Gov. Beshear Celebrates 7 New Homes for Tornado Survivors in Dawson Springs, $6.3 Million in Funding in Hopkins County

Funds will expand high-speed internet, improve roads, bolster industrial sites and support tourism industry

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (Sept. 11, 2024) - Today, Gov. Beshear joined local leaders to celebrate seven new homes for 2021 tornado survivors in Dawson Springs. The Governor also announced $6,369,839 in funding to expand internet access, improve roads, support industrial development and market tourism destinations in the region.

"Today, we took another step toward rebuilding from the tornadoes that hit nearly three years ago," said Gov. Beshear. "We're building homes and investing in our community infrastructure, setting our people up for sustained success. We promised to be here for the long run, and we're making good on our promise."

"We continue to make progress in rebuilding from the 2021 tornadoes," said Hopkins County Judge/Executive Jack Whitfield. "Today, we celebrated seven new homes for survivors who have been through incredibly difficult times. We also celebrated funds to make life better for the people who call Hopkins County home. We will keep giving the people of Hopkins County our very best and rebuilding our community together."

Seven Homes Dedicated
Gov. Beshear joined leaders from Kentucky Habitat for Humanity to celebrate seven more tornado survivors moving into homes in Dawson Springs. Six of the homes were partially funded with $600,000 from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. The homes were built by Habitat for Humanity.

More than $21.6 million has been committed from the fund to construct or repair 300 homes. To date, 216 home-building projects are completed, under construction or approved to start construction.

Internet Expansion
Gov. Beshear presented $4,945,826 to Charter Communications to connect 817 homes and businesses in Hopkins County to high-speed internet. When combined with $5,518,500 in matching funds from the company, this project represents a $10,464,326 investment in the community.

"Charter applauds the Beshear administration's bold initiative to quickly connect every Kentuckian to reliable, high-quality broadband," said Jeff Gehrig, regional vice president of field operations for Charter Communications. "Spectrum's expansion in Hopkins County will deliver symmetrical and multigigabit speed internet access to more than 800 unserved homes and small businesses. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to extend our ongoing partnership with Kentucky leaders - including the General Assembly and local and county leaders - who, like the administration, recognize the importance of rural connectivity to Kentucky's future."

Supporting Industry
Gov. Beshear celebrated $1,104,013 in funds for the Hopkins County Fiscal Court and the city of Madisonville to transform a 72-acre property on Rose Creek Road into the largest shovel-ready site in Hopkins County. The $21.7 million project was approved for $1.1 million in state funding through the state's Kentucky Product Development Initiative in July of 2023.

Tourism Marketing Funding
Gov. Beshear awarded $250,000 to Hopkins and Christian counties to support multicounty collaborative destination marketing. The award is part of the $75 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding announced by the Governor to boost the state's tourism industry and economy following the decline in visitors brought on by the pandemic.

The collaborative tourism projects include the following:

• $150,000 to the Western Kentucky BBQ Belt. With 12 participating jurisdictions, this project showcases locally owned restaurants celebrating the western region's signature barbecue.
• $100,000 to the West Kentucky Distillery Tour. Five participating jurisdictions aim to encourage bourbon enthusiasts to visit the western region by highlighting local distilleries.

"We're incredibly grateful to the state of Kentucky for this generous grant. This funding will help us continue to grow and add notoriety to our Western Kentucky Distilleries and contribute to the region's economy," said Amy Rogers, Hopkinsville Tourism Executive Director.

Road Funding
Gov. Beshear presented $70,000 to the city of Madisonville to resurface part of Bacon Boulevard.

Also today, the Governor presented over $9 million in funding to Christian County, demonstrating his commitment to investing in Western Kentucky.

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