The Kentucky General Assembly is taking up legislation aimed at bolstering the Commonwealth’s aviation footprint. Senate Bill 127 was given committee approval last week and establishes the Kentucky aerospace, aviation, and defense investment fund. Louisville GOP Representative Ken Fleming said 65% of the money would go toward scholarships for students in aviation-related areas. He said it’s rooted in a public-private partnership.
“Say Hey I’d like to have three or four of your students come to guarantee a job at my firm in order to help fulfill those pipelines. It’s a really good partnership in terms of the public and private as well as institutions in order to make things come together,” said Fleming.
London Senator Brandon Storm said the new initiative could be a shot in the arm for aviation-aerospace programs at EKU, Morehead, and Madisonville Community College. Fleming hopes $15 million in state funds can be included in the current budget to be matched with the same from the private sector. He said air transportation is only going to grow more popular.
"The aviation is gonna be down the road. Aviation is gonna be it. I mean migrating a little away from cars over many years, but it’s gonna happen. So, having these people in the beginning to participate is gonna put us in a very good position in terms of economic impact,” said Fleming.
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education would administer the program and be the entity to help ensure accountability of funding.
* WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
