Senator McConnell Secures Federal Funding for Kentucky’s Defense Facilities

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that he secured $147 million in federal funding for military construction projects at several Kentucky military facilities. The funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Conference Report. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, played a key role in shaping the legislation that President Trump signed into law last night.

"I'm honored to represent multiple key military installations in Kentucky that play a critical role in our national defense," said Senator McConnell. "The legislation we passed-and that the President signed-will support essential construction projects across the state. This bill makes an important investment in Kentucky's contribution to the American defense industrial base by funding plans for a U.S.-based military shipping container production facility at Blue Grass Army Depot. It also provides substantial funding to modernize our military infrastructure at Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, both of which are home to some of our military's most distinguished Army units, as well as the Kentucky National Guard-further reinforcing Kentucky's deep importance to our national defense."

Senator McConnell requested federal funding to support the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD), Fort Campbell, Fort Knox and the Kentucky National Guard.

Blue Grass Army Depot

• $27 million in federal funding for the planning and design of a military container production facility at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, Kentucky. The Department of Defense's global logistics operations rely heavily on 20-foot metal shipping containers for logistics and deployment, yet most of these containers are currently manufactured in China. While BGAD already operates a small facility focused on maintenance and repair of shipping containers, this federal funding will support plans for the construction of a new container production facility-advancing domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing American dependence on foreign suppliers. This funding represents a step toward an opportunity identified in the Army's study on the feasibility of reusing the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant and the Blue Grass Army Depot infrastructure, which was authorized by the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act. As articulated by the feasibility study, BGAD is a promising potential home for new missions that would help bridge critical supply chain gaps.

"Senator McConnell's steadfast leadership and vision continue to deliver meaningful results for Madison County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. His success in securing funding for the new military container production project at the Blue Grass Army Depot represents a critical step in sustaining economic growth and preserving the skilled workforce that has long supported the Depot's mission. As operations at the Chemical Demilitarization Site conclude, Senator McConnell has worked alongside us for a continual focus on job replacement and reinvestment which ensures BGAD remains an anchor of opportunity and innovation for Madison County and for the nation," said Reagan Taylor, Madison County Judge Executive.

Fort Campbell

• $45 million in federal funding for the construction of a new air traffic control tower at Campbell Army Airfield. The existing tower, built in 1975, is among the oldest still in use in the U.S. Army. It supports the critical operations of the 101st Airborne Division and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell. This new tower will be more capable of supporting Campbell Army Airfield's high tempo of operations, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

• $11 million in federal funding for the planning and design of a modernized hangar at Campbell Army Airfield. The 101st Airborne Division currently faces a shortage of hangar space for its CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. A new hangar would accommodate the significant increase in Chinooks stationed at Fort Campbell and enhance the Campbell Army Airfield's readiness and operational effectiveness in support of the 101st's operations.

"The Military Affairs Committee is proud to stand beside the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms. Our mission has always been to ensure they are supported, equipped, and prepared for success-both in service and at home. We are deeply grateful for Senator McConnell's enduring leadership and his tireless advocacy for Fort Campbell. His commitment continues to strengthen not only the installation but the entire community that supports it," said Shannon Lane, Director, Military Affairs Committee, Christian County Chamber of Commerce; Member, Citizens for Fort Campbell.

Fort Knox

• $50 million in federal funding for the demolition of legacy aircraft hangars at Ft. Knox. According to base officials, the existing hangars at Ft. Knox are not suitable to support current and future operations at Godman Army Airfield.

• $8 million in federal funding for the construction of a vehicle access road at Ft. Knox. The funding will support the construction of a new two-way bypass to connect North Knox Street and Bullion Boulevard, allowing military equipment and large vehicles to easily travel between Fort Knox's main north-south roads.

• $4.5 million in federal funding for the planning and design of two dining facilities at Ft. Knox. These new buildings would replace Fort Knox's dining facilities, which are currently spread across six structures built in the 1960s. The upgraded facilities would better support key missions of Fort Knox, including the Cadet Summer Training, and training support to external units. They would also be equipped to serve significant numbers of troops during a large-scale deployment of forces from Fort Knox in a time of crisis.

"We are certainly thankful for Senator McConnell's continued support to Fort Knox. His support directly impacts Fort Knox as a strategic enabler of readiness and lethality and continues to make it a premier installation. Furthermore, the benefits Fort Knox derives from the Senator's support directly impacts the greater Fort Knox community," said Lance O'Bryan, President and CEO of the Knox Regional Development Alliance.

Kentucky National Guard

• $1.5 million in federal funding for the planning and design of the National Guard Readiness Center in Somerset. This federal funding will support the planning of a new Army National Guard Readiness Center and Vehicle Maintenance Shop in Somerset, Kentucky. Currently, elements of the Kentucky National Guard assigned to the existing Somerset Armory, which was built in 1949, and the London Field Maintenance Shop, which was built in 1958, operate out of dated facilities. This new facility in Somerset would provide consolidated, modern infrastructure to better support the Kentucky Army National Guard's operational needs in southeastern Kentucky.

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