USDA opens application window for broadband expansion funding
LEXINGTON, Ky., Feb. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced funding for 14 projects across rural Kentucky totaling over $45.3 million.
“From large projects to small, USDA Rural Development is your Kentucky’s partner in prosperity, especially in those communities that have too often been left behind,” said Carew. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Secretary Vilsack, USDA Rural Development is helping to build our economy from the middle out and bottom up by improving the infrastructure and quality of life across rural Kentucky.”
Carew also announced today the agency will beginning accepting applications for USDA’s ReConnect program on March 22. More information can be found in today’s Federal Register.
Shaping Our Appalachian Region Inc. will use a $371,985 Broadband Technical Assistance grant to promote the expansion of high-speed internet across 14 communities in Pike County. SOAR will use funding to extend broadband technical assistance activities to the most remote and rural unincorporated communities in Pike County.
Fleming County Fiscal Court will use a $125,000 Broadband Technical Assistance grant to promote the expansion of high-speed internet in 30 communities across Fleming County. Funding will be used to attain a qualified firm to assist in various broadband planning activities.
Bracken County Fiscal Court will use a $125,000 Broadband Technical Assistance grant to promote the expansion of high-speed internet in four communities across Bracken County. Funding will be used to attain a qualified firm to assist in various broadband planning activities. The selected firm will work with the Bracken County judge executive and other stakeholders to conduct a broadband feasibility study and analysis and to create a strategic plan for future broadband implementation.
Powell County Fiscal Court will use a $300,000 Community Facilities grant to purchase fire trucks for use in emergency situations throughout the county. The investment will serve nearly 13,500 residents.
The city of Barbourville (Knox County) will use a $36,000 Community Facilities grant to continue maintaining roadways and facilities with a new street department vehicle. This investment will impact over 3,000 people.
The city of Manchester (Clay County) will use a $21,700 Community Facilities grant to equip the city with two mowers, which will allow the city to continue to maintain its streets and facilities. This project will impact roughly 1,300 people.
Four Rivers Behavioral Health will use a $279,698 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant to equip three hub sites and four hub/end-user sites throughout Hickman, Fulton, Carlisle, Ballard, McCracken, Graves, and Calloway counties to provide telehealth services. Clinical professionals at Western Kentucky Regional Mental Health and Four Rivers Behavioral Health will be able to deliver telehealth services for those in need of treatment for mental health and/or substance use issues as well as psychiatric evaluations and medication management services to four locations benefitting 5,515 individuals.
Union College will use a $787,400 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant to equip five hub sites and four end-user sites throughout Knox and Whitley counties with live, interactive video conferencing technology. Instructors at Union College in Knox County will deliver registered nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing and pre-licensure-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses to four locations benefitting 1,024 students and 110 faculty members in rural Kentucky communities.
Dayspring Health Inc. will use a $746,351 Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant to equip nine hub/end-user sites throughout Whitley County, and Campbell and Claiborne counties in eastern Tennessee with telemedicine pods and accessories. Medical professionals at Dayspring Health Inc. will deliver primary care telehealth throughout the greater Kentucky and Tennessee regions to nine locations benefitting 4,120 individuals.
Jackson Energy Cooperative will use a $42,000,000 Electric Infrastructure Program guaranteed loan to connect 3,712 consumers and build and improve 195 miles of line. Jackson Energy is headquartered in McKee, Kentucky, and serves an average of 52,719 members over 5,834 miles of energized line across 15 counties.
Moses Drilling Company LLC (Knox County) will use a $13,600 Rural Energy for America Program grant to install a 11.05-kilowatt rooftop solar system. This project is expected to save $1,295.91 per year. This system will generate 14,399 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power one home.
Longs Pic Pac Inc. (Bell County) will use a $148,320 Rural Energy for America Program grant to install a 143.1-kilowatt, roof-mounted solar system. This project is expected to save $6,649.83 per year. This system will generate 172,723 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough energy to power 15.92 homes.
Longs Pic Pac Inc. (Bell County) will also use a $365,656 Rural Energy for America Program grant to upgrade 25-year-old refrigerated display cases, frozen display cases, walk in freezer and refrigerated food preparation rooms. The project is expected to save $2,284 per year in energy costs and save 59,483 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 5.5 homes.
The city of Gamaliel (Monroe County) will use a $30,000 Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households grant to complete a feasibility study/preliminary engineering report on the wastewater system. The study/report will evaluate the entire wastewater utility and the need for project improvements and/or modifications for the existing wastewater system. This project will impact about 400 people.
During the Biden-Harris administration, USDA Rural Kentucky has obligated over $3.1 billion to support economic prosperity and quality of life improvements in rural Kentucky. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ky.