SOMERSET, Ky.- The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Department announced Friday morning that the Trump Administration will be investing over $1 million to improve essential community services in Pulaski County. 

Congressman Hal Rogers along with USDA Rural Development Kentucky State Director, Hilda Legg announced an investment of more than $1.1 million dollars to three different areas in the county.

“They have this entire division dedicated to our needs in rural America and some of our greatest needs are represented in the projects were talking about today including the opioid epidemic, job creation, and the emergency services in a rural region.” Rogers Said. 

Congressman Rogers has been serving the 5th district since 1981 and says he is honored to award these three groups with the different available grants. 

 

The Southwest Kentucky Economic Development Corporation will use $91,587 from the Rural Business Development Grant, and $1 million from the Intermediary Relending Program, creating loans for small rural businesses within the 45-county service area in Eastern Kentucky.

Another $50,000 will go towards the City of Somerset to help purchase an ambulance for the city's Emergency Medical Department, which responds to an average of over 50 calls a day covering more than 600 square miles. 

“I think it’s beautiful when the federal funds come in to the local communities and yes, a rural community in the form of a grant but again investing into things which I think the government is most responsible for first and foremost, public safety especially as an executive in a community that’s number one and number two is infrastructure and this thing meets both of those.” The Mayor of Somerset, Alan Keck said. 

Sunrise Children’s Services is the third group in the investment to receive $39,400 to help repair two courses at the Cumberland Adventure Program campus to help build self confidence and self esteem for children in recovery programs.