Louisville Water-led coalition secures $35 million in state funding

Louisville Water formed a coalition to support regional water system improvements and secure a $35 million appropriation in Kentucky’s budget during the recent session of the General Assembly.

Louisville Water currently serves Bullitt County and provides water to Hardin and Nelson Counties through wholesale agreements. The region is poised for growth with the announcement of the Ford Blue Oval Battery Plant, Nucor Steel, and the booming bourbon industry.

In response to these economic development announcements, Louisville Water put together a coalition that includes regional water suppliers, economic development professionals, and elected officials from Bullitt, Hardin, Nelson, and Meade Counties.

With help from the contract lobbying firm MMLK, the coalition successfully lobbied the Kentucky General Assembly and secured the following appropriations:

• Hardin County will receive $10 million to construct water system improvements to serve the Ford plant.
• Nelson County will receive $10 million to construct a transmission main from Bullitt County to Bardstown.
• Meade County will receive $10 million to construct a transmission main from Hardin County to Brandenburg.
• Bullitt County will receive $5 million to subsidize a transmission main Louisville Water is constructing along the I-65 corridor.

“With this investment, Louisville Water is poised to be a significant water supplier for the region,” said President & CEO Spencer Bruce. “We will build on the success of this coalition to strengthen our relationship with our partners to assure we meet their growing water supply needs.”