During his weekly Team Kentucky Update, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the first grant recipients from the 2021 application cycle of the Disaster Recovery Program on Thursday, March 28.
In western Kentucky, Mayfield, Bowling Green, Marshall County and Fulton County received grants to help them recover from recent flooding and tornadoes that impacted their communities.
Mayfield was awarded $5.9 million to improve their storm water infrastructure after the town was impacted by flooding in June 2023. Mayfield Mayor, Kathy Stewart O’Nan expressed her appreciation for the grant and Mayfield Public Works Director, Adam Blount says the grant will go toward rebuilding bridges, culverts and stabilizing creeks.
Next, Bowling Green was awarded around $2 million to build two duplexes and six family homes after they were impacted by a tornado in 2021. Bowling Green City Manager, Jeff Meisel says the grant will help them build more affordable housing which they are currently behind on.
Along with Bowling Green, Marshall County received $654,000 for a house rehabilitation project for places affected by the 2021 tornado. Marshall County Deputy Judge Executive, Andrew Pagel shared that many homes were ravaged by the tornado that impacted Mayfield and the grant will help those that are still rebuilding their homes.
Next, Fulton County received $2 million to acquire lots to build homes for tornado survivors whose homes were destroyed.
Beshear also announced that Kentucky received a grant of $297 million from the federal government and a majority of the grant will go in eastern Kentucky counties such as Breathitt, Letcher, Knott, Perry and Pike Counties to help with their flood recovery efforts.
Along with the grant awards, Beshear shared that starting on April 1 the Department for Local Government began accepting applications for the next cycle of disaster recovery grants.
More information about the grant and the application is available at kydlgweb.ky.gov.