WILLIAMSBURG, KY (August 25, 2026) – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) joined Kentucky Senate President Roberts Stivers and State Rep. Nick Wilson at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center on Tuesday to deliver funding for local infrastructure projects in Whitley County. 

Congressman Rogers delivered a $3 million check to Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison and Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White for the water improvement project in Downtown Williamsburg. Congressman Rogers secured the funding through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 531 Program, created exclusively to expand water and wastewater resources in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. When complete, the $15 million project will impact more than 8,800 homes and 460 businesses.

“Just last week, there was a boil water advisory in downtown Williamsburg. This funding will go a long way to eliminate water problems downtown. It will repair and replace deteriorating waterlines and build a new water tank for the city,” said Congressman Rogers, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Water projects don’t often get big headlines, but strong infrastructure systems are essential to economic development, our schools, our businesses, our homes and our health. I was proud to work with Mayor Harrison and Judge White on this important project in Whitley County.” 

“The total project will cost $15 million, but thanks to Congressman Rogers, Sen. Stivers and Rep. Wilson, we already have $9 million covered,” said Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison. “We’ll be able to take care of the citizens of Williamsburg, the University of the Cumberlands, and then out to the county. This is going to make a huge difference without raising any taxes. We can go directly to work on replacing our oldest water lines.”

Sen. Stivers and Rep. Wilson also presented four checks in state funding, including: 

• $1.5 million to the replace the water tank in Downtown Williamsburg;
• $1.5 million to support the renovation and expansion of the local jail;
• $950,000 for development of an innovation hub; and
• $6.4 million for a runway addition at the Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport.

“I love these big checks because it means we’re getting things done for our community. With support from Congressman Rogers and our state officials, we’re able to do far more than we could on our own,” said Whitley County Judge Executive Pat White. “We’re adding 100 beds onto the Whitley County Detention Center, which will get us close to 300 beds, making it more efficient, and I’m proud to say that construction is moving ahead of schedule. All of these projects are great for our county and our neighbors.” 

“These projects come to fruition through thoughtful collaboration between the local, state and federal levels, and strategic investments,” said Sen. Stivers, President of the Kentucky Senate. “We’ve made great strides over the last ten years in the state legislature, allowing us to get better bond ratings, while also reducing state income tax from 6% to 3.5%. The state legislature has created the wave for this growth and prosperity by the policies we have enacted.”

“We have strategically been working on ways to bring more jobs and businesses to our region, and this funding will pave the way for the economic development and innovation we need,” said State Rep. Nick Wilson. 

“I’m really proud of the things we’ve been able to do together, across Whitley County,” said Corbin Mayor Suzie Razmus. “Congressman Rogers and our state legislators know how to tackle a problem, and they continue to work with us day after day. I’m grateful for our collective partnership.”

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.