Gov. Beshear Announces $1 Million for New Water Treatment Plant in Green County

Press Release

Governor Steve Beshear today announced a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) to assist with the design and construction of a new water treatment plant in the city of Greensburg in Green County.

"Our rural Kentucky communities need safe, quality and efficient infrastructure in order to grow and thrive," said Gov. Beshear. "This water infrastructure project in Greensburg will not only help Green County residents, but also support future economic and housing growth in the region."

The city's current water infrastructure is 50 years old. Its water treatment plant serves at 85 percent capacity and needs to be larger in order to accommodate the community's future growth. The city's intake structure has also experienced flooding incidents that have made the water unusable for residents for up to eight days.

The new project consists of the design and construction of a new 2 million gallons--per-day (MGD) water treatment plant to replace the current, outdated 1.2-MGD plant. The project also includes a new water intake structure on the Green River, and new raw water and finished water transmission mains.

The $1 million CDBG is administered by the Department for Local Government. The remainder of the project is being funded by a $3 million USDA Rural Development loan, a $1.3 million USDA Rural Development grant, a $2 million Economic Development Administration grant and $350,000 from the city of Greensburg.

"This grant is great news for the people of Greensburg, because it will help give them the modern treatment plant they deserve and that they will need to grow in the years ahead," said Rep. Terry Mills. "The General Assembly and Governor Beshear's administration have worked hard to extend and improve access when it comes to clean drinking water, and this grant is the latest example of that commitment."

"The Green County Fiscal Court and I have spent the last four years laying the groundwork for expansion and industry in Green County," said Green County Judge-Executive Misty Edwards. "Because of the $1 million community development block grant, we are now more ready than ever to bring jobs to our community. At last Green County is becoming competitive and will now have the infrastructure to attract industry and grow our small businesses. On behalf of Green County, I say to you Governor Beshear, thank you for helping us move Green County forward!"

"This project has been a long time in the works and with the help of our funding partners it will now be a reality," said Greensburg Mayor Lisle Cheatham. "This facility will help fuel growth in our community and ensure not only quality water, but affordable water rates for another 50 years for both Greensburg and Green County."

"The new water treatment plant project in Greensburg will set the community on the right path for economic growth and expansion," said DLG Commissioner Wilder. "Thanks to the federal, state and local partners who worked together to bring this important project to the citizens of Green County."

The state's CDBG program is administered by DLG and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Kentucky's Congressional leaders' continued support of the CDBG program ensures the availability of continued funding in Kentucky and nationally

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