Beshear announces $5.5 million in grants for Madison County

Mar. 22—Blake Vickers

Governor Andy Beshear delivered 14 big blue checks to the Telford YMCA in Richmond on Wednesday afternoon, as $5.5 million in grants were announced for various Madison County programs.

"These awards are going to support tourism, clean water projects, and local non-profits doing God's work in Madison County. These awards are a testament to the faith and values of this community," Beshear said.

The Richmond Tourism Commission was presented a $288,570 in ARPA funds for tourism marketing.

Several organizations were awarded grants via the Committed Cleaner Water Program. They included:

$2,171,259 to the City of Richmond.

$640,121 to the Southern Madison Water District.

$254,104 to the Northern Madison Sanitation District.

$238,747 to the Kirksville Water Association.

$1,368,737 to the Madison County Utilities District.

"In these cleaner water programs, money was provided to every county in a certain amount. (It was) not Frankfort telling you what to do — you decided what the most important projects were for your county," Beshear said. "All the mayors and judges had to agree to submit those projects. Some said it couldn't be done. I'm here to tell you that all 120 counties came to an agreement each round of these proposals — showing us what government can and should be."

The rest of the awards went to non-profits that have an impact in the community. The funds come from the $75 million Nonprofit Assistance Fund created by the Kentucky General Assembly.

$100,000 went to the Salvation Army of Richmond.

$100,000 went to the Telford Community Center YMCA.

$100,000 went to the Kentucky Music Educators Association.

$100,000 went to the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council.

$100,000 went to the Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties.

$63,802.73 went to the Richmond Area Arts Council.

$32,228 went to CASA of Madison and Clark Counties.

$30,171 went to the Madison Hills Christian Church.

"It's amazing looking around to see how many people are doing God's work. How many people are working in different ways to help people who need just a little extra help," Beshear said. "Right now, when we're creating all these jobs, I think we're in a better position to lift people up."

The governor was joined by State Representative Deanna Frazier Gordon, Judge Executive Reagan Taylor, Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe, Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley, and other community leaders over the course of the meeting.

"I am proud that our Commonwealth of Kentucky has invested in Madison County. It not only betters our quality of lives, but it is investing in people with our nonprofits. If we ever need more investments in more people, if ever in our history, we need it today," Taylor said.