Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced his state will invest $5.7 million into 15 public riverport project to support future expansion of the state’s waterways economy.
At the beginning of last year, the Kentucky General Assembly allocated $15 million for the Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance (KPRCM) grant. The Kentucky Riverport Improvement (KRI) provides additional grant support. This latest round of funding approved $5.2 million for 10 KPRCM projects and another $500,000 for KRI projects. The investment will provide the funds to maintain current operations and improve current facilities and infrastructure, including equipment and infrastructure replacements, revitalizations or upgrades.
“This investment is about more than replacing outdated equipment, paving roads and upgrading ports,” Beshear said. “It’s about driving industry growth, creating good-paying jobs and keeping Kentucky’s transportation network ahead of the curve.”
This latest announcement joins a previous announcement by Beshear in August 2024 that funded eight KPRCM project and eight KRI projects for the state’s riverports. Additionally, in January of this year, an additional round of KPRCM grants funded equipment replacements and expansion for the Greenup-Boyd County Riverport Authority and West Kentucky Regional Riverport Authority.
“Kentucky’s riverports move billions in freight each year,” Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said. “With this investment, we’re reinforcing our position as a central logistics hub for the nation.”
Approved grants must be used to improve riverport facilities and infrastructure for new construction and major replacement or repair projects. Eligible projects do not include routine operations, maintenance or repair activities.