Kentucky Awards More Than $5 Million In Riverport Grants
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the awarding of $5.7 million July 3 for 15 Kentucky public riverport projects designed to enhance industry and support future expansion of the state’s waterborne economy.
“This investment is about more than replacing outdated equipment, paving roads and upgrading ports,” Beshear said. “It’s about driving industry growth, creating good-paying jobs and keeping Kentucky’s transportation network ahead of the curve.”
At the beginning of 2024, the Kentucky General Assembly allocated – and Gov. Beshear approved – $15 million for the next two years for the newly created Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance (KPRCM) grant. The state’s Kentucky Riverport Improvement (KRI) program provides additional grant support.
In the latest round of funding, projects were reviewed by the Water Transportation Advisory Board, which recommended that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet approve $5,175,801 for 10 KPRCM projects and $500,000 for five KRI projects.
The investment includes funds to maintain current operations and improve current facilities and infrastructure, including conveyor replacements, dock upgrades, forklift and yard truck purchases, barge cell revitalization and paving.
The 10 KPRCM projects awarded are: $675,801 to the Greenup-Boyd County Riverport Authority for a material-handling replacement and improvement project; $750,000 to the Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority for a mooring dolphin installation project; $750,000 to the Henderson County Riverport Authority for an electric material handler project; $750,000 to the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority for a conveyor upgrade and replacement project; $750,000 to the Louisville-Jefferson County Riverport Authority for a gantry superstructure upgrade and crane and wharf replacement project; $545,000 to the Owensboro Riverport Authority for two 25,000-pound forklifts; $155,000 to the Owensboro Riverport Authority for a 4×2 DOT yard truck project; $50,000 to the Owensboro Riverport Authority for the triple mast forklift with carton clamp project; $50,000 to the Paducah-McCracken Riverport Authority for the second phase of its barge cell revitalization project; and $250,000 to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority for a fertilizer conveyor system replacement project.
The five KRI projects are: $91,928 to the Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Authority for a paving project; $76,472 to the Henderson County Riverport Authority for a dock staging pad project; $91,662 to the Louisville-Jefferson County Riverport Authority for a barge cover hadndling system project; $143,938 to the Owensboro Riverport Authority for two CAT 255 compact track loaders; and $96,000 to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority for a mobile crane project.
This is the third round of KPCRM funding. In August 2024, Beshear announced that eight KPRCM projects and eight KRI projects had been approved for the state’s riverports. In January of this year, an additional round of KPRCM grants funded equipment replacements and expansion for the Greenup-Boyd County Riverport Authority and West Kentucky Regional Riverport Authority.
“Kentucky’s riverports move billions in freight each year,” Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said. “With this investment, we’re reinforcing our position as a central logistics hub for the nation.”
Approved grants must be used to improve riverport facilities and infrastructure for new construction and major replacement or repair projects, including but not limited to the improvement of docks, wharves, equipment, port buildings, storage facilities, roads and railroads to facilitate the flow of commerce through the port, other onsite improvements and related professional services.
