Senator McConnell Secures More than $117 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky Transportation and Economic Development

Washington, D.C. - 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.

The projects secured by Senator McConnell in the bill include:

Kentucky Economic Development Projects (Totaling more than $50 million):

• $20,000,000 to construct the new Cave City Area Agriculture Exposition Center in Barren County
• • This project will see the establishment of a new agricultural center to host a number of different events and foster economic development.
• $11,000,000 for the McCreary County Heritage Foundation
• • Funding will be used to facilitate planning, design, and construction of a number of improvements intended to foster economic development in the community.
• $7,000,000 for Louisville Metro Government
• • The City of Louisville will use this funding to redevelop crumbling infrastructure at the Belvedere.
• $6,600,000 to build a new childcare facility in Owensboro
• • The 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.
• $4,500,000 for the City of Covington
• • The Covington Central Riverfront Podium and Land Bridge Infrastructure project will see construction of a new pedestrian-friendly connection for the city's newest mixed-use business district on the site of the former IRS facility.
• $1,450,000 for the Southern Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA)
• • SPEDA will construct an overpass to connect an emerging business park with Kentucky Highway 80, Hal Rogers Parkway, via Barnesburg Road.

"From Barren, Pulaski, and McCreary Counties to Louisville and Owensboro, I'm proud to have helped secure this funding for economic development projects across the Commonwealth," said Senator McConnell. "This federal funding will help revitalize important locations and infrastructure throughout our communities and promote development in our cities and towns."

"On behalf of Barren County, I want to sincerely thank Senator McConnell for his support in securing federal funding for this agricultural expo center," said Jamie Bewley Byrd, Barren County Judge-Executive. "This 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're thrilled to be the site of this new development."

"I 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," said J.C. Egnew, Founder of the McCreary County Heritage Foundation, and Chief Executive Officer of Outdoor Venture Corporation. "This revitalization project will make Stearns a world class tourism destination. Through the Senator's 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."

Thank you, Senator McConnell, for your support of the redevelopment of the Belvedere," said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. "This investment will help with the massive repairs needed for this important infrastructure in Downtown Louisville. This project will fix Downtown's 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."

"Senator 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," said Tom Watson, Mayor of Owensboro. "Thanks to Senator McConnell's efforts in securing federal funding, Owensboro can expand its high-quality childcare center through our local YMCA to support our city's 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 - 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."

"The 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," said Covington Mayor Ron Washington. "By 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."

"This 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. "For 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."

Kentucky Airports (More than $36 million):

• Elizabethtown Regional Airport (EKX) ($9.25 million)
• • $9,000,000 for enabling design work and land acquisition for the new runway once the initial study is complete.
  • $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.
• Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) ($9.5 million)

• $7,500,000 to support reconstructing a portion of Taxiway M critical for the operation of cargo flights.

• • $2,000,000 to support reconstructing an apron that serves all twenty-one gates for Concourse A.
• $9,600,000 for Louisville International Airport (SDF)
• • SDF will develop a Federal Inspection Service (FIS) facility with two gates that will enable international flights for passengers.
• $5,400,000 for Blue Grass Airport (LEX)
• • LEX 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.
• $3,100,000 for Barkley Regional Airport (PAH)
• • PAH will use this funding to improve runway lighting systems critical for night operations.

"This federal funding will help support Kentucky's airports that accommodate millions of commercial air passengers every single year and smaller airports that provide important local services," said Senator McConnell. "Ensuring smooth travel requires updated infrastructure both on the ground for planes and throughout terminals for passengers. I'm proud to continue my work in the Senate securing critical investments for our regional, national, and international airports."

"The Elizabethtown Airport Board is grateful for Senator McConnell's leadership and foresight to increase the capabilities of the Elizabethtown Regional Airport at Addington Field," said Carl Swope, Chair of the Elizabethtown Airport Board. "We 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."

"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.

"We would like to acknowledge and thank Senator McConnell for championing the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)," said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Louisville's airport. "As 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's on-going support as SDF continues not only its positive momentum, but its transformation into providing a best-in-class experience for the region's travelers."

"We cannot express how grateful we are for Senator McConnell's support and persistence in securing a federal grant to advance the next phase of relocating the FAA's air traffic control tower," said Eric Frankl, Executive Director of Blue Grass Airport. "Built 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."

"We are extremely thankful to Senator McConnell for his leadership and support in supporting the funding of the Airfield Lighting Project," said Dennis Rouleau, Executive Director of the Barkley Regional Airport Authority. "This 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's commitment to Western Kentucky and to keeping our communities connected to the world."

Kentucky Highways ($30 million)

• $20,000,000 for the Hal Rogers Parkway Improvement Program for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
• • KYTC aims to widen approximately 59 miles of Hal Rogers Parkway. This funding will support the study that will enable the future construction project.
• $10,000,000 to support I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
• • I-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.

"Kentuckians rely on state parkways, highways, and interstates to safely commute to work and travel across our Commonwealth," said Senator McConnell. "I'm proud to have helped secure these federal investments in critical infrastructure that build on Kentucky's roads and bridges. This funding will help upgrade already existing thoroughfares and work toward securing the future of transportation in Kentucky."

"The Hal Rogers Parkway is a vital artery that fuels connectivity, commerce, and opportunity across eastern Kentucky," said Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. "I appreciate Senator McConnell's leadership in securing $20 million and the lasting impact this investment will have on communities from London to Hazard and well beyond."

"Henderson County is deeply grateful for Senator McConnell's work in securing this funding to help complete the I-69 Ohio River Crossing between Henderson, Kentucky and Evansville, Indiana," said Brad Schneider, Henderson County Judge-Executive. "This major transportation infrastructure project will provide significant opportunities for economic development in the entire region for generations to come, and also ease commutes, reduce traffic and delays, and improve safety for our drivers."

Permalink: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/2/senator-mcconnell-secures-more-than-117-million-in-federal-funding-for-kentucky-transportation-and-economic-development