments he brings with him that will enhance and improve both the infrastructure and quality of life for the City of Winchester and Clark County,” said Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner.

Other Friday announcements included:

• $76,512 to the City of Owingsville for a lagoon system cleaning project and $76,513 to replace approximately 5,850 feet of existing aging water line
• $76,513 for the City of Sharpsburg to provide security upgrades at the package treatment plant

The General Assembly allotted $250 million of Kentucky’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Fund for drinking and wastewater grants in Senate Bill 36 during the 2021 session. The grants will fund planning, design, and construction for water and sewer projects with social, economic, or environmental impacts.

In a call with mayors two weeks ago, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said communities had applied for $704 million in water and wastewater projects.

The deadline to apply was November 19.