LaRue and Nelson counties are among 13 Kentucky counties that received state funding for projects that are part of Phase Two of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative.
According to a release from the governor’s office, the matching funds support job growth and economic development by providing funding for local communities to invest in site and building upgrades. The initiative is overseen by the Cabinet for Economic Development.
The City of Hodgenville, on behalf of the LaRue County Fiscal Court and LaRue County Industrial Foundation, received $600,000 to go towards a $1.2 million project to install a sanitary sewer forced main at the recently acquired industrial development site in Upton.
“We’ve been really fortunate and able to get money for both rounds, and round one was property acquisition, round two we asked for a sewer main because you have to have the big three utilities of water, sewer, gas availability,” said LaRue County Judge-Executive and LaRue County Industrial Foundation President Blake Durrett. “We have a good location, so we’re just continuing to build our portfolio there in Upton.”
Durrett says the funding allows LaRue County to create new opportunities while maintaining its rural roots.
“If we can invest in this sewer that will in turn bring us manufacturing and jobs, I think it’s money well spent,” Durrett said. “You know, planting a seed to get greater yield.”
Nelson County also received funding, applied for via the City of Bardstown. $630,000 was approved for a $1.2 million project aimed at extending utilities and existing roadways in the Nelson County Industrial Park.
Learn more about the Kentucky Product Development Initiative at kpdi.ky.gov.
