SOMERSET, Ky. — The City of Somerset is receiving a $3 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to upgrade two wastewater treatment facilities, supporting the future economic expansion and job creation. Paired with $750,000 in local funds, the award is expected to create 379 jobs, retain 580 jobs and generate $179 million in private investment.
The EDA is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce that strives to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and to build durable regional economies across the country.
This 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 Lake Cumberland Area Development District (LCADD) led regional planning efforts that made this project possible. LCADD 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 and the City of Somerset. 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. In June, the City of Earlington received $610,000 from the EDA to increase capacity in their water system. 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.
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