U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced 17 projects in rural Kentucky totaling over $8.9 million.
The projects will support local economic development plans and initiatives in Rural Partners Network communities in Kentucky.
“The Biden-Harris administration’s Rural Partners Network took a bold step in helping previously underserved areas access federal resources, and these projects show the effectiveness of RPN,” said Carew. “From businesses to communities to individual homeowners, this administration has a strong record of investing in rural Kentucky. Through RPN, we’ve been able to break down barriers and help communities access the resources they need.”
Jackson Purchase Distillery LLC (Fulton County) will use a $3,343,404 Business and Industry guaranteed loan to further expand existing distillery operations through the construction of a second rick house.
The city of Arlington (Carlisle County) will use $21,7000 Community Facilities grant to purchase a 24-kilowatt generator. The project will equip the city hall and fire department building with a generator in order to provide electrical backup in the event of an outage.
The city of Fulton (Fulton County) will use a $391,000 Community Facilities loan to purchase a ladder fire truck, replacing the outdated existing fire truck. The new truck will allow for improved services by accommodating more equipment and a larger water storage tank.
Wolfe County Fiscal Court will use a $39,400 Community Facilities grant to purchase of a vehicle to be used by the Wolfe County Sheriff's Office.
Partnership Housing 67 Lone Oak (Owsley County) will use a $200,000 Housing Preservation Grant to assist 12 very-low-income homeowners with a variety of home repairs and improvement projects.
Leslie Knott Letcher Perry Community Action Council will use an $80,000 Housing Preservation Grant to assist eight very-low-income homeowners with a variety of home repairs and improvement projects.
Housing Development Alliance (Perry County) will use a $200,000 Housing Preservation Grant to assist eight very-low-income homeowners with a variety of home repairs and improvement projects.
Kentucky Highlands Investment Corp (Laurel County) will use a $362,026 Intermediary Relending Program loan to promote economic development through investment in viable businesses located in or which will locate within a 22-county service area located in southeastern Kentucky.
Kentucky Highlands Investment Corp (Laurel County) will use a $199,999 Rural Business Development Grant to recapitalize a revolving loan fund to assist small businesses.
Sprocket Inc. (McCracken County) will use a $45,596 Rural Business Development Grant to expand a regional virtual business incubator in order to provide small and emerging businesses greater access to a virtual, interactive online platform.
Tim Short Chrysler LLC (Perry County) will use a $198,220 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a combined 245.6-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $21,214 per year in energy costs and generate 161,942 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 14 homes.
SJ Automotive Holdings Inc. (Perry County) will use a $234,538 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a combined 245.6-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $34,577 per year in energy costs and generate 270,054 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power 24 homes.
MD Investment Holdings LLC (Letcher County) will use a $95,475 Rural Energy for America Program grant to purchase and install a 70.6-kilowatt solar system. The project is expected to save $12,673 per year in energy costs and generate 101,380 kilowatt hours of energy per year, which is enough to power approximately 9.31 homes.
The city of Pineville (Bell County) will use a $1,000,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to replace sidewalks, widen streets around Courthouse Square, resurface crosswalks and parking areas with permeable pavers, burying overhead utilities, and installing public Wi-Fi.
Discover Downtown Middlesboro (Bell County) will use a $244,488 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to assist with the demolition and site cleanup of a four-story building located on Cumberland Avenue in downtown Middlesboro.
Perry County Fiscal Court will use a $920,800 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for the renovation of six sewer lift stations.
The city of Harlan (Harlan County) will use a $1,351,416 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to install 5,500 linear feet of sewer pipe and a lift station.
During the Biden-Harris administration, USDA Rural Development has supported economic prosperity and quality of life improvements in rural Kentucky by obligating over $3.7 billion. 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.