HAZARD, Kentucky - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Kentucky State Director Travis T. Burton today joined Congressman Hal Rogers to announce five water infrastructure projects totaling over $23.7 million.

"Water is not only essential to life but to economic vitality across rural Kentucky," said Burton. "These investments, from storage tanks to water lines to wastewater treatment plants, are the latest evidence of this administration's commitment to rural Kentucky. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, USDA Rural Development continues to help water systems across rural Kentucky make improvements."

The city of Beattyville will use a $1,275,396 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to make renovations to three existing water storage tanks throughout the distribution system.

The city of Hazard will use a $1,500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant to replace approximately 20 miles of line, construct a 250,000-gallon storage tank and four booster pump stations.

The Knott County Water & Sewer District will use a $4,657,000 grant to provide in-kind replacement of a wastewater treatment plant and sewer lines that were damaged during the 2022 floods.

The city of Fleming-Neon will use a $5,428,000 grant to fund water line improvements in the Haymond area of the City of Fleming-Neon.

The city of Jackson will use a $10,900,000 grant to replace the existing wastewater treatment plant, which is located within a floodplain and received flood damage during the 2022 flood event, with a new 1-million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant equipped with a backup generator and located out of the floodplain.

To date in this administration, USDA Rural Development has invested over $65.4 million through various Water & Environmental Programs across rural Kentucky. These programs provide funding for the construction of water and waste facilities in rural communities and are the only Federal programs exclusively focused on rural water and waste infrastructure needs of rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less.