Sen. Chris McDaniel, Sen. Matt Nunn, Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer and Sen. Gex Williams — along with members of the Kenton County House Delegation — have secured more than $220 million in combined investments for Kenton County. The funding comes through the state’s biennial road plan, other relevant road project legislation and House Bill 900, which supports transformative one-time transportation, economic development, education and community-based initiatives across the Commonwealth.
The funding reflects a coordinated effort to strengthen Northern Kentucky’s infrastructure, support long-term economic growth and invest in innovative programs that improve quality of life across the region, according to a press release.
Major transportation investments
Significant funding was secured through the state’s biennial highway construction plan, House Bill 502, to address congestion, improve safety and enhance mobility along key corridors.
Key projects include, but are not limited to,
• $6.56 million for improvements along KY Highway 1303 between Dudley Road and Interstate 275 to reduce congestion,
• $2.61 million to improve safety and traffic flow at the KY Highway 17 interchange at I-275,
• $8.5 million for right-of-way acquisition to reconstruct KY Highway 236 (Stevenson Road),
• $5 million for alignment improvements along Buttermilk Pike, Orphanage Road and US 25,
• $3.68 million to rehabilitate US 25 between Buttermilk Pike and Interstate 75, and
• $5 million for design of a new interchange at I-75 and Buttermilk Pike.
In addition, more than $1.2 million was secured through the Local Assistance Road Program for resurfacing and safety improvements on local roads across the county.
Transformational investments through House Bill 900
In addition to transportation funding, the legislators secured significant one-time investments through House Bill 900 to support economic development, workforce initiatives and community services.
Major investments include
• $2.5 million over the biennium for the Northern Kentucky Area Development District to support a School of Innovation pilot project in Covington,
• $5 million over the biennium to establish the Kentucky Enterprise Fund,
• $6 million over the biennium for Blue North to expand entrepreneurship and innovation hubs,
• $5 million over the biennium for LifeSciKY to support the Kentucky BioInnovation Fund and $2 million over the biennium for LifeSciKY facility maintenance,
• $7 million over the biennium for Kenton County Fiscal Court to support infrastructure and economic development projects,
• $1.75 million over the biennium for Easterseals Redwood to support operations, and
• $1 million over the biennium for the City of Erlanger to support the Eons Adventure Park initiative.
Additional single-year investments include
• $3.5 million in fiscal year 2027 for the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home to support infrastructure upgrades and a transitional living program,
• $2 million in fiscal year 2028 for the Kenton County Fiscal Court to support construction of St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky facilities,
• $1 million in fiscal year 2027 for the Ohio Valley Voices cochlear implant program,
• $1 million across two years for the Life Learning Center to support recovery and workforce reentry services, and
• $37,000 in fiscal year 2027 for the Ludlow Heritage Museum to support operations.
“These investments represent lawmakers’ commitment to the people of Northern Kentucky and the continued growth of Kenton County,” McDaniel said. “Our state road plan and another round of transformative one-time investments prioritize critical transportation needs, innovation, workforce development and community services that will have a lasting impact for years to come. I want to commend all of my Senate and House colleagues who share a portion of this great county, and I also want to applaud local officials and stakeholders for their engagement throughout the budget session. Because of their work, all of this is possible.”
Frommeyer says the funding in the biennial road plan and one-time spending package supports both immediate needs and future growth.
“Kenton County is a growing and dynamic region, and these investments reflect the reality of what truly is the tip of Kentucky’s golden triangle,” Frommeyer said. “We are supporting safer roads, stronger communities and new opportunities for the wonderful people who call this region their home. To maintain the economic momentum we have, we must have the infrastructure necessary to support it. I’m glad and grateful for be a part of the excellent work that has been done on behalf of Kenton County and the whole of northern Kentucky.”
Nunn says the combined investments offer the county a balanced approach to infrastructure and economic opportunity.
“Taxpayers deserve for their dollars to be utilized in a way that is responsible by offering a way to get a return on investment,” Nunn said. “I think we’ve done that in this year’s road plan, but also in House Bill 900,” Nunn said. “From major highway improvements to investments in local communities, we’re helping position this region for long-term success by using these available funds in a way that will churn and generate additional revenues and benefits in the long run.”
Williams pointed out how the use of transformative one-time dollars is the product of years of fiscal responsibility.
“What we have here is more comprehensive investment in Kenton County’s future,” Williams said. “As far as one-time investment from the budget reserve trust fund goes, these opportunities would not even be possible were it not for nearly a decade of fiscal responsibility,” Williams said. “Through the leadership of our Senate Budget Chair, Chris McDaniel and Republican supermajorities of the House and Senate, Kentucky’s financial standing has drastically improved. One of the many indicators of that is our rainy day fund. I commend my colleagues for their fiscal sanity that is undoing decades of mismanagement in Frankfort. It results in us being able to return some of the taxpayer dollars the government collects back to the communities they belong in.”
Additional funding opportunities for counties across Kentucky
In addition to project-specific funding, the state budget includes several grant opportunities available to local governments.
• $50 million over the next two years for the County-City Bridge Improvement Program,
• $24 million in fiscal year 2027 for a new matching grant program for counties and cities, and
• additional funding in fiscal year 2028 through revenue-sharing formulas.
The state road plan includes a $4.6 billion biennial construction program alongside a $7 billion transportation budget, ensuring projects can move forward without delay while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, represents the 23rd Senate District in northern Kenton County. McDaniel serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee and co-chair of the 2026-28 Budget Preparation and Submission Committee.
Sen. Matt Nunn represents the 17th Senate District, including Grant and Scott Counties, southern Kenton County, and northwestern Fayette County. He is co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection.
Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, represents the 24th Senate District, including Bracken, Campbell and Pendleton Counties and part of Kenton County. She serves as co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary and the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee. Frommeyer is the vice-chair of the Economic Development, Tourism & Labor Committee.
Sen. Gex “Jay” Williams, R-Verona, represents the 20th Senate District, which encompasses Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, and Owen Counties, southern Boone County, and southwestern Kenton County. Williams serves as vice chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee and co-chair of the Investments in Information Technology Oversight Statutory Committee.
Kentucky Legislative Research Commission