Eddyville Riverport Photo
Governor Andy Beshear has announced over $2.3 million in awards to benefit eight projects at six of Kentucky’s public riverports, including the Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Authority.
In a release, Gov. Beshear said Kentucky’s riverports are critical economic engines that connect the state to national and global markets. He said these awards invest in port efficiency with new equipment and further develop operations at riverports to help Kentucky businesses compete and grow.
In this round of grant funding from the Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance program, administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, nearly $460,000 was awarded to the Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Authority. The funding is for a project to replace and modernize an undersized and aging building. The new facility will support its expanded boat-repair operations and enable more efficient use of the port’s lift.
Funding was also awarded to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority, Hickman Fulton County Riverport Authority, Henderson County Riverport Authority, Western Kentucky Riverport Authority, and the Owensboro Riverport Authority.
Together, state officials said these projects update equipment, increase capacity, and enhance safety at Kentucky’s riverports, reinforcing the state’s importance in regional and national freight transport.
According to the Beshear administration, this is the last round of Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance grants to be announced before the upcoming legislative session sets the next budget. The funding comes from a grant program created by the 2024 General Assembly and approved by Gov. Beshear.
To date, Gov. Beshear has reportedly awarded $12.7 million for 17 projects through the new program.
