SE Kentucky News

U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, announced nearly $150 million in fiscal year 2025 Community Project Funding for East Kentucky has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee, clearing the first major hurdle and advancing to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Congressman Rogers advocated for federal funding for 15 projects aimed at improving transportation, infrastructure, industrial development, education, drug abuse prevention and treatment, and upgrading equipment and facilities for first responders in the region.

“The people of southern and eastern Kentucky have given me a seat at the most important table in the House and I am proud to advocate for funding to fix our roads, create jobs and make our rural communities better and safer,” said Congressman Rogers, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “This funding still has a long way to go, but gaining approval from House appropriators gives me great confidence that these important projects will cross the finish line.”

The House Appropriations Committee has finalized and passed all 12 federal funding bills for discretionary spending in fiscal year 2025. These are scheduled to be considered by the full House by the end of July. The committee held a press conference in the U.S. Capitol Building on Thursday morning to mark this milestone.

Significant allocations include $150 million designated for Community Project Funding requests in Eastern Kentucky. Congressman Rogers collaborated with local leaders to request funding for several projects within Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District:

Over $34 million is allocated to upgrade emergency operations:

1. First Responders Communication Equipment - $20 million: This will allow city and county law enforcement agencies in Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District to apply for funds to upgrade their technology equipment.

2. Wolfe County Search & Rescue/Emergency Operations Center - $5 million: This project aims to construct a centrally located facility housing emergency services equipment.

3. Pikeville Police Department Headquarters - $3.9875 million: This project involves constructing a new police department building.

4. Louisa Fire Department and Emergency Facility – $3.046875 million: This project will fund construction of essential fire and emergency services facilities in Lawrence County.

5. Northern McCreary County Firehouse - $2 million: This includes construction of a new fire station replacing an aging structure.

$75.5 million is earmarked for transportation improvements:

6. Somerset Northern Bypass - $37 million: Funds will be used to construct this bypass providing economic growth opportunities.

7. Mountain Parkway Extension - $36.5 million: Funding will complete construction on 12.6 miles of this parkway.

8. London-Corbin Airport Terminal Renovation - $2 million: This project updates safety features at this terminal.

$26 million is directed towards infrastructure and industrial development:

9. Section 531 Environmental Infrastructure in Eastern Kentucky - $10 million: Enables completion of drinking water improvement projects.

10. City of Pikeville Industrial Building - $6 million: Construction aimed at creating up to 100 jobs.

11 .Clay County Industrial Building - $3 Million : Provides funds for new industrial buildings .

12 .Harlan County Water Loss Reduction Project- $2 Million : Provides critical water infrastructure improvements

13.Pulaski Country Area Water Infrastructure Improvements Program-$5 Million : Grants administered by PRIDE ,for water infrastructure improvements

Nearly $10 million is dedicated towards innovation and education :

14.Morehead State University Space Science Center-$7 .54 Million : Upgrades existing Space Science Centers Mission Operation Center

15.Operation UNITE-$2Million : Expands prevention treatment efforts through school based drug prevention clubs

The Community Project Funding requests now move on to the House as part of appropriations bills .

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work visit halrogers.house.gov follow him on social media