Gov. Beshear’s Senior Advisor Rocky Adkins Presented more than $5.3 Million in Awards for Lawrence County

ROCKY ADKINS, SENIOR Advisor to the Governor, presented Lawrence County with $5.3 million dollars toward improving water lines and promoting tourism on Monday at an event held at the Garden Theater. BSN photo/Lilly Adkins

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA —Senior Advisor to Gov. Andy Beshear, Rocky Adkins presented more than $5.3 million in funding to benefit Lawrence County to support cleaner water and to increase tourism in an event hosted at the Garden Theater.

“The projects we’re funding are improving infrastructure and tourism that is bringing more people here to Eastern Kentucky,” Adkins said, in a release issued after the visit. “These kinds of projects move all Kentuckians forward and support our communities. When state and local leaders work together, days like today are possible.”

“The funds announced today will all build up our infrastructure and help us better serve our people,” Louisa Mayor Harold Slone said.” These kinds of investments make sure we are providing essential services to our community. We’re appreciative of the state funds and will keep working to move Louisa forward.”

Adkins announced $4.3 million in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission to the Big Sandy Water District that will go toward replacing waterline between Louisa and Catlettsburg. A new water tank will also be constructed at Donithan Branch. The new waterline will improve water services to 200 homes and two businesses.

The release said the current waterline has experienced five breaks in the last year.

Adkins also announced $989,713 from the Cleaner Water Program, with $233,000 to the Big Sandy Water District to provide public water service to 58 homes for the first time and $756,713 to the city of Louisa and to replace leak-prone waterlines as well as extending public water service to nine homes for the first time.

Lawrence County Tourism Commission accepted $43,689, from Adkins, through Kentucky Department of Tourism, to support travel marketing and promotion.

Adkins also mentioned that Lawrence County was awarded $238,443 in Kentucky Transportation Cabinet discretionary funds to help resurface portions of Glenwood Branch Road, Roe Creek and Left Fork Morgans Creek Road.

Adkins also made an announcement regarding the bridge on 581, saying that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet would be letting the project to repair the bridge on Thursday, Oct. 26.