LEXINGTON, Ky. — The city has been awarded $130,393 in federal grant funding to support criminal justice initiatives, according to a notification from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

The award comes through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program 2026 Local Solicitation, administered by the U.S. Justice Department. The formula-based funding is calculated using local population and Part One violent crime statistics.

The grant provides flexibility in how jurisdictions can improve their criminal justice systems. Permissible uses include hiring additional personnel, purchasing equipment and supplies, securing contractual support, funding training and technical assistance programs, and developing information systems for criminal justice agencies.

The Lexington Police Department is leading recommendations on how to deploy the funds, though specific allocation details were not included in the initial announcement. The grant funds are awarded in the first fiscal year of the appropriation and can be expended over the following three years, allowing the city to plan strategically for long-term criminal justice improvements.

The Byrne JAG program, established in 1988, represents one of the longest-running federal justice assistance funding streams for state and local governments. The program supports a wide range of criminal justice activities across law enforcement, courts, corrections, victim services, and community safety initiatives.

Further details on how Lexington will allocate the grant funding are expected as the Police Department and LFUCG administration finalize their implementation plans.