Eastern Kentucky awarded millions to improve damaged infrastructure that includes Beattyville

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., announced water and wastewater infrastructure projects in four eastern Kentucky communities affected by deadly flooding in 2022.

What You Need To Know
- The city of Beattyville was awarded over $2.3 million to help rehabilitate the city’s existing wastewater treatment plant

- More than $5.7 million will go to the city of Fleming-Neon to help replace six water storage tanks throughout the city’s distribution system

- The city of Booneville will receive more than $1 million to improve the city’s sewage system

- Over $5.3 million was awarded to the Knott County Fiscal Court to build a new wastewater treatment plant in the community of Caney

 According to a news release from the governor’s office, $14.4 million will go toward improvements in the following areas

“I made a promise to be there for our eastern Kentucky communities as we rebuild and recover,” Beshear said. “As we approach the three-year anniversary of those floods, I’m proud that we’re continuing to show up and build a future that is brighter than our past.”

The city of Beattyville was awarded over $2.3 million to help rehabilitate the city’s existing wastewater treatment plant, which suffered damage during the 2022 floods, the news release said. The plant serves over 500 homes as well as two correctional facilities.

“I’d like to thank Gov. Andy Beshear and the state for all the things they have done for Beattyville so far,” said the mayor of Beattyville, Scott Jackson. “We have received a DLG Grant for $2.3 million for our wastewater treatment plant. It will also help with the local prison.”

According to the news release, more than $5.7 million will go to the city of Fleming-Neon to help replace six water storage tanks throughout the city’s distribution system. Replacing the damaged tanks will help the city continue to provide over 900 homes with reliable and safe water.

The city of Booneville will receive more than $1 million to improve the city’s sewage system by eliminating two river crossings. The system was damaged during floods, stemming in part from increased water pressure at the river crossings, the news release said. This project will improve the efficiency of the collection system that serves over 200 Kentuckians.

“We want to thank Gov. Beshear, the Department for Local Government, and our Kentucky River Area Development District for working with the city and securing funding for this sewer line redirect project,” said Booneville Mayor Nelson Bobrowski. “This project will remove the sewer line from the riverbed in not just one location, but two locations, completely out of the river while reducing our risk of it being damaged and causing severe pollution. This project will save the city $1,000 a month in electric costs.”

The news release said over $5.3 million was awarded to the Knott County Fiscal Court to build a new wastewater treatment plant in the community of Caney. In 2022, the existing treatment plant was severely damaged by floods. The new plant will be out of the floodplain, ensuring service to the communities of Caney and Mallie.

“In an area deeply affected by the decline of coal mining jobs, this project opens doors for future growth, supporting potential expansion of the college,” Knott County Judge/Executive Jeff Dobson said. “It improves infrastructure for housing and economic development. Alice Lloyd College has been a strong supporter of this effort, and we are excited for what this means for our community and its future.”

The funding was made available through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program.


Info via Spectrum News 1