Beshear awards area organizations $1.2M

Staff Report

 

Governor Andy Beshear visited the local YMCA last Friday and presented over $1.2 million in awards for both Barren and Allen Counties for nonprofits.

The funds are to support law enforcement, tourism, flood control, parks, and nonprofits.

Beshear said over the prior three years, $26 billion in new development has taken place. Friday’s funding was for organizations impacted by the pandemic.

”We are promoting local tourism, increasing public safety, and supporting nonprofits that make such a difference for this community,” Beshear said in a news release, “As Governor, and especially as a dad, nothing is more important to me than building a better Kentucky for all our people.”

Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd said the funding would benefit Barren County for decades. “We will keep working on behalf of our people to secure a brighter future for everyone,” she added.

Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse said, “Every dollar announced for our community today will improve a life. We are grateful for these funds and we will continue to work to improve the lives of the people of Glasgow.”

During the 2022 Regular Session, the legislature appropriated $75 million to support tourism recovery and investment in local communities, Rep. Steve Riley of Glasgow said. Riley also said, “Without a doubt, an investment this size gives tourism the resources the industry needs to be on the path toward success. I understand the vital role that tourism plays to the local economy.”

COVID-19 almost collapsed tourism and the convention business across the nation and tourism is vital to Cave City, explained Jennifer McNett, executive director of the Cave City Convention Center and Tourism Bureau.

Cave City received the largest amount of $750,000 to renovate an old grocery building to serve as a new Boys and Girls Club in Cave City, which will be an extension of the Glasgow-Barren center. The funding stems from the Community Development Block Grant, which is administered at the state level by the DLG.

Beshear awarded over $427,000 between the two counties from the Nonprofit Assistance Fund to assist pandemic-related impacts on nonprofit organizations. For Barren, the awards include $100,000 to the YMCA; $100,000 to the BGC of Glasgow-Barren; $68,352 to the Glasgow-Barren Chamber of Commerce; $14,778 to the New Far Off Broadway Players; and $3,019.39 to the local Salvation Army.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

Beshear recapped his announcement that he selected Park City as one of 37 Kentucky communities to receive federal Land and Water Conservation Funding. If approved by the National Park Service (NPS), Park City plans to use $26,838 to construct a full outdoor basketball court and outdoor bocce ball court at Bell’s Tavern.

The funding is administered at the state level by the Department for Local Government. To receive funds, selected applicants must first undergo review and receive approval from the NPS.

“We’re excited to get the ball rolling on improving Bell’s Tavern Park,” said Larry Poteet, mayor of Park City. “The addition of the basketball and bocce court will be a great addition to the park. We will continue to support projects that improve the health and well-being of the people in Park City.”

Law Enforcement Protection Program

Funding for law enforcement agencies in Allen and Barren Counties totals $88,000 from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security through the Law Enforcement Protection Program and is planned to be used to better protect police officers with things such as training and new equipment.

The awards include $12,700 to the City of Scottsville; $38,237.57 to the Barren Co. Sheriff’s Office; $21,482 to Cave City; and $15,854.50 to the City of Glasgow.