Gov. Beshear announced a second round of awards from the West Kentucky State Aid Funding for Emergencies (SAFE) fund. The more than $6.1 million in assistance announced today will go to seven Western Kentucky cities, counties and utilities to help with the costs of recovery from the devastating December 2021 tornadoes.
“Our Western Kentucky communities need our help as they continue to rebuild following the tornadoes that took so much from them last December,” Gov. Beshear said. “These funds will help cover expenses and services that are not eligible for FEMA aid, and they will help ease some of the financial burdens that these communities have endured.”
The $6.1 million announced today will accommodate the 5.2% local share for FEMA-eligible expenses. Today’s funding awards include more than $2.8 million for the City of Mayfield, and Mayfield Electric & Water Systems will receive more than $2 million. Caldwell County Fiscal Court is set to receive nearly $200,000. The City of Dawson Springs will receive more than $121,000. Marshall County Fiscal Court will receive more than $811,000. The City of Bowling Green will receive more than $44,000. Hickman County Fiscal Court will receive more than $17,000. Last week, Gov. Beshear announced that Hopkins County would receive the first round of SAFE funding.
“We would like to thank Gov. Beshear, Sen. Howell and others who have worked diligently in setting up SAFE funds for the tornado-ravaged counties in Kentucky,” Hickman County Judge/Executive Kenny Wilson said. “Being able to use funding for our FEMA match is very important to a small county like ours. Our hope in the future is to tap into the SAFE funds more to add additional emergency sirens in our county and make some much-needed improvements for better radio communications for our first responders and emergency service providers. We really appreciate the help.”
Gov. Beshear recommended the appropriation for the SAFE fund, and the 2022 General Assembly supported the aid by passing Senate Bill 150, which the Governor signed into law April 15.
The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management continues to receive additional applications for SAFE funding, which they are carefully reviewing to ensure the funds are used to their maximum benefit. KYEM anticipates additional funding will be made available to some of these same entities soon.