Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-10-09

Gov. Beshear, Congressman Rogers Announce More Than $22 Million for Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky

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This press release from Representative Harold Rogers (R-KY) was published on 2026-10-09 and titled "Gov. Beshear, Congressman Rogers Announce More Than $22 Million for Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky".

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Gov. Beshear, Congressman Rogers Announce More Than $22 Million for Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky

CORBIN, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2026) - Today, at the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit, Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced more than $22 million to help support healthcare, emergency services, infrastructure, energy, education, tourism and economic development in Eastern Kentucky. "The people of Eastern Kentucky have supported this country through two world wars, our Industrial Revolution and by building the greatest middle class in the history of the world. These hardworking families deserve to know there is a bright future ahead of them and the investments we announced today will help make that possible," said Gov. Beshear . "By focusing these dollars on healthcare, infrastructure and ongoing economic growth, we are making sure everyone across this important region has a chance to live out the American Dream." The funding announced today comes through the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program, established by Congressman Rogers in 2016. More than $1.3 billion in federal funding has gone toward AMLER since the program's founding, of which more than $280 million has been awarded for 120 projects in Kentucky. "Over the past decade, the bipartisan AMLER grant program has helped our coal-producing counties pursue new opportunities to revitalize our region through stronger infrastructure, workforce development, adventure tourism, advancing access to healthcare and education, expanding broadband and much more," said Congressman Rogers . "These new grants continue our work to create new jobs and opportunities where we need them most." Today, the Governor and Congressman awarded: More than $4 million to the Leslie County Fiscal Court to install over 35,000 linear feet of gas line to support existing and future businesses. The project will serve 12 businesses, over 100 households and six schools and churches once complete. $3.5 million to the City of London Convention and Tourism Commission in Laurel County to improve and complete infrastructure for the Wilderness Road Event Center. The project anticipates up to 65,000 visitors within the first two years and will create five full-time jobs at opening date. $2.9 million for Johnson County Schools to support the growth of the nursing and agriculture programs at the Johnson Central Career and Technical Center. The nursing program will create a healthcare learning environment that stimulates real life situations through the purchase of simulation equipment and supplies. The school will also expand its agriculture program by creating a hands-on learning environment with the purchase of high tunnels and farming equipment. The agriculture program anticipates training 246 students within the first year and the nursing program expects to train 75 students within the first year and lead to the creation of 50 jobs within the first five years. $2.76 million to AdventHealth Manchester in Clay County to allow the hospital to purchase a DaVinci 5 Robotic Surgical System. The system will provide five new surgical services with a less invasive approach and is expected to serve 360 patients within the first year. $2.5 million to the Elliott County Fiscal Court to replace the current emergency medical services (EMS) facility in Sandy Hook with a larger, modernized structure that will better support EMS operations and services. The county anticipates a 3% increase in patients treated within the first year of operation. More than $2.2 million to the City of Cumberland in Harlan County to replace its aging water distribution infrastructure and provide dependable access to safe water by adding new water lines. The project is anticipated to serve 194 households and 50 businesses within the first year after completion. $2.15 million to Letcher County Water and Sewer District (LCWSD) to install new waterline and provide water services for the Mountain Comprehensive Health Corp. (MCHC) Children's Autism Center, as well as 200 households. $1.64 million to the City of Booneville in Owsley County for the Sag Hollow Business Development Phase II, which will expand overnight lodging at the Sag Hollow area through the construction of three executive cabins. The project anticipates 2,800 visitors and the creation of two new jobs within the first year, with an expected revenue increase of over $150,000 by the second year of operation. $600,000 to the Pike County Fiscal Court to construct a build-ready pad at the Wolfpit Industrial Park. This project is expected to generate create $125,000 in occupational tax revenue within the first year and will help attract even more economic investment. The Governor and Congressman also presented $25.7 million to the Center for Rural Development for six BEAD award projects to expand high speed internet to over 3,000 homes across 12 counties. Gov. Beshear first announced this project on Wednesday, as part of a record $78.8 million awarded to Kentucky from the Appalachian Regional Commission in fiscal

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Gov. Beshear, Congressman Rogers Announce More Than $22 Million for Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky CORBIN, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2026) - Today, at the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit, Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced more than $22 million to help support healthcare, emergency services, infrastructure, energy, education, tourism and economic development in Eastern Kentucky. "The people of Eastern Kentucky have supported this country through two world wars, our Industrial Revolution and by building the greatest middle class in the history of the world. These hardworking families deserve to know there is a bright future ahead of them and the investments we announced today will help make that possible," said Gov. Beshear . "By focusing these dollars on healthcare, infrastructure and ongoing economic growth, we are making sure everyone across this important region has a chance to live out the American Dream." The funding announced today comes through the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program, established by Congressman Rogers in 2016. More than $1.3 billion in federal funding has gone toward AMLER since the program's founding, of which more than $280 million has been awarded for 120 projects in Kentucky. "Over the past decade, the bipartisan AMLER grant program has helped our coal-producing counties pursue new opportunities to revitalize our region through stronger infrastructure, workforce development, adventure tourism, advancing access to healthcare and education, expanding broadband and much more," said Congressman Rogers . "These new grants continue our work to create new jobs and opportunities where we need them most." Today, the Governor and Congressman awarded: More than $4 million to the Leslie County Fiscal Court to install over 35,000 linear feet of gas line to support existing and future businesses. The project will serve 12 businesses, over 100 households and six schools and churches once complete. $3.5 million to the City of London Convention and Tourism Commission in Laurel County to improve and complete infrastructure for the Wilderness Road Event Center. The project anticipates up to 65,000 visitors within the first two years and will create five full-time jobs at opening date. $2.9 million for Johnson County Schools to support the growth of the nursing and agriculture programs at the Johnson Central Career and Technical Center. The nursing program will create a healthcare learning environment that stimulates real life situations through the purchase of simulation equipment and supplies. The school will also expand its agriculture program by creating a hands-on learning environment with the purchase of high tunnels and farming equipment. The agriculture program anticipates training 246 students within the first year and the nursing program expects to train 75 students within the first year and lead to the creation of 50 jobs within the first five years. $2.76 million to AdventHealth Manchester in Clay County to allow the hospital to purchase a DaVinci 5 Robotic Surgical System. The system will provide five new surgical services with a less invasive approach and is expected to serve 360 patients within the first year. $2.5 million to the Elliott County Fiscal Court to replace the current emergency medical services (EMS) facility in Sandy Hook with a larger, modernized structure that will better support EMS operations and services. The county anticipates a 3% increase in patients treated within the first year of operation. More than $2.2 million to the City of Cumberland in Harlan County to replace its aging water distribution infrastructure and provide dependable access to safe water by adding new water lines. The project is anticipated to serve 194 households and 50 businesses within the first year after completion. $2.15 million to Letcher County Water and Sewer District (LCWSD) to install new waterline and provide water services for the Mountain Comprehensive Health Corp. (MCHC) Children's Autism Center, as well as 200 households. $1.64 million to the City of Booneville in Owsley County for the Sag Hollow Business Development Phase II, which will expand overnight lodging at the Sag Hollow area through the construction of three executive cabins. The project anticipates 2,800 visitors and the creation of two new jobs within the first year, with an expected revenue increase of over $150,000 by the second year of operation. $600,000 to the Pike County Fiscal Court to construct a build-ready pad at the Wolfpit Industrial Park. This project is expected to generate create $125,000 in occupational tax revenue within the first year and will help attract even more economic investment. The Governor and Congressman also presented $25.7 million to the Center for Rural Development for six BEAD award projects to expand high speed internet to over 3,000 homes across 12 counties. Gov. Beshear first announced this project on Wednesday, as part of a record $78.8 million awarded to Kentucky from the Appalachian Regional Commission in fiscal