Wesley announces $14.5 million investment in Estill County:
Kentucky lawmakers approved House Bill 502, which includes over $14 million for investments in Estill County, State Representative Bill Wesley is happy to announce.
“I am glad to see our taxes returning to our district,” Wesley said. “Every dollar invested in Estill County is a dollar invested to improve our community and support our way of life.”
House Committee Substitute 2 to SB 197 gives the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management the ability to request up to $10 million from the Finance and Administration Cabinet as a necessary government expense to relocated students and construction of temporary facilities for students attending Estill County Middle School in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
“After years of work to find the funding for Estill County Middle School I am glad to see us provide the district with the ability to move their students to temporary facilities while a new middle school is planned and constructed,” Wesley stated. “I would like to thank my colleagues in the General Assembly and local leaders for their work on this project to ensure our students are provided an alternative to safely continue their education.”
HB 502 appropriates more than $2.3 million to Estill County in the biennial road plan. A key project included in the bill is $2.3 million to construct a walkway across the Kentucky River along KY 52. This is a project Rep. Wesley has been advocating for since taking office to allow pedestrians to safely cross.
“I am happy to see this project finally begin construction during this road plan,” Wesley added. “Many people, especially the elderly and single mothers, cross the Irvine bridge using the curb as a sidewalk. This walkway will provide them with a safe way to cross the Kentucky River and ensure that everyone is safe.”
It also invests $20,000 to install guardrails on KY 499. The measure provides a two-year roadmap for the construction and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure.
Estill County will receive $2.2 million for road projects in the county. The measure, HJR 76, funds the Local Assistance Road Plan (LARP) with local projects dedicated to county and city road resurfacing projects, bringing critical improvements to communities across the commonwealth. These funds will be used to resurface the following roadways:
Grace Chapel
Winburn Woods
Walton
Stump
Hargett
New Bethel
Churchhouse Hill
Noland Creek
Old Landing
Rice Station
Jakes Heavenly Highway
Eli Sparks
Clark
Old Fox
“Roads are one of the important public services our government provides,” Wesley added. “These investments into our local roadways will improve connectivity and safety while we travel to work, school, and our neighboring communities.”
For more information on HB 502, HB 900, HJR 76, or SB 197, please visit legislature.ky.gov.
Wesley announces $21 million for investments in Powell County:
Kentucky lawmakers approved House Bill 900, which includes $7.1 million in funding for infrastructure investments to benefit Powell County, State Representative Bill Wesley is happy to announce.
According to Wesley, the measure includes $3.2 million to the Powell County Fiscal Court to support upgrades, improvements, and developments of the Clay City Industrial Park.
“I am happy to announce these investments in our community,” Wesley said. “Since taking office, I have fought to ensure our district would not be neglected and that we would have access to resources to strengthen our community. I am proud of the General Assembly’s commitment to rural Kentucky and look forward to seeing the results of these projects on our district.”
Additionally, Powell County received $1.5 million for the dredging of Hoedown Island Lake and $1.9 million to support the Red River Wastewater Treatment Plant equipment replacement project. The City of Stanton also received $500,000 for park improvements.
HB 900 represents a continued effort by Kentucky lawmakers to make strategic investments in rural communities, ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive while preserving the character and strengths that make them unique.
“While these investments are important to our community, there is still more work to be done,” Wesley added. “We are continuing to work to find more funding to address water and sewage infrastructure for Powell County to ensure our community has better access to these vital utilities.”
HB 502 appropriates nearly $13.86 million to Powell County in the biennial road plan. Key projects include $5.1 million to address the condition of the Mountain Parkway and $3.2 million to improve safety and level of service on KY Highway 213. The measure provides a two-year roadmap for the construction and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure. Additionally, these funds will be used to widen KY Highway 15 and install guardrails on KY Highway 82.
Powell County will receive $66,000 for road projects in the county and the City of Stanton will receive $62,400 for its roads. The measure, House Joint Resolution 76, funds the Local Assistance Road Plan (LARP) with local projects dedicated to county and city road resurfacing projects, bringing critical improvements to communities across the commonwealth. These funds will be used to resurface Strange Street, Chaneyville Road, O’Hair Road, White Avenue, and Graham Street.
“Powell County relies on rural highways to connect it to its neighbors,” Wesley added. “These investments ensure that our community stays connected to our neighbors from the Mountain Parkway to KY Highway 213. I would also like to thank Mayor Willie Means for helping us identify the roads needing funding and support in Stanton.”
“I am extremely grateful to our leadership in the House and Senate for helping secure these projects for our district.”
For more information on HB 502, HB 900, HJR 76, or SB 197, please visit legislature.ky.gov.
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