U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Dr. Tom Carew today announced four projects in rural Kentucky will move forward in the awards process to repair or replace essential community facilities damaged by natural disasters in calendar years 2022 and 2023.
The projects will be funded through USDA’s Community Facilities Disaster Grants Program; however, precise grant amounts have not yet been determined.
“Rural Kentucky has been devastated by flooding and other natural disasters, and the Biden-Harris administration stands ready to deploy every available resource to help rural communities rebuild,” said Carew. “These four projects will help with the rebuilding efforts in some of the hardest hit areas of rural Kentucky.”
Wolfcoal Volunteer Fire Department will use funds to replace a rescue truck that was lost in the historical flooding of 2022.
Owsley County Fiscal Court will use funds to purchase a replacement backhoe to assist in the maintenance and repairs needed in the community following 2022 severe weather.
The city of Jackson will use funds to purchase a replacement emergency response vehicle for the fire department after the original vehicle was damaged in the 2022 flood event.
Watts-Caney Volunteer Fire Department Inc. will use funds to replace a pumper/rescue vehicle lost to the 2022 flooding.
During the Biden-Harris administration, USDA Rural Development has supported economic prosperity and quality of life improvements in rural Kentucky by obligating over $3.6 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.