Kentucky Awards Grants For 16 Port Projects
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s office announced $5.5 million in state investment in 16 public riverport projects August 26, all designed to enhance the ports’ economic activity and support future expansion.
Grants will fund dredging, mooring and warehouse repairs, port equipment purchases and other needs.
Half of the grant projects come from the Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance (KPRCM) grant program. Earlier this year, the Kentucky General Assembly allocated $15 million over the next two years for the new grant program.
Additionally, $500,000 for another eight projects was awarded through the annual Kentucky Riverport Improvement (KRI) grant program.
“Kentucky is a national leader in logistics, and our riverports are responsible for moving billions of dollars’ worth of freight,” Beshear said in a news release. “This investment is the first step, and we’re just getting started. Each round of approved projects is critical to expanding capacity and doing more business, which means more money stays here in Kentucky.”
Projects were reviewed by the Water Transportation Advisory Board, which recommended the projects for approval from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
“An investment in our transportation infrastructure is an investment in our economy and in every Kentuckians’ quality of life,” Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said. “Our waterways are a vital mode of transportation for the efficient transport of goods, which also reduces wear and tear from vehicle travel on our roadways each year.”
Approved grants must be used to improve riverfront facilities and infrastructure for new construction and major replacement or repair projects. Eligible projects do not include routine operations, maintenance or repair activities. Kentucky has 10 public riverports.
The following projects garnered KPRCM grants:
• Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority, $750,000, dolphin installation project
• Henderson County Riverport Authority, $750,000, electric material handler project
• Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority, $481,900, mooring dock cell repair project
• Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority, $268,100, Volvo L90H2 wheeled loader project
• Louisville-Jefferson County Riverport Authority, $700,000, gantry crane rehab project
• Maysville-Mason County Port Authority, $622,522, riverport equipment purchase project
• Owensboro Riverport Authority, $750,000, Warehouse 10 project
• Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority, $750,000, barge cell revitalization project
The following KRI grants were announced:
• Henderson County Riverport Authority, $27,413, 12,000-pound forklift project
• Henderson County Riverport Authority, $95,360, 15,000-pound forklift project
• Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority, $65,376, dock dredging project
• Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority, $19,600, spreader bar and coil hooks project
• Louisville-Jefferson County Riverport Authority, $65,207, Caterpillar 225 skid steer project
• Owensboro Riverport Authority, $244,398, low road loadout project
• Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority, $28,240, 48-foot flatbed trailer project
• Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority, $46,055, Bobcat S650 skid steer project
