Funding supports water infrastructure, economic development, roads, tourism, safe household hazardous waste disposal and a regional kitchen expansionFRENCHBURG, Ky. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Today, in Frenchburg, Gov. Andy Beshear announced nearly $3 million in funding to Frenchburg and Menifee County to update aging water infrastructure, improve water service to hundreds of homes and businesses, support land and building development, resurface roads, promote tourism, support a hazardous waste collection event and renovate and expand the Menifee County Senior Center Kitchen.
The Governor also joined state and local officials to cut the ribbon on the Menifee County Senior Center Kitchen expansion.
“Our people are always our best investment. Every Kentucky family deserves opportunities and good-paying jobs right in their hometowns, and we’re working to make sure that’s a reality,” said Gov. Beshear. “These are common-sense projects that are moving Kentucky forward.”
“The funds announced today will help us better care for our people and improve quality of life county-wide,” said Menifee County Judge/Executive Rick Stiltner. “We’re taking major steps to bolster our infrastructure, improve food delivery services to seniors and bring more people to our communities. Today was a great day for the people of Menifee County.”
Cleaner Water Program
Gov. Beshear announced the commitment of $10,000 to the Cave Run Water Commission from the Cleaner Water Program. The funds will help Cave Run Water Commission better serve their customers by providing better analysis of their water production and more accurate readings for their customers water consumption.
Gov. Beshear announced the commitment of $20,000 to the city of Frenchburg. The funds will help install an emergency generator at the Frenchburg Water District pump station. This will help the city provide uninterrupted water service in the event of weather-related power outages.
The Governor also presented $214,775 to the city of Frenchburg to rehabilitate and refurbish the 100,000-gallon Big Woods Tank, which has a directly serviceable population of 3,387 approximately households, with serviceable connections in both Menifee and Bath counties.
Finally, the Governor announced the commitment of $126,557 to the Menifee County Fiscal Court to replace aging sewer infrastructure and improve currently existing wastewater lines in the area.
Appalachian Regional Commission Funds
Gov. Beshear celebrated $500,000 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to Frenchburg. This project was selected for funds by the ARC based upon the recommendation of Gov. Beshear. Gov. Beshear currently serves as the co-chair of the ARC.
The funding will be used to replace more than 10,000 feet of sewer line. This will improve service to over 230 homes and more than 50 businesses.
Kentucky Product Development Initiative Funding
The Governor highlighted an award to Menifee County that he announced in July as part of over $3.4 million awarded to further job creation and economic momentum in seven counties.
The state is providing nearly $150,000 to the Menifee County Fiscal Court on behalf of MMRC Regional Industrial Development Authority to perform infrastructure improvements to attract industry at the MMRC Regional Industrial Park. This is a $400,000+ regional project with support from Menifee, Morgan and Rowan counties. The MMRC Regional Industrial Development Authority will provide the matching funds.
Transportation Awards
Gov. Beshear highlighted $67,500 in discretionary funding from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to Menifee County. A total of $7,300 was used to resurface Simon Fugate Road. The remaining $60,200 was used to resurface Tilly’s Lane.
Tourism Marketing Funding
Gov. Beshear awarded $17,698 to the Menifee County Fiscal Court to support travel marketing and promotion. The award is part of the $75 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding announced by the Governor in July to boost the state's tourism industry and economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic.
The funds are distributed by the Kentucky Department of Tourism to eligible tourism organizations throughout the commonwealth.
Household Hazardous Waste Funding
The Governor highlighted $6,380 from the Energy and Environment Cabinet to Menifee County. The funding was used to support a hazardous waste collection event held last April in conjunction with Earth Day activities. Community members brought household hazardous waste to the county garage, where volunteers distributed them into containers for proposal disposal.
Menifee County Senior Center Kitchen Expansion
The Governor presented $946,000 from the from the Community Development Block Grant program to renovate and expand the Menifee County Senior Center Kitchen.
This expansion will add over 1,000 square feet to the building. It will allow for new freezers and a larger meal prep area. A generator will be installed to keep food cold and fresh during power outages.
The regional kitchen has been a vital resource for seniors in the area. During the pandemic, the kitchen’s capacity was pushed to its limit, highlighting much needed improvements. At the conclusion of the event, the Governor, along with state and local leaders, cut the ribbon on the renovated Menifee County Senior Center Kitchen.
Legislators who represent Menifee County celebrated today’s announcements.
“These various funding awards are good news for everyone who calls this great region their home and for all who make the smart choice to visit,” said Sen. Greg Elkins of Winchester.
“It is very exciting to see these much-needed updates come to Menifee County as a result of the work of the legislature,” said Rep. David Hale of Wellington. “Providing these updates to our drinking water and wastewater infrastructure will put our community on track to provide a better life for everyone in it.”
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