Owingsville, Ky – Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) announced a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to Bath County and a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant to the city of Owingsville today.
Bath County received funding through FEMA’s Severe Repetitive Loss (SLR) grant program to purchase land owned by the Salt Lick Church of God. The seven-decade old Church suffered tremendous and repeated flood damage including recent floods in 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2018. SLR grant program provides funding to state, local or tribal governments to use in flood mitigation efforts. Today’s grant enables Bath County to purchase the Church’s land, while providing the Church capital to assist in construction of a new location.
Additionally, the City of Owingsville received USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant program funding for additions to the police department section of City Hall and the purchase of a new police vehicle. For construction on the additions, Owingsville received $120,000 in grant money and a low-interest loan of $40,000. The purchase of the new police vehicle to bolster emergency response by the City will be funded entirely by a grant of $28,530.
“These grant awards are a great boost to Bath County and the City of Owingsville. Nothing is more important than protecting our community, and the USDA grant for a new police vehicle strengthens our ability to respond to emergencies and protect the public,” said Congressman Barr. “We also are here to celebrate the FEMA grant allowing Salt Lick Church of God to start a new chapter and continue being a place of worship for its parishioners. I was happy to support both of these projects, and thrilled they were approved.”
Congressman Barr’s office guided Bath County through the application process of the FEMA grant and advocated for the USDA grant award through a letter of support. Congressman Barr also voted for the 2018 Farm Bill, which reauthorized rural development grant programs at the USDA, including the Community Facilities Grant program. Lastly, Congressman Barr voted in support of the 2019 and 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Acts, which provided $45 million and $49 million respectively towards the Community Facility Grant program.