Gov. Beshear Announces Funds for Local Projects
Kathy Clayton
The Ashland Beacon
Several local projects received state funding this week, as Governor Andy Beshear awarded checks totaling $3.9 million during a ceremony at the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center. The funding comes from the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AM-LER) grants, which are administered through the state’s Office of Surface Mining.
The Highlands itself was awarded $1.3 million. “We’re completely jazzed. What this grant means to us here at the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center and to our community is almost indescribable. These funds will enable us to develop our third floor and we will finally be able to get our second elevator up and running. The elevator hasn’t been operational for quite some time. These funds will also help us pay for the two interactive classrooms that will be featured within our Clark Discovery Center.” exclaimed Highland’s director Kim Jenkins. Gov. Beshear also praised the Clark family for their contributions to the project. “The museum is a special facility; I first started coming here when my dad was governor.”
“Without the support of everyone, it (the grant) wouldn’t have been possible,” Jenkins said. “The support we have received has been amazing and we are so very grateful to Amanda Clark who was absolutely instrumental in filling out our application because ofall of her AM-LER experience. She has been successful with several applications that she has done through AMLER in the past. We are beyond delighted to have been chosen to receive this.”
Gov. Beshear also highlighted many recent and upcoming economic successes in Boyd County and all of eastern Kentucky. He pointed out that the Appalachian Regional Commission conference set for September 11-12 in Ashland is sold out, ground has been broken for the racetrack, and said that the planned Boyd County High School technical center will be a magnet to show prospective businesses.
“People here are living out the golden rule, helping their neighbors. There’s a real sense of community,” he declared. “This is why families come here and why businesses will come here,” adding “big things are coming for this county and this region. There are good sites and a skilled work force.”
Ashland Community and Technical College received $1.3 million for the creation of a health science simulation lab. In accepting the check, president of ACTC, Larry Ferguson, stated that the money will be used for all allied health programs at the college, noting that ACTC produces more nurses than any other school in the area.
The Kentucky Product Development Initiative received $750,000 to be used at the East Park industrial development site.
An award of $436,000 was designated for the Daniels Fork Road project, and $20,000 to help residents dispose of household waste in Ashland.
Both the governor and state Representative Scott Sharp praised the bipartisan cooperation that resulted in these successful programs.
“Roads aren’t red or blue, bridges aren’t red or blue,” Sharp said. “I’m happy to be here participating on these bipartisan issues.”
Eastern Kentucky native and assistant to the governor Rocky Adkins closed out the presentations by praising the governor’s focus on Eastern Kentucky, bringing “hope and opportunity. Our region, our people helped to build America.”
