City of Berea Receives $1,000,000 Community Development Block Grant

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2019) – The Department for Local Government (DLG) has announced a $1,000,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the City of Berea.

The federal funds will allow the city to design and replace three submersible pumps and associated control equipment in the Walnut Meadow Pump Station. The project will also involve the rerouting of the South Middletown Trunk Sewer and the installation of an emergency generation and solar panel at the Walnut Meadow Pump Station.

The pump station and the force main are in two of Berea’s largest wastewater collection basins. The South Middletown Trunk Sewer is currently over capacity, which has resulted in hundreds of sanitary sewer overflows since 2016.

“These improvements will help alleviate the recurring overflows, which pose a threat to both public health and the environment,” said DLG Commissioner Sandra K. Dunahoo, who also serves as chair of the KIA Board. “Ultimately, this project will serve more than 1,600 customers that rely on these facilities to collect and process wastewater.”

“I’m pleased that the Department for Local Government has chosen to support Berea with these federal funds,” Sen. Jared Carpenter said. “The issue of aging infrastructure is one communities across the Commonwealth and across the country are having to grapple with. I’m grateful that grant funding is available to take on some of these costly projects.”

“This is a smart investment that will improve local services in Berea, to the benefit of all of our citizens,” Rep. Deanna Frazier said. “I would like to thank the Department of Local Government for their support of our community.”

About the Community Development Block Grant Program

The CDBG program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides assistance to communities for use in revitalizing neighborhoods, expanding affordable housing and economic opportunities, providing infrastructure and/or improving community facilities and services.

About the Department for Local Government

Funds are administered by DLG, an arm of the Office of the Governor dedicated to supporting local officials and communities. To learn more about CDBG and other grant opportunities available through DLG, visit dlg.ky.gov.

###