The governor’s office gave an update Thursday on five high-ground communities set to be built in four Eastern Kentucky counties in response to last year’s flooding.
The communities will be constructed in Letcher, Knott, Perry and Floyd counties with money from the state’s Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. That comes alongside $300 million dollars in federal disaster recovery grants.
During his regular media briefing, Gov. Andy Beshear said the state is waiting on environmental assessments of the sites to be approved by the federal Department for Housing and Urban Development before it moves forward with construction.
“The moment that we get the okay to move on any of these that we have been planning for months, we will be ready to go immediately to get structures coming up as fast as possible,” Beshear said.
The Cottages at Thompson Branch in Letcher County has had its assessment approved, with electric poles and lines also being installed.
The Skyview community outside Hazard is currently having its assessment reviewed.
Infrastructure and utility placement is currently being designed for the Chestnut Ridge community in Knott County. The upgrading of a water treatment facility is underway at Olive Branch, also in Knott County.
Gov. Beshear is currently running for re-election against Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
