PERRY COUNTY, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that $11.6 million will go to Perry County for improvements on infrastructure, water treatment and public safety following the floods in July.

What You Need To Know

  • The funds will go toward a new water treatment plant in Buckhorn, a new ambulance station for Hazard and Perry County and road resurfacing for Coal Fields Industrial Park and Perry County Park

  • Beshear said he expects the water treatment project to create 364 jobs, retain 351 jobs and generate $13 million in private investment

  • Beshear also announced his recommendation that the National Parks Service approve $65,844 in funding for improvements to the Perry County Park. The project, if approved, would resurface and restripe the park’s tennis courts

The funds will go toward a new water treatment plant in Buckhorn, a new ambulance station for Hazard and Perry County and road resurfacing for Coal Fields Industrial Park and Perry County Park. 

“The projects we are announcing today are going to improve the health and wellbeing of our Eastern Kentucky communities,” Beshear wrote in a press release. “We are making good on our promise to be with Eastern Kentucky for the long haul. We have brighter days on our horizon.”

Beshear and Congressman Hal Rogers presented a ceremonial check totaling $8,893,200 to the City of Hazard and the City of Buckhorn to construct the water treatment plant. It will be able to process 2 million gallons per day, providing reliable water service to 1,198 households and 19 businesses in the Coal Fields Regional Industrial Park, the City of Buckhorn and the Chavies community.

Beshear said he expects the project to create 364 jobs, retain 351 jobs and generate $13 million in private investment.

The funding for the water treatment plant will come from the following:

  • $5 million from the federal Economic Development Administration
  • $2 million in Community Development Block Grant funding, administered at the state level by the Department for Local Government
  • $1 million in Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization Program funding, administered at the state level by the Energy and Environment Cabinet; and
  • $893,200 in Appalachian Regional Commission funding, administered at the state level by DLG.

Beshear said $1,789,000 in CDBG funding will go toward to the City of Hazard and Perry County for a new ambulance station. The project will renovate the old Manufacturer’s Supply Building in Hazard and turn it into an ambulance station serving northern Perry County. Renovations will include installing six garage door bays, garage doors, a new roof and repaving service drives. Interior renovations will upgrade the walls, floors and ceilings, as well as the electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, according to Beshear. 

A total of $856,110 will go to Perry County from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and will be used to help resurface portions of two roads: KYTC allocated $719,030 for Coal Fields Industrial Road and $137,080 for Trus Joist Lane.

Beshear also announced his recommendation that the National Parks Service approve $65,844 in funding for improvements to the Perry County Park, which includes resurfacing and restriping the park’s tennis courts. 

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