BUTLER, Ky. — In his State of the Commonwealth Address, Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., highlighted one Northern Kentucky couple as a recipient of a Cleaner Water Program Grant. The couple had been hauling water to their home for over three decades.

What You Need To Know

  • On July 21, 2022, Gov. Andy Beshear announced $30 million in funding to support 29 projects that will provide clean drinking water and improve water systems

  • Northern Kentucky couple and business owners, Tom and Lori Himmelsbach were one of 1,200 households to receive Cleaner Water Program grants

  • The pair hauled water to their home for 34 years

  • Gov. Andy Beshear proposed $500 million dollars in grants to help counties and local government

Owners of The Kentucky Millstone, a restaurant in Butler, Tom and Lori Himmelsbach, said Butler is their home.

Himmelsbach said, “We’re actually high school sweethearts. We both went to the local high school here, and I grew up on about a mile away. And we currently we’ve lived there together for about 34 years.”

The couple said they opened their restaurant to provide a safe space for the community.

“Our main goal was to be able to provide an enjoyable, quiet like space for residents,” said Himmelsbach.

However, their business hours were affected because Tom had to haul fresh water to their home several times a week.

Himmelsbach added, “Tom had been hauling water for over 34 years... and so not having to haul water how many times a week? At least twice, three times a week.” “Yeah, we were a truck out pretty quick,” added Tom Himmelsbach.

On July 21, 2022, Gov. Beshear announced $30 million in funding to support 29 projects to provide clean drinking water and improve water systems for more than 1,200 households across the commonwealth. It was part of the $1.3 billion Building a Better Kentucky Plan. The Himmelsbachs are recipients of one of these grants.

The couple said while they had to haul water for thirty years, they are appreciative they had the resources to manage a large issue. 

Himmelsbach said, “You know, having a vehicle to haul the water is really a big deal. And it’s expensive to have it hauled in. So, I think that it is important, and I think for us, it’s huge to be able to, you know, have access to that.” 

The pair no longer have to worry about access to water at home and now can focus on their business.

Himmelsbach said, “Tom and I both to be able to be here all the time without having to be concerned about things like water at home enables us to be able to provide the community with better food.”

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