CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced Tuesday that he secured a $5 million Community Project Funding earmark for Martin County water system improvements in the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. The bipartisan federal funding package was signed into law March 9.
The funding is for installing 50,000 linear feet of water distribution lines, replacing 240 residential meters and revamping service lines on Coldwater Road in Inez.
“Clean water is not only critical to our health but our rural economy,” Rogers, Dean of the House, said in a news release. “Martin County’s troubled water system is improving, but we still have work to do, and I’m pleased that this additional $5 million earmark request withstood the complex funding process in Washington. I have been working diligently with federal, state and local officials to eliminate the long history of water outages in Martin County so local folks can feel safe using the water from their faucets year-round.”
Federal funding secured by Congressman Rogers in recent years has been provided to install a new water intake, replace and extend water lines, eliminate the use of contaminated well water for local homeowners, install new storage tanks and booster pump stations, replace water meters, and improve the water treatment plant.
Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty, a longtime physician in Inez, personally sought Rogers for the funding and was happy with the announcement.
“I want to thank Congressman Rogers for his steadfast commitment to improving Martin County’s infrastructure and delivering clean, potable water to all of our citizens,” Lafferty said. “This earmark will go a long way in achieving our shared goal. It’s comforting to know that we have a leader such as Congressman Rogers who truly cares about the health and quality of life of those he represents.”
Since 2017, Congressman Rogers has secured $18.5 million in federal funding for Martin County water and wastewater improvements. He secured a $3.1 million earmark last year to upgrade the sewer plant and expand wastewater service on New Route 3.
In total, Congressman Rogers secured 15 Community Project Funding earmarks in the FY24 Consolidated Appropriations Act totaling nearly $86 million, along with other important wins for Southern and Eastern Kentucky. Learn more about recent federal funding that Congressman Rogers voted for by visiting halrogers.house.gov.