GLASGOW, Ky. (May 25, 2023) – Today at the Barren County Family YMCA, Gov. Andy Beshear presented $1,204,102 in awards to support law enforcement, tourism, flood control, parks and nonprofits in Allen and Barren counties.
“Today’s announcements mean that we are taking steps to proactively protect our families in Western Kentucky from flooding and ensure that they have a safe and fun place to play with their families,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are promoting local tourism, increasing public safety and supporting nonprofits that make such a difference for this community. As Governor, and especially as a dad, nothing is more important to me than building a better Kentucky for all our people.”
“Today, we celebrated funds to protect our officers, bring more tourists to our community and uplift some great organizations,” said Allen County Judge/Executive Dennis Harper. “These announcements are the result of a lot of hard work. We will keep working to prioritize the wellbeing of all our people.”
“The funding announced today will benefit Barren County for decades,” said Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd. “We will keep working on behalf of our people to secure a brighter future for everyone.”
“Every dollar announced for our community today will improve a life,” said Henry Royse, Mayor of Glasgow. “We’re grateful for these funds, and we will continue to work to improve the lives of the people of Glasgow.”
Tourism Marketing Funding
Gov. Beshear awarded over $530 million to support travel marketing and promotion in Allen and Barren counties. The awards include:
$30,804 to the Scottsville-Allen Chamber of Commerce;
$269,249 to the Cave City Convention and Tourism Commission;
$72,832 to the Glasgow/Barren County Tourist and Convention Commission;
$60,694 to the Park City Tourist and Convention Commission; and
$100,000 to the Caveland Marketing Association.
The awards are part of the $75 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding supported by the Governor and allocated by the General Assembly in the 2022 legislative session. The funds are used to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic. Funding is distributed by the Kentucky Department of Tourism to eligible tourism organizations throughout the commonwealth.
“The funding announced today will go a long way in Allen County by increasing our tourism,” said Rep. Shawn McPherson of Scottsville. “As the House Vice Chair of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, I understand the significant role that tourism plays to our economy. Tourism continues to be a key driver of business sales, employment, and tax revenue for our community.”
“I’m pleased with today’s announcement of funding for tourism marketing in Barren County,” said Rep. Steve Riley of Glasgow. “During the 2022 Regular Session, the legislature appropriated $75 million to support tourism recovery and investment in local communities. Without a doubt, an investment this size gives tourism the resources the industry needs to be on the path toward success. I understand the vital role that tourism plays to the local economy.”
“COVID-19 almost collapsed tourism and the convention business across the nation. Since tourism is a vital industry for Cave City, this money will help us to advertise and market in new, creative ways that will increase the visibility of our amazing area,” said Jennifer McNett, executive director of the Cave City Convention Center and Tourism Bureau. “We are excited to be able to reach larger audiences and potential visitors to re-vitalize tourism and the economy in Cave City. We are proud to show off our newly re-branded Conference Center and Cave City as a community. We are very grateful for the opportunity to show you the great things it will allow us to do.”
“The deep economic impact of the tourism & hospitality industry is a huge piece of not only our history here in Barren County but also our path forward,” said Maclean Lessernberry, executive director of Glasgow-Barren County Tourist and Convention Commission. “We are always ecstatic to know that our partners in Frankfort are willing to invest in our efforts to tell the story of the Glasgow area and expand our name and brand to potential visitors.”
“The Park City Tourist and Convention Commission is so excited to receive funding from the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Linda Watts, executive director for the Park City Tourist and Convention Commission. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote our area and help attract visitors to Kentucky Cave Country.”
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Gov. Beshear recapped his announcement that he selected Park City as one of 37 Kentucky communities to receive funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. If approved by the National Park Service, Park City will use $26,838 to construct a full outdoor basketball court and outdoor bocce ball court at Bell’s Tavern Park.
The funding is administered at the state level by the Department for Local Government. To receive the funds, selected applicants must first undergo review and receive approval from the National Park Service.
“We’re excited to get the ball rolling on improving Bell’s Tavern Park,” said Larry Poteet, mayor of Park City. “The addition of the basketball and bocce court will be a great addition to the park. We will continue to support projects that improve the health and wellbeing of the people in Park City.”
Law Enforcement Protection Program
Gov. Beshear announced over $88,000 in funding to law enforcement agencies in Allen and Barren counties from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security through the Law Enforcement Protection Program. The funds will be used to better protect police officers. The awards include:
$12,700 to the City of Scottsville;
$38,237.57 to the Barren County Sheriff’s Office;
$21,482 to Cave City; and
$15,854.50 to the City of Glasgow.
Flood Control Funding
The Governor awarded $155,000 from the Department of Local Government to Ritters Mill Low Water Ford in Barren County. The funding will go toward replacing the existing low water crossing with a box culvert, which will help decrease the number of closures of nearby roads due to flooding. The outdated low water crossing was built 40 years ago and has become a safety hazard.
Boys and Girls Club Funding
Gov. Beshear announced Cave City will receive $750,000 in funding to renovate an old grocery building to serve as a new Boys and Girls Club in Cave City. This will be an extension of the existing Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County Center, which is in Glasgow. This new center will make the services of the Boys and Girls Club more accessible to the children of Cave City.
“With this funding support, we will be able to offer something truly transformative for Kentucky youth right here in Barren County,” said Mallie Boston, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Glasgow-Barren County. “This commitment to youth will provide the opportunity for a better future to Cave City youth that only Boys & Girls Clubs can provide.”
The funding will come from the Community Development Block Grant Program, which is administered at the state level by the Department for Local Government.
Nonprofit Assistance Fund
Gov. Beshear awarded over $427,000 in awards to local nonprofits in Allen and Barren Counties. The awards come from the Nonprofit Assistance Fund, which is helping organizations across Kentucky recover from the impacts of the pandemic. The funding comes from ARPA, and Gov. Beshear supported the allocation of funds by the 2022 General Assembly. This funding will provide one-time direct relief payments to support the mission and long-term sustainability of each eligible nonprofit.
For Allen County, the awards include:
$14,526.32 to Christ the King Parish of Scottsville, KY;
$49,386.16 to Friends of Dugas Community Park; and
$77,187 to Project C.A.M.P.
For Barren County, the awards include:
$100,000 to the Barren County Family YMCA;
$100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County;
$68,352 to the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce;
$14,778 to The New Far Off Broadway Players; and
$3,019.39 to The Salvation Army of Barren County.
“We at Dugas Community Park are continuing our work to provide a high-quality passive recreation park in South Central Kentucky while focusing on conservation (both historical and natural), education and recreation,” said Brittany Fisher, executive director of Dugas Community Park.
“The Salvation Army is sincerely grateful to the Governor and the General Assembly for their generous allocation of funds through the Kentucky Nonprofit Assistance Fund in Barren County. These funds will be used to enhance our food assistance and emergency support programs, as well as expand our community outreach initiatives,” Major Thomas Louden, divisional commander, Kentucky-Tennessee Division of the Salvation Army. “Thank you for your unwavering support in transforming lives and creating a stronger community.”
“We are blown away to receive such a tremendous gift to further our mission and enable Kentucky youth to reach a better future!” said Mallie Boston, chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County.
“The past few years have been especially tough on nonprofits and the communities we serve. People count on us for so many things and it is great to know we can count on the Governor's Office,” said Tara Bailey, chief executive officer and executive director of Barren County YMCA. “When it comes to return on investment, I can't think of a better way than to support the YMCA.”
“Grant funds are used to improve the quality of life for children with serious illnesses, for whom a traditional camp experience is medically infeasible and oftentimes financially impossible, through specified programs created for their individual needs and development opportunities, to provide them with education, recreation, and respite, resulting in increased self-esteem and the knowledge to become more productive citizens,” said Robin Frazier, grant manager of Project C.A.M.P.
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