<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=16zeby_0wCqcnhE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=16zeby_0wCqcnhE00" width="547" height="307" ></figure>PIKEVILLE, Ky. (KT) – Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers, R-Somerset, announced on Friday $30.2 million to help support Eastern Kentucky’s efforts to rebuild from natural disasters and boost economic growth in the region.The announcement was made during the annual SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) Summit, which was held at the University of Pikeville.Twelve recipients in eight counties are receiving the funds as part of the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program. When completed, the projects are expected to retain or create up to 250 jobs, train up to 1,000 Kentuckians annually and serve more than 100,000 people via tourism, infrastructure development or training opportunities.Projects receiving funding will expand quality healthcare throughout the region, provide clean drinking water for underserved communities, improve wastewater treatment facilities, enhance high-tech training and employment opportunities and support economic development and tourism.“Kentucky’s economy has been on fire for several years now, and these projects are proof of the vitality of this region and the innovative thinking that is bringing jobs to Eastern Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “The work isn’t finished, and we have a lot more to do.”Congressman Rogers, who championed the program as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has overseen $1 billion in federal funding go to the AMLER since 2016, of which more than $224 million has been awarded to projects in 25 Kentucky counties. Once completed, these projects will have protected more than 3,000 new jobs for the region.“The AMLER grant program has invested nearly one quarter of a million dollars in Southern and Eastern Kentucky coal communities that are still working hard to rebound from the thousands of coal mining jobs that we have lost in recent years,” said Congressman Rogers, who authored the grant program for coal-producing states. “The program has become highly competitive in our region with innovative local projects that will generate revenue and new opportunities to help grow and sustain our rural communities.”More information about the AMLER program can be found at AMLER.</div></body>

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SOAR Summit awards $30M to boost economic growth in Eastern Ky.

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (KT) – Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers, R-Somerset, announced on Friday $30.2 million to help support Eastern Kentucky’s efforts to rebuild from natural disasters and boost economic growth in the region. The announcement was made during the annual SOAR (Shaping...