Trio of southern Laurel Co. water projects funded

Funding for three southern Laurel County water projects was included in a $3,015,506 funding announcement that Gov. Andy Beshear made Monday, which will benefit one city and seven utilities in Clay and Laurel counties.

Included in the $2,284,621 in Laurel County awards was $110,988 for the Corbin City Utilities Commission for rehabilitation of the North Corbin Water Tank, $453,032 for Laurel County Water District No. 2 for a full-scale rehabilitation of the district’s existing Aisin Water Storage Tank located in the Lily community, and $452,996 for the West Laurel Water Association to replace undersized waterlines and provide better fire protection.

“It is a very exciting opportunity to join my colleagues who also represent Laurel County in announcing such a vital infrastructure update,” 82^nd Rep. Regina Huff said Monday. She represents Whitley County, as well as a portion of Laurel County. “Access to clean drinking water has been a priority for the legislature for quite some time, and it is uplifting to see these projects come to fruition, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share this news.”

The funding, from the Better Kentucky Plan’s $250 million Cleaner Water Program, will deliver clean drinking water and improved sewer and water systems. The program is estimated to create approximately 3,800 jobs across the state.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA), $250 million was appropriated at the close of the 2021 General Assembly through a bipartisan agreement for clean drinking water and wastewater grants to fund projects across Kentucky.

The Cumberland Valley Area Development District submitted funding requests for Clay and Laurel counties’ projects to the KIA.

“Kentuckians deserve clean water – a basic human right,” said Beshear. “What’s more, when we invest in our water and sewer infrastructure, we make every Kentucky community more attractive for companies looking to move or expand here, building on our incredible economic momentum. These projects are the right thing to do and the smart thing to do.”

Other Laurel County projects that were funded include:

• $448,640 for the East Laurel Water District for system improvements on Old Salem Road and McWhorter Road;
• $339,313 for the London Utility Commission to extend sewer service to the Rowland Industrial Park;
• $428,452 for the Wood Creek Water District to replace a problematic pipe section and improve service for 7,000 customers; and
• $51,200 for the City of London from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for new trail signs and trail maintenance at Levi Jackson Wilderness Park.