This investment will support construction and equipment installation at two wastewater treatment plant sites to enable the city to meet future customer needs

This $3.75 million Project Grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Economic Adjustment Assistance (CFDA 11.307) program will support construction and equipment installation at two wastewater treatment plant sites in Somerset, Kentucky. The upgrades will enable the City of Somerset (the awardee) to meet future customer needs and support continued economic growth and job creation in the region, which has been significantly impacted by long-term economic distress and decline in the coal industry. Specifically, the grant will fund infrastructure improvements that are expected to generate $178.6 million in private investment and create 376 jobs while retaining 580 existing positions. The award was made on August 26, 2021 to the City of Somerset to strengthen the regional economy through capital projects that facilitate industry expansion.

The project will support economic resiliency by ensuring infrastructure is adequate to support economic growth and job creation in an area significantly impacted by decline in the coal industry, as well as long-term economic distress. The grantee estimates this project will create 376 jobs, retain 580 jobs and generate private investment of $178,600,000. IT is funded through EDA's assistance to coal communities program. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the lake cumberland area development district. EDA funds lake cumberland area development district to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.