(FRANKFORT, Ky.)-Both state parks located in Marshall County will undergo significant electrical infrastructure improvements after receiving substantial state funding aimed at enhancing emergency preparedness and disaster response capabilities.
Governor Andy Beshear announced Monday that Kenlake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village will each receive $7.6 million through the Grid Resilience Grant Program. The funding will support comprehensive upgrades to electrical systems at both facilities, strengthening their ability to maintain power during severe weather events.
The infrastructure improvements are designed to ensure that essential services remain operational when communities face natural disasters. Kentucky state parks have historically served as emergency shelters and relief centers during catastrophic weather events, making reliable power infrastructure crucial for public safety.
“Kentucky state parks not only provide Kentucky families with a great place to visit and make memories together, they have also sheltered our people in need during every natural disaster our state has faced,” Governor Beshear stated. “That’s why it’s so critical that we continue to invest in our parks and keep them up to date, resilient and efficient.”
The electrical grid enhancement projects are scheduled to begin this fall, with completion expected by 2026. These upgrades represent part of a broader state initiative to strengthen infrastructure resilience across Kentucky’s park system.
The timing of these improvements comes as extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent and severe, placing greater demands on emergency shelter facilities and highlighting the need for robust, reliable power systems in critical public facilities.