KY WWATERS Fund – The Kentucky Water and Wastewater Assistance for Troubled or Economically Restrained Systems program was funded in the 2024 Session of the General Assembly to assist utilities with financial challenges. Qualifying events are specified in statute. Projects submitted by utilities will be scored and ranked by the Authority. Funding commitments will be made by the General Assembly.
The Broadband Deployment Fund was established in 2020 and the Office of Broadband Development was created in 2022 as the central broadband planning and coordination entity to encourage, foster, develop, and improve broadband within the Commonwealth. The Office aims to improve broadband accessibility for unserved and underserved communities and populations, drive job creation, promote innovation, and expand markets for Kentucky businesses and industries, and serve the needs of Kentucky's agricultural, educational, health care, and public safety systems, governmental operations, and citizens.
The Broadband Deployment Fund received $300 million federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to award grants from internet service providers and local governments to construct broadband infrastructure and bring high-speed internet to unserved and underserved homes and businesses. Funds were awarded to internet service providers to construct broadband infrastructure and must be fully expended by recipients by December 31, 2026.
The Broadband Deployment Fund received a $5 million Planning Fund grant in 2023 for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program (BEAD) to support planning and mapping efforts and building the capacity of the Office through 2027. The Planning funds will finance the required activities necessary for Kentucky to access the $1.086 billion allocated to Kentucky to achieve universal access to high-speed internet by funding broadband deployment.
The budget includes Federal Funds appropriation in the amount of $75,502,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $20,223,000 in fiscal year 2028 to support the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $109,906,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $18,294,000 in fiscal year 2028 to support the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
The budget includes Restricted Funds appropriation in the amount of $2,486,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $4,972,000 in fiscal year 2028 to support bonds included in the capital budget.
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