WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, announced nearly $150 million in fiscal year 2025 Community Project Funding in East Kentucky has been approved by the House Appropriations Committee, clearing the first major hurdle and advancing on to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Congressman Rogers advocated for federal funding for 15 projects to improve transportation, infrastructure, industrial development, education, drug abuse prevention and treatment, and to invest in upgraded equipment and facilities for first responders in the region. 
 
“The people of southern and eastern Kentucky have given me a seat at the most important table in the House and I am proud to advocate for funding to fix our roads, create jobs and make our rural communities better and safer,” said Congressman Rogers, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “This funding still has a long way to go, but gaining approval from House appropriators gives me great confidence that these important projects will cross the finish line.”
 
The House Appropriations Committee has finalized and passed all 12 federal funding bills for discretionary spending in fiscal year 2025 and are scheduled to be considered by the full House by the end of the month. The committee held a press conference in the U.S. Capitol Building on Thursday morning, marking the important milestone. 
 
Significant Kentucky wins are included throughout the comprehensive federal legislation, including the $150 million carve outs for Community Project Funding requests in Eastern Kentucky. Congressman Rogers and his staff worked with local leaders to request funding for the following projects in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District: 
 
OVER $34 MILLION TO UPGRADE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS:
 
1. First Responders Communication Equipment - $20,000,000

This project funding will allow city and county law enforcement agencies in Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District to apply for funds to upgrade their technology equipment.
 
2. Wolfe County Search & Rescue/Emergency Operations Center - $5,000,000

This project will allow Wolfe County to construct a facility for emergency services that is centrally located to areas that are currently underserved. This facility will house equipment, allow for 911 operations, offer a landing pad for medical helicopters and host critical emergency training.

3. Pikeville Police Department Headquarters - $3,987,500

This project will construct a new police department to replace the current aging building with adequate space and resources.
 
4. Louisa Fire Department and Emergency Facility – $3,046,875

This project will allow the City of Louisa to construct a facility for essential fire and emergency services in Lawrence County. 
 
5. Northern McCreary County Firehouse - $2,000,000

This project includes construction and relocation of a new 6,300 square foot fire station to replace the current building that is nearly 60 years old with significant structural failures. 
 
$75.5 MILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS:
 
6. Somerset Northern Bypass - $37,000,000

This funding would be used to construct the Somerset Northern Bypass from the US27/Louie Nunn Cumberland Parkway Interchange to KY 461/KY 80 Interchange in Pulaski County, Kentucky, providing a vital artery for state and regional economic growth.

7. Mountain Parkway Extension - $36,500,000

This funding would be used for the final phase of the Mountain Parkway Expansion project, improving travel safety from Salyersville to Prestonsburg. This critical funding will complete construction of 12.6 miles of the parkway.
 
8. London-Corbin Airport Terminal Renovation - $2,000,000

This project will update the 40-year-old terminal building, improving safety, security, energy efficiency and functionality.
 
$26 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT:
 
9. Section 531 Environmental Infrastructure in Eastern Kentucky - $10,000,000

This funding will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with Eastern Kentucky PRIDE and local entities, to complete critical drinking and wastewater improvement projects in the region.  
 
10. City of Pikeville Industrial Building - $6,000,000

This project includes construction of a new industrial building at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park in Pikeville, Kentucky. It is estimated this building will create 75-100 jobs in the region. 
 
11. Clay County Industrial Building - $3,000,000

This funding will provide for the construction of a new industrial building in the Elk Hill Industrial Park to facilitate economic growth in the region. 
 
12. Harlan County Water Loss Reduction Project - $2,000,000

This project will provide critical water infrastructure improvements for residents in Harlan, Evarts, Cumberland, Benham, and Lynch. These improvements will secure water resources, by mitigating water loss and disruptions to water service.
 
13. Pulaski County Area Water Infrastructure Improvements Program - $5,000,000

This project will fund grants, administered by Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, for water infrastructure improvements in the Lake Cumberland area. 
 
NEARLY $10 MILLION FOR INNOVATION AND EDUCATION:
 
14. Morehead State University Space Science Center - $7,540,000

The program will afford MSU the capability to provide services for commercial space stations, government space stations, and secondary payloads on vehicles launched in support of NASA’s Moon to Mars programs. These capabilities involve upgrading and enhancing the existing Space Science Center’s Mission Operations Center.
 
15. Operation UNITE - $2,000,000

Operation UNITE will continue enhancing and expanding prevention and treatment efforts through school-based drug prevention clubs and the non-profit organization’s successful drug-free community coalitions.

The Community Project Funding requests now move on to the House for consideration as part of the appropriations bills. 
 
For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.