Four Kentucky Riverports Receive $500,000 In Grants

Four Kentucky riverports are receiving $500,000 in state grants for infrastructure improvements and equipment.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced the Kentucky Riverport Improvement Program grants June 30.

“Our Kentucky riverports play a unique role in our commerce and our transportation system,” Beshear said. “We’re pleased to be able to provide funding for these worthy projects.”

Funding was awarded for eight separate projects at the riverports and must be locally matched. Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray approved the awards following the recommendation of the Kentucky Water Transportation Advisory Board, which reviewed the grant applications.

“The grants will help these riverports meet a range of needs for both operations and capacity,” Gray said. 

The funding for the grants was appropriated by the 2022 General Assembly.

Grant Awards

The grant awards are as follows:

Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority: 

• $105,058 toward purchase of a new winch system to position barges for loading/unloading. 

• $110,229 to turn 3 acres of property into a dry bulk storage yard. 

Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority: 

• $50,000 toward an array of stabilization and safety repairs to three aging mooring cells. 

• $31,800 for dredging around port docks. 

Owensboro Riverport Authority: 

• $57,490 toward replacement of a crane bucket. 

• $36,790 toward purchase of a wheel loader to replace a skid steer. 

• $35,912 toward a new and larger grapple for loading steel scrap barges. 

Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority: 

• $72,721 toward construction of a steel commodity hopper and gate system.