Gov. Beshear, Congressman Rogers Announce More Than $22 Million for Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky

CORBIN, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2026) - Today, at the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Summit, Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced more than $22 million to help support healthcare, emergency services, infrastructure, energy, education, tourism and economic development in Eastern Kentucky.

"The people of Eastern Kentucky have supported this country through two world wars, our Industrial Revolution and by building the greatest middle class in the history of the world. These hardworking families deserve to know there is a bright future ahead of them and the investments we announced today will help make that possible," said Gov. Beshear. "By focusing these dollars on healthcare, infrastructure and ongoing economic growth, we are making sure everyone across this important region has a chance to live out the American Dream."

The funding announced today comes through the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program, established by Congressman Rogers in 2016. More than $1.3 billion in federal funding has gone toward AMLER since the program's founding, of which more than $280 million has been awarded for 120 projects in Kentucky.

"Over the past decade, the bipartisan AMLER grant program has helped our coal-producing counties pursue new opportunities to revitalize our region through stronger infrastructure, workforce development, adventure tourism, advancing access to healthcare and education, expanding broadband and much more," said Congressman Rogers. "These new grants continue our work to create new jobs and opportunities where we need them most."

Today, the Governor and Congressman awarded:

• More than $4 million to the Leslie County Fiscal Court to install over 35,000 linear feet of gas line to support existing and future businesses. The project will serve 12 businesses, over 100 households and six schools and churches once complete.
• $3.5 million to the City of London Convention and Tourism Commission in Laurel County to improve and complete infrastructure for the Wilderness Road Event Center. The project anticipates up to 65,000 visitors within the first two years and will create five full-time jobs at opening date.
• $2.9 million for Johnson County Schools to support the growth of the nursing and agriculture programs at the Johnson Central Career and Technical Center. The nursing program will create a healthcare learning environment that stimulates real life situations through the purchase of simulation equipment and supplies. The school will also expand its agriculture program by creating a hands-on learning environment with the purchase of high tunnels and farming equipment. The agriculture program anticipates training 246 students within the first year and the nursing program expects to train 75 students within the first year and lead to the creation of 50 jobs within the first five years.
• $2.76 million to AdventHealth Manchester in Clay County to allow the hospital to purchase a DaVinci 5 Robotic Surgical System. The system will provide five new surgical services with a less invasive approach and is expected to serve 360 patients within the first year.
• $2.5 million to the Elliott County Fiscal Court to replace the current emergency medical services (EMS) facility in Sandy Hook with a larger, modernized structure that will better support EMS operations and services. The county anticipates a 3% increase in patients treated within the first year of operation.
• More than $2.2 million to the City of Cumberland in Harlan County to replace its aging water distribution infrastructure and provide dependable access to safe water by adding new water lines. The project is anticipated to serve 194 households and 50 businesses within the first year after completion.
• $2.15 million to Letcher County Water and Sewer District (LCWSD) to install new waterline and provide water services for the Mountain Comprehensive Health Corp. (MCHC) Children's Autism Center, as well as 200 households.
• $1.64 million to the City of Booneville in Owsley County for the Sag Hollow Business Development Phase II, which will expand overnight lodging at the Sag Hollow area through the construction of three executive cabins. The project anticipates 2,800 visitors and the creation of two new jobs within the first year, with an expected revenue increase of over $150,000 by the second year of operation.
• $600,000 to the Pike County Fiscal Court to construct a build-ready pad at the Wolfpit Industrial Park. This project is expected to generate create $125,000 in occupational tax revenue within the first year and will help attract even more economic investment.

The Governor and Congressman also presented $25.7 million to the Center for Rural Development for six BEAD award projects to expand high speed internet to over 3,000 homes across 12 counties. Gov. Beshear first announced this project on Wednesday, as part of a record $78.8 million awarded to Kentucky from the Appalachian Regional Commission in fiscal year 2026.

In 2026, the AMLER program awarded 14 grants in Kentucky, totaling more than $35 million. Those include $22.2 million in awards announced today in Corbin, two awards totaling $6.6 million for Eastern Kentucky coal communities announced in June, three awards totaling $6.6 million for Western Kentucky coal communities announced in September and nine awards totaling more than $22.2 million for Kentucky's Appalachian region. When completed, the 14 projects are expected to retain or create 257 jobs and train up to 500 Kentuckians annually. Infrastructure projects and workforce training will serve 165 businesses and 3,369 households; the community wellness projects will serve over 160,000 people annually; and the tourism projects will help bring in nearly 67,800 visitors annually.

Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary John Lyons selected the projects for initial vetting by the Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands. Sec. Lyons said 112 applications (requesting over $268 million) were received for consideration.

"The AMLER program is one of the most fulfilling programs we're involved in," said Secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet John Lyons. "These projects bring new life to our coal communities and create innovative solutions for tourism and business. They also bring much-needed services to our coal regions."

Information about the AMLER program can be found on the Energy and Environment Cabinet website or by contacting Samantha Johnson, director of the Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands, at 300 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, KY 40601. Office: 502-782-9913, e-mail: [email protected].

Award Recipient Quotes
"We are deeply grateful to Congressman Hal Rogers for his support in securing this AMLAR grant and to our AdventHealth Manchester team whose dedication helped make this possible," said Nick Bejarano, president and CEO of AdventHealth Manchester. "This investment will help bring advanced surgical care closer to home for people across southeastern Kentucky, giving more patients access to the care they need without having to travel far from their families and support systems. It is an important step forward in our vision to make high-quality, whole-person care more accessible and to help build a healthier future alongside the communities we call home."

"On the behalf of MCHC and the children and families affected by autism, I would like to humbly thank Gov. Beshear and Congressman Rogers for this water and sewer extension grant," said Mike Caudill, CEO of MCHC. "The grant provides the final link needed for MCHC to construct a 15,000+ square foot state-of-the-art clinic dedicated solely for the diagnosis and treatment of autistic children. Without this grant, this much-needed project may never have come to fruition. Thank you."

"On behalf of the Johnson County School system, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the AMLER program for awarding us this grant," said Thom Cochran, superintendent of Johnson County Schools. "This funding is a critical piece for our district as we construct our new Career and Technical Center. Specifically, these resources will allow us to continue construction of our health science classrooms and labs, as well as build new high tunnel greenhouses for our agriculture pathways. Investments like this directly support our mission to provide students with hands-on learning environments that truly prepare them for life beyond high school, and we are deeply appreciative of the continued support for our schools and community."

"The Leslie County Fiscal Court is extremely grateful to receive $4,030,000 in AMLER funding for Phase III of the Gas Line Project," said Judge/Executive William Lewis. "This award represents a significant investment in the future of Leslie County and will allow us to continue expanding critical infrastructure that can improve the quality of life for our citizens and create opportunities for future growth. We appreciate the continued support of our state and federal partners and everyone who has worked to make this project possible. We are proud to continue moving this important project forward and investing in the future of Leslie County."

"Pike County is very thankful for the AMLER program," said Judge/Executive Ray S. Jones II. "This award is the final phase of the Wolfpit Industrial & Technology Park. The funding will be used to construct a building pad and enable this site to be 'Build Ready.' The Wolfpit Industrial & Technology site is an 88-acre industrial park with the potential to create 250 much-needed manufacturing or technology jobs."

Zeke Little, Owsley County Judge/Executive, said: "This is an absolute win for Booneville and Owsley County!"

"The City of Cumberland is very thankful to all involved in making this happen," said Mayor Charles Raleigh. "This money will help greatly with better service and quality to our customers, all while helping save money on water loss and repair cost to our city."

"This investment will allow us to complete critical recovery work, replace damaged infrastructure and move forward with a first-class event facility capable of hosting regional events that will bring visitors to London, support our hotels and restaurants, create opportunities for local businesses and help generate meaningful jobs for families throughout our community," said Christina Sowders, director, Wilderness Road Event Center. "We are deeply grateful to Congressman Hal Rogers for his leadership and continued commitment to Eastern Kentucky. His support for this investment recognizes the importance of facilities like the Wilderness Road Event Center to our region's economy, tourism industry and quality of life."

Gov. Beshear Highlights Momentum in Eastern Kentucky
Today's announcements further the Governor's commitment to economic growth and resilience throughout Eastern Kentucky, which he has supported through multiple recent announcements.

On Oct. 1, Gov. Beshear announced the commonwealth is being awarded $10 million from Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America to support maternal care, with a focus on rural communities. The Governor is also standing up for rural hospitals amid the federal government's harmful cuts to Medicaid.

In September, Gov. Beshear sent a letter to Kentucky's Congressional Delegation urging them to support expanded benefits for those affected by black lung disease. The Support Our Miners Act would increase benefits to match inflation for the first time, better supporting the one in five veteran coal miners suffering from the incurable respiratory condition.

Also in September, the Governor announced Speed Kentucky's $1.47 million investment in Owsley County, creating 60 jobs, and Astemo Americas' $112 million expansion project in Madison County, creating 114 new Kentucky jobs. Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine named four Eastern Kentucky communities as Top Micropolitan areas in its 2025 Governor's Cup rankings: Corbin, Mount Sterling, Richmond-Berea and Somerset.

In August, Gov. Beshear cut the ribbon on the Wolfe County segment of the Mountain Parkway Expansion, which completes 32 continuous miles of four-lane Mountain Parkway to better connect Eastern Kentucky to jobs, schools, healthcare and future economic growth.

In July, he marked the four-year anniversary of the floods of 2022. The Governor handed over the keys to four new homeowners at the Skyview neighborhood in Hazard, broke ground on 30 new homes at the Chestnut Ridge neighborhood in Knott County and issued an executive order directing $2.5 million to help build approximately 25 homes across high-ground communities in Eastern Kentucky. Across Eastern Kentucky, nearly 500 homes are planned across eight high-ground communities. Two of these communities are completed, with 14 homes at the Wayland high-ground community in Floyd County and 10 homes at The Cottages at Thompson Branch in Letcher County. In addition to the high-ground communities, Team Kentucky and its partners are making progress to deliver opportunities to rent and own in multiple counties.

Team Kentucky's documentary, RISING, which chronicles rebuilding efforts in Eastern Kentucky after the floods, is now available to stream on Prime Video and Tubi, with proceeds going to the Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund, which assists Kentuckians affected by natural disasters and catastrophic events.