{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9AD3AB49-ACAB-4980-9DBA-203ABD3843CE", "Senator McConnell Secures More than $117 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Transportation and Economic Development", "2026-02-03", "2026", "2026-02", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured $117 million in federal funding for Kentucky airports, highways, and economic development projects included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations for Transportation-Housing and Urban Development, which passed the Senate. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell played a key role in shaping the legislation. The measure now goes to President Trump for his signature.\n\nThe projects secured by Senator McConnell in the bill include:\n\nKentucky Economic Development Projects (Totaling more than $50 million):\n\n$20,000,000 to construct the new Cave City Area Agriculture Exposition Center in Barren County\n\nThis project will see the establishment of a new agricultural center to host a number of different events and foster economic development.\n\n$11,000,000 for the McCreary County Heritage Foundation\n\nFunding will be used to facilitate planning, design, and construction of a number of improvements intended to foster economic development in the community.\n\n$7,000,000 for Louisville Metro Government\n\nThe City of Louisville will use this funding to redevelop crumbling infrastructure at the Belvedere.\n\n$6,600,000 to build a new childcare facility in Owensboro\n\nThe City of Owensboro is facing a shortage in childcare facilities and the Owensboro Family YMCA, in response, aims to redevelop an existing building to increase childcare availability.\n\n$4,500,000 for the City of Covington\n\nThe Covington Central Riverfront Podium and Land Bridge Infrastructure project will see construction of a new pedestrian-friendly connection for the city\u2019s newest mixed-use business district on the site of the former IRS facility.\n\n$1,450,000 for the Southern Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA)\n\nSPEDA will construct an overpass to connect an emerging business park with Kentucky Highway 80, Hal Rogers Parkway, via Barnesburg Road.\n\n\u201cFrom Barren, Pulaski, and McCreary Counties to Louisville and Owensboro, I\u2019m proud to have helped secure this funding for economic development projects across the Commonwealth,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cThis federal funding will help revitalize important locations and infrastructure throughout our communities and promote development in our cities and towns.\u201d\n\n\u201cOn behalf of Barren County, I want to sincerely thank Senator McConnell for his support in securing federal funding for this agricultural expo center,\u201d said Jamie Bewley Byrd, Barren County Judge-Executive. \u201cThis project will provide a much needed location for farmers to come together for trade shows and events, and will bring in millions of dollars in economic impact and development. Being ranked among the top counties in the Commonwealth for total number of farms, Barren County is a proud, resilient agriculture community and we\u2019re thrilled to be the site of this new development.\u201d\n\n\u201cI would like to express my deepest appreciation to Senator McConnell for believing in the potential to revitalize the historic mining community of Stearns, McCreary County Kentucky,\u201d said J.C. Egnew, Founder of the McCreary County Heritage Foundation, and Chief Executive Officer of Outdoor Venture Corporation. \u201cThis revitalization project will make Stearns a world class tourism destination. Through the Senator\u2019s efforts, and belief that tourism is bona fide economic development and his ability to appropriate funds, will make this vision become reality. This project is an integral part of the goal to enhance the development of the Southern entrance to the Kentucky Wildlands and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.\u201d\n\nThank you, Senator McConnell, for your support of the redevelopment of the Belvedere,\u201d said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. \u201cThis investment will help with the massive repairs needed for this important infrastructure in Downtown Louisville. This project will fix Downtown\u2019s largest garage and ensure the safety of the thousands of motorists who drive underneath it every day. The reimagined Belvedere will also be a catalyst for other Downtown redevelopment projects, which is why this support is so important.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenator McConnell has long been a trusted friend and ally to the City of Owensboro, Kentucky, and we are deeply grateful for his continued support over the years,\u201d said Tom Watson, Mayor of Owensboro. \u201cThanks to Senator McConnell\u2019s efforts in securing federal funding, Owensboro can expand its high-quality childcare center through our local YMCA to support our city\u2019s growing workforce and economy. Having access to childcare is a significant challenge facing working families and impacting business across the nation. And while Owensboro is no exception to this issue \u2014 we are exceptional. We have a community that has come together to find solutions and make a real impact; and we have a Senator who understands the importance of supporting communities in addressing issues on a local level. This funding will directly change lives and support business, all at the same time. A homerun for everyone with our Senator going to bat for us.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe support of Senator McConnell and our other congressional leaders for the Covington Central Riverfront development represents a major investment in public infrastructure for Covington and all of Northern Kentucky,\u201d said Covington Mayor Ron Washington. \u201cBy strengthening our riverfront's infrastructure and laying the foundation for future development, this project will create jobs, attract private investment, and support long-term regional growth. Beyond the economic impact, this investment improves quality of life by creating spaces and infrastructure designed for residents, families, and visitors alike.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is a significant win for The Capital of Lake Cumberland and a major step forward for economic development in our region. We sincerely thank Senator McConnell for his leadership and continued support of Somerset-Pulaski County,\" said Chris Girdler, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority. \u201cFor several years, we have actively pursued federal funding to construct a new bridge crossing Barnesburg Road. This bridge will ensure safe, efficient access throughout SPEDA Commerce Park, allowing employees, customers, and commercial traffic to travel directly from Highway 80 without disrupting traffic flow.\u201d\n\nKentucky Airports (More than $36 million):\n\nElizabethtown Regional Airport (EKX) ($9.25 million)\n\n$9,000,000 for enabling design work and land acquisition for the new runway once the initial study is complete.\n\n$250,000 to reorient their runway at an estimated cost of $100 million. These funds will enable a study that will inform future efforts to facilitate the larger project.\n\nCincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) ($9.5 million)\n\n$7,500,000 to support reconstructing a portion of Taxiway M critical for the operation of cargo flights.\n\n$2,000,000 to support reconstructing an apron that serves all twenty-one gates for Concourse A.\n\n$9,600,000 for Louisville International Airport (SDF)\n\nSDF will develop a Federal Inspection Service (FIS) facility with two gates that will enable international flights for passengers.\n\n$5,400,000 for Blue Grass Airport (LEX)\n\nLEX is undertaking an approximately $400 million expansion of the airport. Part of this work includes the relocation of the air traffic control tower, and these funds, specifically, will enable the tower to be moved at a later date.\n\n$3,100,000 for Barkley Regional Airport (PAH)\n\nPAH will use this funding to improve runway lighting systems critical for night operations.\n\n\u201cThis federal funding will help support Kentucky\u2019s airports that accommodate millions of commercial air passengers every single year and smaller airports that provide important local services,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cEnsuring smooth travel requires updated infrastructure both on the ground for planes and throughout terminals for passengers. I\u2019m proud to continue my work in the Senate securing critical investments for our regional, national, and international airports.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Elizabethtown Airport Board is grateful for Senator McConnell\u2019s leadership and foresight to increase the capabilities of the Elizabethtown Regional Airport at Addington Field,\u201d said Carl Swope, Chair of the Elizabethtown Airport Board. \u201cWe are in a time of unprecedented growth in central Kentucky, and this investment will assure our ideally located airport remains a valuable regional asset for the next 50 years.\u201d\n\n\"We are grateful to Senator McConnell for his support to ensure that critical airfield infrastructure projects at CVG are funded and can move forward to provide important safety and capacity benefits for CVG passenger and cargo airlines as well as to create construction jobs and related spending that supports the regional economy,\" said Larry Krauter, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.\n\n\u201cWe would like to acknowledge and thank Senator McConnell for championing the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF),\u201d said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Louisville\u2019s airport. \u201cAs SDF experienced record-setting growth each of the previous three years, this funding supports the addition of a Federal Inspection Services facility, or FIS, that will allow international passenger flights at our airport. We appreciate the Senator\u2019s on-going support as SDF continues not only its positive momentum, but its transformation into providing a best-in-class experience for the region\u2019s travelers.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe cannot express how grateful we are for Senator McConnell\u2019s support and persistence in securing a federal grant to advance the next phase of relocating the FAA\u2019s air traffic control tower,\u201d said Eric Frankl, Executive Director of Blue Grass Airport. \u201cBuilt in 1970, the existing tower does not meet current design standards and will ultimately limit our ability to expand the passenger terminal to meet the growing travel demands of the central and southeastern Kentucky region we serve. We are hopeful this grant will expedite the construction of a new tower at Blue Grass Airport.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are extremely thankful to Senator McConnell for his leadership and support in supporting the funding of the Airfield Lighting Project,\u201d said Dennis Rouleau, Executive Director of the Barkley Regional Airport Authority. \u201cThis improvement will replace all of the remaining old and out of date airfield lighting equipment and cabling to enhance airfield worker safety, strengthen operational reliability, and help ensure Barkley Regional Airport remains a strong transportation asset for our region. Upgrading this critical infrastructure allows Barkley to continue serving as the Front Porch of the Purchase Region, a key gateway for business, tourism, and economic development across the Purchase Area. We are grateful for Senator McConnell\u2019s commitment to Western Kentucky and to keeping our communities connected to the world.\u201d\n\nKentucky Highways ($30 million)\n\n$20,000,000 for the Hal Rogers Parkway Improvement Program for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)\n\nKYTC aims to widen approximately 59 miles of Hal Rogers Parkway. This funding will support the study that will enable the future construction project.\n\n$10,000,000 to support I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet\n\nI-69 ORX will see construction of a new bridge for I-69 across the Ohio River in Henderson. This project will support right-of-way acquisition and utility placement for the larger project that is expected to cost, in total, $933 million.\n\n\u201cKentuckians rely on state parkways, highways, and interstates to safely commute to work and travel across our Commonwealth,\u201d said Senator McConnell. \u201cI\u2019m proud to have helped secure these federal investments in critical infrastructure that build on Kentucky\u2019s roads and bridges. This funding will help upgrade already existing thoroughfares and work toward securing the future of transportation in Kentucky.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Hal Rogers Parkway is a vital artery that fuels connectivity, commerce, and opportunity across eastern Kentucky,\u201d said Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. \u201cI appreciate Senator McConnell\u2019s leadership in securing $20 million and the lasting impact this investment will have on communities from London to Hazard and well beyond.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9AD3AB49-ACAB-4980-9DBA-203ABD3843CE"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4491269830614328, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}