ASHLAND, Ky. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Today, at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, Gov. Andy Beshear presented more than $3.9 million in funding to benefit the Highlands Museum, create a new health science lab at the Ashland Community and Technical College, resurface a road and help fund a one-day hazardous waste disposal event in Ashland.
“The funds we announced today will go toward education initiatives, improving infrastructure and building a brighter future for generations to come,” said Gov. Beshear. “Today is the result of a lot of hard work and collaboration at the local and state level. When we work together, transformational change is possible.”
“Today, we celebrated investments in education, infrastructure and a museum that celebrates the history of Boyd County,” said Boyd County Judge/Executive Eric Chaney. “When state and local officials work together, days like today are possible. We’re very grateful for the funding and look forward to the completion of these projects.”
Highlands Museum and Discovery Center
Gov. Beshear announced the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center will receive $1.3 million to renovate the second and third floors of the museum into the Clark Family Discovery Center and Interactive History Museum. The second floor will hold a center for children and the third floor will be a history museum. The renovations will include an art gallery, conservation storage for the museum’s extensive artifacts collection and ADA-compliant bathrooms.
The funds come from Kentucky’s Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program.
Ashland Community and Technical College
Gov. Beshear announced $1.3 million in AMLER funds will go to the Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC). The funds will create a health science simulation training lab to benefit its health sciences programs including associate degree nursing, practical nursing, surgical technology, radiography and medical assisting. This lab will serve as a training facility for current employees of King’s Daughters Medical Center, the region’s largest employer with a 150-mile radius covering 20 counties.
Resurfacing of Daniels Fork Road
Gov. Beshear announced $436,794 is going to Boyd County to resurface all of Daniels Fork Road (4.4 miles). A recent sewer project and a slip repair has left the road in need of resurfacing. This project will improve travel quality for motorists using State Route 5 to State Route 503.
The award comes from discretionary funds administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
“Anytime we see tax dollars return to our community is a good one, but I’m particularly pleased to see us resurface this area of road,” said Rep. Scott Sharp of Ashland. “We know that if we make investments in maintaining our roads, we not only make them safer but also extend their usable life.”
“We’ve worked hard to ensure that every dollar the state spends benefits the hardworking men and women of Kentucky,” said Rep. Danny Bentley of Russell. “These allocations will do just that, and I look forward to seeing the impact they have here in Boyd County.”
Ashland Recycling Day
Gov. Beshear announced $20,000 is going to the city of Ashland to support a one-day event for residents to safely dispose of household hazardous waste.
The funds come from Kentucky’s Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Management Grants Program.
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