FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday congratulated Henry County and the cities of Henderson, Pikeville and Monticello for together receiving $13 million to support job growth and industrial expansion in their communities.
The investment in these communities is estimated to create 654 jobs and generate over $500 million in private and local investment.
The awards are funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $300 million Coal Communities Commitment program, which supports coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and helps them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the expansion of new industry sectors.
City of Henderson Natural Gas Line
- The EDA is awarding a $3 million grant to the City of Henderson for the construction of a high-pressure natural gas line needed to support manufacturing growth. This grant will provide service to a new advanced technology paper mill, promoting job creation in a region that has been impacted by the declining use of coal. The EDA investment will be matched with $2.8 million in local funds and is expected to create 320 jobs and generate $400 million in private investment.
Henry County Sanitary Sewer System
- The EDA awarded $1.5 million in funding to the Henry County Fiscal Court to make sewage system expansions and upgrades needed to support economic growth in the region. This project will provide the sewage infrastructure needed to support a major, new bourbon distillery and other business needs in the area. This EDA grant will be matched with $393,320 in local funds and is expected to create 80 jobs and generate $100 million in local investment.
Pikeville Agritech Center
- The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) will receive a $4.4 million grant to support the construction of the UPIKE Ag-Tech Innovation Center of Excellence, an agritech research and education center to be located at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park at Marion Branch in Pikeville. The project will be matched with $5.75 million in local funds. The project aims to promote job growth by bringing innovative industry to the area while enhancing educational opportunities for UPIKE students. The facility will include a greenhouse, classroom space, laboratory and offices to lead high-tech agriculture research efforts that aid the industry’s continued development and long-term viability while supporting increasing worldwide demand for food production.
Monticello Natural Gas Line
- The Wayne County Fiscal Court will receive a $4.1 million grant to support the construction of a natural gas line to serve the City of Monticello. The project will be matched with $2.3 million in local funds and is expected to create or retain 254 jobs and generate $30,000 in private investment.
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