By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Gov. Andy Beshear has announced a $15.1 million investment designed to increase freight capacity and support economic activity through Kentucky’s waterways.
Awards from the Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance (KPRCM) program will fund projects across the state, which include equipment upgrades and replacement, warehouse and storage expansion, increased capacity for barge staging, safety improvements, and more.
“Our riverports play a key role in transporting goods across the Commonwealth,” Beshear said. “These investments will help boost capacity and support good-paying jobs for our people for years to come.”
The funding that was approved includes:
• $2.7 million to the Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority for two projects.
• $1.6 million to the Greenup Boyd County Riverport Authority for one project.
• $2.6 million to the Henderson County Riverport Authority for two projects.
• $2.6 million to the Hickman Fulton County Riverport Authority for one project.
• $1.1 million to the Owensboro Riverport Authority for three projects
• $2.2 million to the Paducah McCracken County Riverport Authority for four projects.
• $2 million to the West Kentucky Regional Riverport Authority for one project.
This is the fifth time KPRCM funding has been issued, with its last round announced in January 2026. Each grant project is reviewed and recommended by the state’s Water Transportation Advisory Board based on safety, preservation, transportation and economic development impact and other factors. The program provides funds that improve riverport facilities and infrastructure through new construction, major replacement or repair projects, and requires no local match.
“Moving freight on our waterways means we are able to move commerce in whatever way businesses need,” said KentuckyTransportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “Not only does that create stronger transportation overall, but it also helps preserve roadways that Kentuckians depend on every day.”