Hal Rogers Secures Millions for Eastern Kentucky First Responders, New Jobs

Congressman Hal Rogers announced that a federal funding bill passed Jan. 16 will send millions of dollars to eastern Kentucky for emergency communications, infrastructure and economic projects that matter to Perry County residents. The measure was sent to President Trump for signature.

The bill includes $20 million for new communications equipment for first responders, aimed at improving coordination among volunteer fire departments, EMS crews and law enforcement across the region. Rogers said the package also contains nearly $40 million in Community Project Funding earmarks he requested for first responders, clean drinking water and wastewater improvements, Morehead State University’s Space Science Center and substance abuse prevention work.

“Kentucky will be receiving vital funding in this package, including nearly $40 million in Community Project Funding earmarks that I requested to help our first responders in Eastern Kentucky, expand clean drinking water and reliable wastewater in our region, expand space science opportunities at Morehead State University’s Space Science Center, and to continue driving down overdose death rates through Operation UNITE’s important work for substance abuse prevention and education efforts,” Rogers said. “This bill also helps coal communities in Kentucky and across the country with $80 million for grants through the Economic Development Administration, as well as $28 million for the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program in Kentucky. It is an honor to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee on behalf of the people of Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”

Specific allocations include $7.5 million for the Morehead State Space Science Center’s Payload Operations Center and $2 million for Operation UNITE to continue substance abuse prevention and treatment projects. On broader economic recovery, the legislation provides $135 million for the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization Program nationally and $200 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission. The package also protects $610 million for a new federal prison in Letcher County, a project expected to create more than 300 new jobs for the region.

Senator Mitch McConnell also secured nearly $5 million to help modernize the Martin County wastewater treatment plant, which will affect neighboring counties that share sewer and water service systems. “On behalf of Martin County, we are so thankful for Senator McConnell’s work and all the help he has provided in federal funding for the Inez sewage treatment plant,” said Dr. Lon Lafferty, Martin County Judge-Executive. “The decades old plant is in desperate need of maintenance, and thanks to this funding we can now work toward providing wastewater treatment services to residents throughout the county.”

For Perry County, the funding promises practical outcomes: upgraded emergency communications that can shorten response times, continued support for addiction prevention through Operation UNITE, and investments that may enable regional economic development beyond traditional coal jobs. The Morehead State funding could expand STEM opportunities for local students, and wastewater and water investments will address long-standing infrastructure needs in the hollers and towns.

With the measure forwarded for presidential signature, local officials say planning and project rollouts will follow once funds are formally approved and disbursed. For residents of Perry County, the package signals a coordinated federal push to strengthen emergency services, public health and regional economic resilience.