PADUCAH, Ky. — The state of Kentucky is giving Paducah's Barkley Regional Airport $5 million to build a new airport terminal which will help encourage future growth in western Kentucky.

Governor Andy Beshear was joined by state and local leaders and business members at the airport on Monday. The funding moves the long-awaited project forward.

“Airports serve as our state’s ‘front door’ and replacing the almost 70-year-old terminal will make our state more attractive to Kentuckians, visitors and prospective businesses for years to come,” said Gov. Beshear. “The new airport will truly open up western Kentucky to the world and help us to build that bigger, brighter future for all our families. When we work together there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”

The Kentucky Department of Aviation awarded the money and will be combined with $20 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding to build a new 30.000 square foot terminal building to house modern and more efficient utilities, ADA compliant bathrooms, and security upgrades.  Parking lots and a new entrance road to the airport will also be built.

“Aviation is a key contributor to Kentucky jobs and the investment to get this project off the ground will benefit a region already poised for business and growth,” said Transportation Secretary Jim Gray.

The Barkley Regional Airport is one of six commercial airports in Kentucky and provides service to Chicago O'Hare. Replacing the outdated terminal eliminates space issues and will allow for growth including the addition of airlines and bigger planes.

The project is expected to break ground in the spring of 2021 and be completed by the end of 2023.