MARSHALL COUNTY TO RECEIVE NEARLY $12 MILLION FOR LOCAL PROJECTS

MARSHALL COUNTY TO RECEIVE NEARLY 

$12 MILLION FOR LOCAL PROJECTS  

Water and Wastewater, Economic Development  and Tourism Among Beneficiaries

FRANKFORT, KY (January 12, 2023) – Marshall County is set to receive nearly $12 million in federal grant funding for various projects throughout the county, including improvements to residents' water and wastewater services, traffic and access points at the industrial park, high school technical center and to strengthen the marketing efforts of local tourism.

Improvement Coming to Marshall County Residents' Water and Wastewater Services:

Calvert City

The city is awarded $300,379 to improve the city's existing water treatment plant pumping and control systems. The improvements will include the addition of variable frequency drives to the existing high-service pumps and actuator valve(s) and replacing the system PLC and HMI control systems. 

Calvert City is also awarded $180,400 for a project that includes replacing approximately 530 linear feet of existing cast iron water main with a history of breaks and low service levels near the city's water plant.  The proposed project will replace the crossing at Cypress Creek with a new HDPE water main.

Hardin

The city is awarded $480,000 for Phase three of its wastewater rehabilitation project.  Phases one and two were completed in 2007 and 2012.  These budget-driven projects addressed some mainline sewer issues and significant manhole rehabilitation. Phase III will continue those efforts.

North Marshall

The North Marshall Water District is awarded $480,779 for a project replacing approximately 2.8 miles of 3-inch, 4-inch, 6-inch and 8-inch water lines in an area damaged by December 2021 tornadoes. The project includes main replacement, service line and meter replacements of mains along Cambridge Shores Drive, Concord Drive, Paradise Point, Piedmont Street, Sunset Drive, Lakeshore Drive, Cape Fear Drive, Lexington Drive, Kentucky Avenue, and Woolridge Street.

"I'm thrilled to see the Kentucky General Assembly's investment of one-time federal funds finding their way to Marshall County—notably the additional $250 million allocated for cleaner water and wastewater improvement projects in the 2023-24 budget," state Senator Danny Carroll, R-Benton, said. "Calvert City, Hardin and North Marshall residents will see a notable improvement thanks to these awards."

Funding for water and wastewater improvements authorized by Carroll and the Kentucky General Assembly is distributed through the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA), which allocates funding to projects meeting the state's Cleaner Water Program grant criteria. Since 2021, the Kentucky General Assembly has allocated $500 million in one-time federal funds for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the commonwealth.

Fiscal Court Awarded $527,128 to Improve Industrial Park Access Points:

These funds come through the Delta Regional Authority's (DRA) States' Economic Development Assistance Program, which strategically invests in helping improve the quality of life and boost economic development opportunities in the 252 counties DRA serves.

"I appreciate the Delta Regional Authority's investment in west Kentucky's economic success," Carroll said. "Each of my counties in the 2nd Senate District falls within the footprint of the DRA's States' Economic Development Assistance Program. The significant funding awarded to improve infrastructure and access to our industrial park is welcomed wholeheartedly. Local officials have done a superb job working with the Department for Local Government, making a case for why this project deserves this award money. I truly appreciate everyone involved in making this project possible." 

Marshall County Tourist and Convention Commission Awarded $163,199 Thanks to Senate's $75 Million Proposed Allocation in the 2023-24 State Budget:

In light of the negative impacts of COVID-19 and government restrictions devastating Kentucky's tourism industry, the Senate championed appropriation of $75 million to Kentucky's Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. The governor did not include this funding in his budget proposal. It was first included in the Senate version, finally making it into the final version of House Bill 1, the 2023-24 biennial budget. 

"Kentucky's tourism industry took a significant hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate recognized the harm the industry endured and provided support for Kentucky's tourism industry," Carroll said. "I am pleased our Marshall County tourism commission will receive a share of those funds to help bolster our local efforts."

Marshall County Local Area Vocational Center Receiving $9,590,200 for Renovation Project:

Carroll and the Kentucky General Assembly provided historic state funding for Local Area Vocational Education Centers (LAVEC) in 2022. Marshall County's funding share comes from an allocation of $155.6 million in ARPA funds in the 2022-23 budget specifically for LAVEC renovations. 

"Since 2017, Kentucky has received significant outside economic investment and job creation, so we must continue addressing workforce challenges so that we can fill job openings," Carroll said. "Our local vocational schools are vital in preparing a skilled workforce. Renovations to the Marshall County High School Technical Center help achieve that goal."

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Senator Danny Carroll, R-Benton, represents the 2nd Senate District, including Ballard, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, and McCracken Counties. He serves as Senate Families and Children Committee chair. He is also a Senate Education, Health Services and Judiciary committee member. Additionally, Carroll is a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Carroll, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate102.jpg.

THAYER RECOGNIZED FOR THE SEVENTH TIME AS MVP FOR KENTUCKY BUSINESS COMMUNITY

THAYER RECOGNIZED FOR THE SEVENTH TIME

AS MVP FOR KENTUCKY BUSINESS COMMUNITY

FRANKFORT, KY (January 10, 2023) - Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, is a Kentucky Chamber of Commerce MVP award recipient for the seventh time.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce,” Thayer said. “It a great job as advocates for the business community, and I consider them a strong partner in our support of industries unique to the commonwealth. You can count on me to continue serving as a voice for Kentucky’s signature industries and small business owners. I look forward to continued work with the chamber as we seek to address workforce needs and expand on Kentucky’s many economic successes in recent years.”

Thayer played an instrumental role in ensuring the passage of top 2022 Chamber priorities, including further steps to eliminate the state income tax, unemployment insurance reform and the critical allocation of $250 million from Kentucky’s general fund to the biennial road plan, which qualified Kentucky and paved the way for historic federal grant awards for the completion of the Brent Spence Bridge Project. Additionally, Thayer is noted for his strong support of Kentucky’s tourism industry and signature horse and bourbon industries.

In addition, the Chamber reports the pro-growth policies supported and passed by Thayer and the Kentucky General Assembly saved Kentucky businesses an estimated $1.281 billion, roughly $19,000 for each employer in the commonwealth.

According to the Chamber, recipients of the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award show strong leadership for the business community by sponsoring or carrying Chamber priority legislation to final passage, showing leadership on the passage of critical legislation to improve Kentucky, or taking hard votes in defense of business.

“Leader Thayer has been a staunch advocate for the business community in the Capitol for as long as he has been in the legislature,” said Ashli Watts, Chamber president and CEO. “He is tied for the most MVP awards the Chamber has ever presented to a lawmaker. We are grateful for Senator Thayer’s partnership and thank him for his continued support for Kentucky businesses.”

Visit legislature.ky.gov for more information on Sen. Damon Thayer. Visit kychamber.com for details on the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Click here to see more on the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s MVP award.

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Senator Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, represents the 17th Senate District, including Grant and Scott Counties, southern Kenton County, and northwestern Fayette County. He is Senate majority floor leader. Thayer is the longest-serving Republican Senate majority floor leader in Kentucky history. He serves as a member of the Senate committees on Agriculture, Licensing and Occupations, and State and Local Government. As Senate majority floor leader, Thayer is a member of the Legislative Research Commission, the Committee on Committees and the Rules Committee. Additionally, he is an Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee member.

THAYER RECOGNIZED FOR THE SEVENTH TIME AS MVP FOR KENTUCKY BUSINESS COMMUNITY

SENATOR DANNY CARROLL CHAIRS INAUGURAL SENATE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN COMMITTEE MEETING

FRANKFORT, KY (January 5, 2023) – The new Senate Standing Committee on Families and Children held its first meeting Wednesday, discussing plans to confront some of the commonwealth's most complicated challenges.

Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, chairs the committee. The committee's scope includes family and children's issues, child welfare, adoptions, protective services, caregiver support, family preservation programs, senior citizen programs, and sexual assault programs.

"The efforts of this committee have my full and undivided attention in the 2023 Legislative Session," Carroll said. "I don't think it's a stretch to say this is the most important committee in the Kentucky General Assembly. No residents of this state are more precious than our most vulnerable. We can address societal challenges if we meet long-term goals such as strengthening the family unit and ensuring self-sufficiency."

Senate Majority Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams serves as committee vice chair.

"I am thrilled to have Senator Adams as vice chair on this committee," Carroll said. "She has a heart and passion for Kentucky children. Her work last session on child welfare reform, Senate Bill 8, was among the best efforts to bring stakeholders together and identify necessary reforms I've seen in Frankfort. I trust the committee membership's intent and focus and know we will work well alongside other state partners." 

Carroll has previously served as co-chair of the Early Childhood Education Task Force during the 2022 Interim and was a Senate Health and Welfare Committee member. The Senate divided the Health and Welfare Committee into two new committees to provide opportunities for additional consideration of social service and health service issues. Those committees are the Families and Children Committee and the Health Services Committee.

On Wednesday, the Senate committee meeting included testimony from Eric Friedlander, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Friedlander praised the lawmakers for the change and said some issues were often overshadowed under the old structure.

Senator Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield, who serves as a Senate Families and Children committee member and recent co-chair of the 2022 Interim CHFS Organizational Structure Operations and Administration Task Force, reminded members of the task force's mission and legislative findings.

"We will have a bill this session that deals with the recommendations that came out of the task force and this committee is part of that," Meredith said. "(CHFS) is our largest cabinet; I think it has more than 7,500 employees. We are trying to do it better, more efficiently and responsibly for consumers. A well-functioning CHFS is incredibly important in the work of this committee."

Meredith added that he expects the task force to continue for two or three years, given the grand scope of the cabinet. You can find the 2022 Interim CHFS Task Force's findings and recommendations by clicking here.

In an emotional close to the meeting, Carroll took time to acknowledge the dedicated service of Dr. Ralph Alvarado, the long-serving chair of the Senate Health and Welfare committee. Alvarado recently announced he had accepted a position in Tennessee Governor Bill Lee's administration as health commissioner.

"Dr. Alvarado has become one of my very closest friends up here," Carroll said. "If I get emotional, I apologize, but his leadership will be missed here. No one in the Senate works harder than this man, and we've been together since day one. Dr. Alvarado and I had a lot of discussions about his decision, but he will be able to serve and positively impact a large population of Tennessee residents.

"Our senate caucus is going to be affected by not having his presence, energy and intellect," Carroll added. "He's one of those people who are in Frankfort for the right reasons."

Others commended Alvarado.

"Many times we are called politicians, and I say, 'No, we are public servants,'" Meredith said. "I don't know anybody who fits the role better than Sen. Alvarado. I will acknowledge I hate to lose anything to Tennessee. However, I feel like this is just temporary. He has left this state in a better position than he found it."

Secretary Friedlander said he appreciated the times Alvarado challenged the cabinet.

"It has been an honor to work with you," Friedlander said. "We have had a lot of deliberation back and forth, and Alvarado gave me confidence when I was on the precipice of decisions. I appreciate his support and when you've challenged me and the cabinet. I want to thank him for his great service."

Alvarado reiterated his reasoning for his decision to accept Gov. Lee's offer and then expounded on the importance of the Senate Families and Children committee.

"First of all, it's been my honor and privilege to serve," Alvarado said. "Serving on a health and welfare committee is difficult given some of the heavy topics and commitment of time required to dive into the issues. Part of the reason we now have two committees is to ensure we have enough time to face issues like child abuse and neglect and to address the elephant in the room, which is often Medicaid. I'm excited about the work this committee will do, and there is no better committee chair than Danny Carroll."

Other committee members include Sen. Rick Girdler, R-Somerset; Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington; Sen. Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield; Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Crofton; Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville; and Sen. Denise Harper Angel, D-Louisville.

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Senator Danny Carroll, R-Benton, represents the 2nd Senate District, including Ballard, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, and McCracken Counties. He serves as Senate Families and Children Committee chair. He is also a Senate Education, Health Services and Judiciary committee member. Additionally, Carroll is a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Carroll, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate102.jpg.