Governor also presents more than $72,000 for new sidewalks along U.S. Highway 60OWINGSVILLE, Ky. (May 9, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear presented a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to Bath County to improve emergency services and a $72,991 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to the City of Salt Lick to add sidewalks along a section of U.S. Highway 60.
“This investment will help Kentuckians in Bath County get the life-saving health care they need in an emergency,”
Gov. Beshear said. “It will also help our people stay healthy and connected to local businesses by providing a new, safe walking route. This is another way we are working together with local leaders to improve services and infrastructure, building that better Kentucky we all want.”
Bath County Ambulance District ProjectBath County, in partnership with the Bath County Ambulance District, will construct a new ambulance services building, at 78 Rowland Avenue in Owingsville. The facility will replace the current ambulance services building, which is in a congested location and is too small to house the vehicles and equipment used by the Ambulance District.
The new building will have four large bays to accommodate eight vehicles for parking, and a laundry and equipment storage/washroom, allowing for all vehicles and equipment owned by the Ambulance District to be safely stored.
The facility also will include accessible restrooms, shower and decontamination stations, an employee lounge and an office space. A new generator will be permanently affixed to the building, allowing it to serve as an emergency operations center if needed. The facility will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.
Ambulance services are especially important in Bath County, as patients spend more than average time in transport due to there being no hospital facilities in the county. This project will improve the Ambulance District’s vehicle and equipment storage capabilities while bettering response times and efficiency when responding to emergency calls. The Ambulance District will own, maintain and insure the new ambulance services building.
The CDBG funds, administered through the Department for Local Government, will be used exclusively to construct the new ambulance services building and for CDBG administrative fees.
“We are so excited and most grateful to the Governor’s Office and the Department for Local Government in awarding this Community Development Block Grant for a new ambulance service facility,”
Bath County Judge/Executive Bobby Rogers said. “I want to thank Josh Farrow and Jason Boggs with Gateway Area Development District for all of their help and our local ambulance board members for all of their input and service. I’d also like to thank
Bath County Ambulance Director Gary Bealert for all of his efforts.”
Bealert echoed Rogers’ gratitude for the project’s funding.
“The Bath County Ambulance District, its employees and board would like to thank the Governor’s Office and everyone who was involved in our recent grant award for a new EMS station for the Bath County Ambulance District,” Bealert said. “Like all EMS agencies, it is difficult to appropriate money for large projects such as this with other budget demands. All staff members and the board are very excited at the prospect of a new station that we and the citizens of Bath County can be proud of, and that reflects the professional image necessary to instill confidence in the community we serve. We are humbled by the support we have received from the Office of the Governor and our judge/executive. Once again, thank you for the support and the opportunity to serve the citizens of Bath County and the State of Kentucky.”
U.S. Highway 60 Sidewalk Project in Salt LickGov. Beshear presented $72,991 to the City of Salt Lick from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s TAP to add sidewalks along a section of U.S. Highway 60 near the city’s Valero station.
The Valero station and the general store located there are Salt Lick’s most used resources. The sidewalk will make it easier for citizens to walk to and from the station. This project also will encourage healthier and more active lifestyles by providing another safe walking route. The new sidewalk will be at least five feet in width to accommodate wheelchair traffic and will include all necessary pedestrian signage, crosswalks and striping.
This is Salt Lick’s first TAP project, and officials have two more projects planned in their efforts to grow their community and provide increased opportunities for safe travel without the use of a vehicle. Planning ahead to fulfill needs, prepare for future growth and budgeting are encouraged by the TAP program.
“Enhancing our infrastructure serves as a vital step in leading our community to growth,”
Rep. David Hale said. “Improving the accessibility of our sidewalks along one of our city’s most frequented areas will grant our citizens the ability to utilize a much safer route. This project, in tandem with the creation of a new service center for some of our counties emergency fleet, will create lasting impacts that will be felt for generations.”
“We very much appreciate and are grateful to the Governor’s Office and the Transportation Cabinet for the grant to add sidewalks along U.S. 60 in Salt Lick,”
Salt Lick Mayor Bill Unchester said. “We feel this is another step ahead for our community. I also want to thank Josh Farrow and Jocelyn Gross from Gateway ADD for their help in obtaining this grant.”
About the Community Development Block Grant ProgramThe CDBG Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
About the Transportation Alternatives ProgramTAP 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.
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