Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) announced today the City of Cumberland received a $500,000 competitive federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to improve or provide new water service to 250 households and five businesses in Harlan and Letcher Counties. In addition to the federal funding, local sources will provide $800,000 to upgrade 10,000 linear feet of water distribution lines, construct two water pump stations, and build a 157,000 gallon water storage tank.
The project will be funded by an ARC program, established by Senator McConnell, for water and other infrastructure priorities in distressed counties throughout Central Appalachia. These communities have received more than $40 million from this ARC fund.
“New water infrastructure can greatly improve the quality of life in this wonderful region. It can also pave the way for future development and growth. I’m proud the ARC program I established continues to invest in Kentucky families and their bright future,” said Senator McConnell. “With Congressman Rogers, I’ll keep working to deliver for these communities.”
The current Cumberland water system experiences significant leaks, leading to decreased water pressure and volume for customers. The aging distribution lines also make them prone to waterline breaks, service outages, and the risk for water contamination.
“Extending and maintaining waterlines in the mountains is no easy feat. It requires partnerships across the federal, state and local levels, and a lot of funding. However, there’s nothing more important than ensuring our people have access to clean water in every corner of Kentucky’s Appalachian region. This is one of the first major water projects of 2021, and it comes at a critical time for urgent repairs to sustain and expand clean water for the people Harlan and Letcher counties,” said Congressman Rogers, who has worked closely with local leaders on the project. “Senator McConnell and I have always closely guarded funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission, which invests in projects for Eastern Kentucky that would otherwise be stalled. This project has been a long time in the making and this ARC grant is a great way to begin the new year.”
“I want to thank everyone involved in securing these ARC funds, especially Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for their continued support,” said Cumberland Mayor Charles Raleigh. “The City of Cumberland is appreciative of the grant as it will allow the city to achieve water quality for 200 underserved customers of Cumberland and help provide drinking water to approximately 150 households in Letcher County.”
The project will be funded by an ARC program, established by Senator McConnell, for water and other infrastructure priorities in distressed counties throughout Central Appalachia. These communities have received more than $40 million from this ARC fund.
“New water infrastructure can greatly improve the quality of life in this wonderful region. It can also pave the way for future development and growth. I’m proud the ARC program I established continues to invest in Kentucky families and their bright future,” said Senator McConnell. “With Congressman Rogers, I’ll keep working to deliver for these communities.”
The current Cumberland water system experiences significant leaks, leading to decreased water pressure and volume for customers. The aging distribution lines also make them prone to waterline breaks, service outages, and the risk for water contamination.
“Extending and maintaining waterlines in the mountains is no easy feat. It requires partnerships across the federal, state and local levels, and a lot of funding. However, there’s nothing more important than ensuring our people have access to clean water in every corner of Kentucky’s Appalachian region. This is one of the first major water projects of 2021, and it comes at a critical time for urgent repairs to sustain and expand clean water for the people Harlan and Letcher counties,” said Congressman Rogers, who has worked closely with local leaders on the project. “Senator McConnell and I have always closely guarded funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission, which invests in projects for Eastern Kentucky that would otherwise be stalled. This project has been a long time in the making and this ARC grant is a great way to begin the new year.”
“I want to thank everyone involved in securing these ARC funds, especially Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for their continued support,” said Cumberland Mayor Charles Raleigh. “The City of Cumberland is appreciative of the grant as it will allow the city to achieve water quality for 200 underserved customers of Cumberland and help provide drinking water to approximately 150 households in Letcher County.”