Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman on Thursday presented more than $3.7 million to Daviess County for Cleaner Water Program projects, as well as an additional $1 million grant to go towards the purchase a new facility for the OASIS Domestic Violence Program.
The funding for the OASIS facility comes via the Community Development Block Grant program. Daviess County Fiscal Court applied for the grant late last year after OASIS learned they would have to be out of their current location by this September.
Andrea Robinson, Executive Director of Oasis, previously said the project will allow the organization to provide non-congregate shelter. Since they are congregate housing, many of the women housed in the program are living in one area; this will allow for an expansion.
“Our participants, residents in our program will be able to be in their own individual units, which will not only prevent the spread of COVID-19 but it will also help provide them individualized space and decrease the risk of further trauma,” Robinson said previously.
The other funding Coleman presented is part of Gov. Andy Beshear’s Better Kentucky Plan. The Cleaner Water Program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA).
“Investments in infrastructure, like high-speed internet, clean water, roads and bridges provide Kentucky a solid foundation for building tomorrow’s economy, today,” Coleman said.
Local organizations received funding as follows:
- $2,115,000 to Daviess County Water District to update water lines, pump stations and install new meters
- $847,596 to Daviess County Fiscal Court to replace water lines on Jack Hinton Road
- $297,000 to Owensboro Municipal Utilities to replace water mains on Cedar Street, Stonewall Court, Jeff Place and Burkhead Avenue
- $198,679 to the City of Whitesville to improve water quality for 19 households along Ward Road and
- $269,823 to the Regional Water Resource Agency for upgrades at the Williamsburg Square Pump Station.
“These investments from the Cleaner Water Grant program will allow our municipal water plant, water district, water association and regional sewer agency to make upgrades and replace aging infrastructure,” Daviess County Judge/Executive Al Mattingly said. “These projects have been needed for a long time and now will become a reality.”
Billy Higdon, Daviess County Water District General Manager, said that their funding will go toward completing five projects in their 20-year plan.
For Kasey Emmick, East Daviess County Water Association Manager, said the project was much needed to complete improvements to their systems – without costing the customers.
While in Owensboro, Coleman also accepted a $40,000 check from the Owensboro Health Foundation for Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, and thanked the foundation for their generosity.
