EARLINGTON, Ky. — The City of Earlington will receive $610,000 from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for water system improvements that will provide reliable service, support the expansion of a retail automotive business and diversify the regional economy. Matched with $390,000 in local funds, this project is expected to create 20 new jobs and boost the economy in Western Kentucky.
The EDA is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce that strives to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and build durable regional economies across the country.
This Earlington water system improvements project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, which EDA funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. ACC projects support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development and re-employment opportunities.
The Pennyrile Area Development District (PADD) led regional planning efforts that made this project possible. PADD works to unite the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
The EDA is an important partner in building a Better Kentucky. In May, the EDA invested $1.9 million in Pike County to construct water and sewer infrastructure at Wolf Pit Industrial Park, which is expected to generate $1 million in private investment and support the growth of Eastern Kentucky’s manufacturing sector. The EDA also invested nearly $3 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to help Kentucky’s tourism industry recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
