# $6.6M water, wastewater funds boost Eastern Kentucky economy **Published:** 2026-06-24T19:56:40.000Z **Source:** [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2777) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/6-6m-water-wastewater-funds-boost-eastern-kentucky-economy Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers announced $6.6 million in funding to extend reliable drinking water and wastewater services while supporting economic development in two Eastern Kentucky counties through the [Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2777). The funding is part of the [AMLER program](https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Mining/Abandoned-Mine-Lands/Pages/AMLER_Program.aspx), which [provides grants to support economic development, infrastructure improvements and job training in coal-impacted Appalachian communities](https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EC065F38-D1D7-418D-9EC3-1527E5A78F4E). The program was [established in 2016 by Congressman Rogers](https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1539) to help coal-producing states transition away from mining and create sustainable economic opportunities. Water infrastructure projects have been a key priority for the AMLER program since its inception. [Previous funding rounds have supported water treatment plants and wastewater systems across Eastern Kentucky](https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BAB26A77-F78E-4764-A78F-88770C9E84C1), helping underserved communities gain access to clean, reliable drinking water while supporting residential and industrial development. "These grants help our innovative, hard-working Appalachian communities by giving a boost to projects that create hundreds of jobs and a strong economic future for families," [Gov. Beshear said in previous announcements](https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2209). The water infrastructure improvements enable communities to support new residential development and attract business investment to previously economically distressed areas. [Since the beginning of Gov. Beshear's administration, 66 AMLER projects have been awarded totaling nearly $140 million, with 24 projects completed](https://halrogers.house.gov/2025/8/gov-beshear-congressman-rogers-announce-26-million-for-eastern-kentucky-economic-revitalization). [The AMLER program has awarded nearly $225 million to 86 projects in 25 Eastern Kentucky counties since it was established in 2016](https://www.kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2209). ## Sources - [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2777) - [AMLER Program - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet](https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Mining/Abandoned-Mine-Lands/Pages/AMLER_Program.aspx) - [Congressman Rogers, Gov. Beshear Announce More Than $30 Million To Support Economic Revitalization in Eastern Kentucky](https://halrogers.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EC065F38-D1D7-418D-9EC3-1527E5A78F4E) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Office of the Governor, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2777.