McConnell secures more than $540M for Kentucky projects
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
WASHINGTON (KBSI) — U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said Wednesday he secured more than $540 million in federal funding for Kentucky priorities in a sweeping appropriations package that has passed the Senate and now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.
McConnell, a Republican and senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the funding is included in fiscal year 2026 bills covering Commerce-Justice-Science; Interior-Environment; and Energy-Water programs.
Among the largest allocations is $70 million for the University of Louisville’s Center for Bioscience, the largest earmark ever awarded through the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s construction account. The new facility will support research through the university’s Military Health and Biology program.
The bill also includes $35 million for the University of Kentucky’s Healthy Kentucky Research Building No. 2, which will expand research focused on cancer and other major health disparities across the state.
“This federal funding is an important investment in research infrastructure at UofL and UK,” McConnell said. “By empowering scientists to tackle some of our most pressing health challenges, this funding represents a commitment to innovation, collaboration and a healthier future for Kentucky.”
Additional funding supports public safety initiatives, including $2.5 million for equipment at a new cybercrime training facility being developed in Madisonville by the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training. The facility is expected to be the largest police training academy in the state and will focus on cybercrime investigations.
The bill also provides $352,000 for law enforcement equipment and technology tied to a new emergency operations center in Warren County, which will serve as headquarters for the Bowling Green-Warren County Drug Task Force.
Significant environmental and infrastructure funding is also included, with $340 million allocated for decommissioning, decontamination and environmental remediation at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. An additional $41 million is designated for construction of a new program support facility at the site to replace aging administrative buildings and support future advanced manufacturing and technology initiatives.
Water infrastructure projects across the state are funded as well, including $21.281 million to complete remaining work on the Rough River Dam Safety Modification Project and $600,000 to continue an erosion study at Columbus-Belmont State Park along the Mississippi River.
The package also includes $9.256 million to modernize a water treatment plant in Edmonson County, $7.334 million to support construction of a new water treatment plant in Albany and $4.8 million to modernize a wastewater treatment facility in Martin County.
Funding for outdoor recreation and conservation includes $7.45 million for capital improvements at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and $1 million for upgrades to the visitor center at Green River National Wildlife Refuge to bring the facility into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Beyond project-specific funding, the conference report contains broader provisions benefiting Kentucky, including increased funding for abandoned mine reclamation, invasive species management, economic development programs, law enforcement grants and Appalachian regional initiatives.
McConnell said the investments will support public safety, environmental cleanup, infrastructure modernization and economic development across the commonwealth.
