Press ReleaseNeutral2026-04-21

Senator McConnell Secures More than $117 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Transportation and Economic Development

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This press release from Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was published on 2026-04-21 and titled "Senator McConnell Secures More than $117 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Transportation and Economic Development". It focuses on taxes and touches on the environment, foreign policy.

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Senator McConnell Secures More than $117 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Transportation and Economic Development Washington, D.C . - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured $117 million in federal funding for Kentucky airports, highways, and economic development projects included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations for Transportation-Housing and Urban Development, which passed the Senate. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell played a key role in shaping the legislation. The measure now goes to President Trump for his signature. The projects secured by Senator McConnell in the bill include: Kentucky Economic Development Projects (Totaling more than $50 million): $20,000,000 to construct the new Cave City Area Agriculture Exposition Center in Barren County This project will see the establishment of a new agricultural center to host a number of different events and foster economic development. $11,000,000 for the McCreary County Heritage Foundation Funding will be used to facilitate planning, design, and construction of a number of improvements intended to foster economic development in the community. $7,000,000 for Louisville Metro Government The City of Louisville will use this funding to redevelop crumbling infrastructure at the Belvedere. $6,600,000 to build a new childcare facility in Owensboro The City of Owensboro is facing a shortage in childcare facilities and the Owensboro Family YMCA, in response, aims to redevelop an existing building to increase childcare availability. $4,500,000 for the City of Covington The Covington Central Riverfront Podium and Land Bridge Infrastructure project will see construction of a new pedestrian-friendly connection for the city-s newest mixed-use business district on the site of the former IRS facility. $1,450,000 for the Southern Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) SPEDA will construct an overpass to connect an emerging business park with Kentucky Highway 80, Hal Rogers Parkway, via Barnesburg Road. "From Barren, Pulaski, and McCreary Counties to Louisville and Owensboro, I-m proud to have helped secure this funding for economic development projects across the Commonwealth," said Senator McConnell . "This federal funding will help revitalize important locations and infrastructure throughout our communities and promote development in our cities and towns." "On behalf of Barren County, I want to sincerely thank Senator McConnell for his support in securing federal funding for this agricultural expo center," said Jamie Bewley Byrd, Barren County Judge-Executive . "This project will provide a much needed location for farmers to come together for trade shows and events, and will bring in millions of dollars in economic impact and development. Being ranked among the top counties in the Commonwealth for total number of farms, Barren County is a proud, resilient agriculture community and we-re thrilled to be the site of this new development." "I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Senator McConnell for believing in the potential to revitalize the historic mining community of Stearns, McCreary County Kentucky," said J.C. Egnew, Founder of the McCreary County Heritage Foundation, and Chief Executive Officer of Outdoor Venture Corporation . "This revitalization project will make Stearns a world class tourism destination. Through the Senator-s efforts, and belief that tourism is bona fide economic development and his ability to appropriate funds, will make this vision become reality. This project is an integral part of the goal to enhance the development of the Southern entrance to the Kentucky Wildlands and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area." Thank you, Senator McConnell, for your support of the redevelopment of the Belvedere," said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg . "This investment will help with the massive repairs needed for this important infrastructure in Downtown Louisville. This project will fix Downtown-s largest garage and ensure the safety of the thousands of motorists who drive underneath it every day. The reimagined Belvedere will also be a catalyst for other Downtown redevelopment projects, which is why this support is so important." "Senator McConnell has long been a trusted friend and ally to the City of Owensboro, Kentucky, and we are deeply grateful for his continued support over the years," sai

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Senator McConnell Secures More than $117 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Transportation and Economic Development Washington, D.C . - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured $117 million in federal funding for Kentucky airports, highways, and economic development projects included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations for Transportation-Housing and Urban Development, which passed the Senate. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell played a key role in shaping the legislation. The measure now goes to President Trump for his signature. The projects secured by Senator McConnell in the bill include: Kentucky Economic Development Projects (Totaling more than $50 million): $20,000,000 to construct the new Cave City Area Agriculture Exposition Center in Barren County This project will see the establishment of a new agricultural center to host a number of different events and foster economic development. $11,000,000 for the McCreary County Heritage Foundation Funding will be used to facilitate planning, design, and construction of a number of improvements intended to foster economic development in the community. $7,000,000 for Louisville Metro Government The City of Louisville will use this funding to redevelop crumbling infrastructure at the Belvedere. $6,600,000 to build a new childcare facility in Owensboro The City of Owensboro is facing a shortage in childcare facilities and the Owensboro Family YMCA, in response, aims to redevelop an existing building to increase childcare availability. $4,500,000 for the City of Covington The Covington Central Riverfront Podium and Land Bridge Infrastructure project will see construction of a new pedestrian-friendly connection for the city-s newest mixed-use business district on the site of the former IRS facility. $1,450,000 for the Southern Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA) SPEDA will construct an overpass to connect an emerging business park with Kentucky Highway 80, Hal Rogers Parkway, via Barnesburg Road. "From Barren, Pulaski, and McCreary Counties to Louisville and Owensboro, I-m proud to have helped secure this funding for economic development projects across the Commonwealth," said Senator McConnell . "This federal funding will help revitalize important locations and infrastructure throughout our communities and promote development in our cities and towns." "On behalf of Barren County, I want to sincerely thank Senator McConnell for his support in securing federal funding for this agricultural expo center," said Jamie Bewley Byrd, Barren County Judge-Executive . "This project will provide a much needed location for farmers to come together for trade shows and events, and will bring in millions of dollars in economic impact and development. Being ranked among the top counties in the Commonwealth for total number of farms, Barren County is a proud, resilient agriculture community and we-re thrilled to be the site of this new development." "I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Senator McConnell for believing in the potential to revitalize the historic mining community of Stearns, McCreary County Kentucky," said J.C. Egnew, Founder of the McCreary County Heritage Foundation, and Chief Executive Officer of Outdoor Venture Corporation . "This revitalization project will make Stearns a world class tourism destination. Through the Senator-s efforts, and belief that tourism is bona fide economic development and his ability to appropriate funds, will make this vision become reality. This project is an integral part of the goal to enhance the development of the Southern entrance to the Kentucky Wildlands and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area." Thank you, Senator McConnell, for your support of the redevelopment of the Belvedere," said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg . "This investment will help with the massive repairs needed for this important infrastructure in Downtown Louisville. This project will fix Downtown-s largest garage and ensure the safety of the thousands of motorists who drive underneath it every day. The reimagined Belvedere will also be a catalyst for other Downtown redevelopment projects, which is why this support is so important." "Senator McConnell has long been a trusted friend and ally to the City of Owensboro, Kentucky, and we are deeply grateful for his continued support over the years," sai