earmarks: 85
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| id | fiscal_year | chamber | member_name | member_last | member_first | bioguide_id | party | state | district | subcommittee | recipient | recipient_normalized | project_description | recipient_address | amount_requested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | 2022 | House | Andy Barr | Barr | Andy | B001282 | Republican | KY | Transportation, Housing and Urban Development | Improved Access via Economy Road from KY-52 to the Central Kentucky Regional Airport | IMPROVED ACCESS VIA ECONOMY ROAD FROM KY-52 TO THE CENTRAL KENTUCKY REGIONAL AIRPORT | First, the current road from KY-52 to the Airport is on a narrow and curvy one and a half (1 ½) lane rural roadway without shoulders called Caleast Road. Due to its sharp turns, curvy roads, and rolling topography, it is considered dangerous and especially problematic during heavy rains due to high volumes of flooding. In addition, Economy Road creates a safe alternative route when there is a need for rerouting motorists and tractor trailer traffic from I-75, which is one of the heaviest traveled interstates in the County. Finally, having a three-lane route will decrease current response times for first responders who are called to provide emergency response when events occur at the Airport. Second, aviation is the leading export in Kentucky and brings in a significant amount of dollars to the region. Eastern Kentucky University “EKU,” which is located in Madison County, is the only 4-year degreed granting aviation program in the state. The Airport is the location of EKU’s flight operation and its fleet of 23 (soon to be 30) aircraft. Daily, students travel this roadway to get to flight school where they train to get their required flight hours. With air becoming a major part of the supply chain model thanks to distribution companies like Amazon, increased demand is begin seen with over 350 students currently enrolled in the aviation program. This number is expected to increase with EKU’s recent investment in additional aircraft. Having a safe route is not only key for students traveling to the airport but also to ensure parents viewing the campus and Airport for their prospective student feel comfortable having their child travel the roadway. In addition, the Airport is the 3rd largest general aviation airport in the Commonwealth of Kentucky used by not only EKU but by both private aviators as well as corporate planes. In 2019, the three local jurisdictions of Madison County, the City of Richmond, and the City of Berea worked together to jointly fund the construction of 30 T-hangers at the Airport. In less than one year and during a global pandemic, all hangers were leased and currently have a waitlist of leases wishing to use the airport’s aircraft storage. This increased traffic is being seen on the current narrow roadway that was not built to hold the volume of traffic. Third, Economy Road is an economic development tool for our County. The road is proposed in a federal Opportunity Zone “OZ”. The ability to leverage our location on I-75 plus the attractiveness of an OZ for investors greatly increases the viability of industries using that economic tool to locate to Madison County and specifically the area around Economy Road. Because Opportunity Zones are required to be in low to moderate income census tracts, an additional benefit of Economy Road is to bring job opportunities for those Madison Countians living near Economy Road who are at or below the poverty level. In addition, the fact that we are at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains makes Madison County a regional economic hub for residents seeking jobs due to the reduction of work in Appalachia. Madison County, which is home to major companies like Okontie, Sherwin-Williams, Hitachi, and Hyster-Yale, as well as new commers that located this year like the 120-pump travel center chain Buc-cee’s and the ag-tech leader AppHarvest that is currently constructing 75 acres of under roof greenhouses with the goal of feeding the world from Appalachia Kentucky right from Madison County. These companies all utilize the Airport for private aircraft bringing CEOs, investors, and supply chain partners to the area. In addition, site selectors travel from across the country to Madison County to look at potential locations on a regular basis. The Airport and the road those individuals travel to get to the Airport are a critical component of our economic development recruitment strategy. Without a doubt, a better roadway will improve that recruitment by ensuring company stakeholders have a safe route not just for themselves but for their employees and business associates. It is also important to note that the Airport, and in turn Economy Road, will service the two Richmond Industrial parks, the two Berea Industrial parks, and the Bluegrass Army Depot all which are located less than four (4) miles from Economy Road. In addition to the transport of business leaders, products needing to be transported to facilities to ensure production is another reason many of the corporations utilize the road to travel from the Airport to their business sites. There is significant support for this project by the community as well as our regional partners in our surrounding counties as they also use the airport as a form of transportation. In addition to those that submitted letters of support, there is wide approval for the project by the following: o Madison County Fiscal Courto Eastern Kentucky Universityo City of Richmondo City of Bereao Richmond Chamber of Commerce o Berea Chamber of Commerce o Richmond Industrial Authorityo Industrial Park Tenantso Economic Development Partnerso Central Kentucky Regional Airport Board of Directorso Current business owners using the airport to transact businesso Alumnio General Assembly members o Local aviatorsThis project has been identified as a key priority for Madison County at the local, regional, and state level. From 2020 to 2021, this project was moved from 7th to 4th on the regional prioritization list. Economy Road will successfully tie together federal funded programs like the Airport, the Bluegrass Army Depot, and support the mission of the federal Opportunity Zone program. But to accomplish this, funding is critical. Currently, Madison County is battling the challenge of the opioid crisis which is causing us to redirect General Fund money for our Detention Center that would otherwise be used for infrastructure investments like Economy Road. By receiving this funding, we will be able to grow our economy and identify future employers that could provide second chance opportunities for those battling addition. | 135 W. Irvine St., Suite 300, Richmond, KY 40475 | 12255200 |