WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has approved $3 million in funding for the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD). The funding, which will be used for a feasibility study to determine what repairs will need to be made to Louisville’s aging flood protection system, is a result of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which Senator McConnell negotiated and shepherded to enactment. That legislation provided disaster recovery money to states that suffered more than one flood related disaster in the past few years – Kentucky was one of the states eligible.
“This funding is welcome news for the City of Louisville,” Senator McConnell said. “Earlier this year, severe weather hit the city and caused flooding and extensive damage to the region. This announcement will bring much-needed resources to help improve Louisville’s flood control infrastructure and to prevent future damage.”
“The $3 million in funding for a study of the flood protection system in Louisville, as outlined in the USACE’s recently published Long Term Disaster Recovery Investment Plan list, is the first critical step in providing an overhaul to 65 year old facilities. This system protects thousands of homes and businesses in Louisville when the Ohio River rises, but still depends on 1950’s era technology,” said Tony Parrott, Executive Director of Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District. “We are thankful for Leader McConnell’s support to secure the funding to help keep the Louisville Community safe. Louisville MSD looks forward to working with the Leader’s office and the Corps on this study, and implementing the projects that will provide a safe and healthy Louisville for future generations.”
In April, Senator McConnell met with MSD employees, including Executive Director Tony Parrott, to discuss MSD’s work on this issue regarding the severe weather.
Earlier this year, Senator McConnell joined with members of the Kentucky delegation to ask President Trump to “timely consider” Kentucky’s major disaster declaration request and to provide aid to those communities and families extensively impacted by the severe weather.
Kentucky will also receive federal funding for flood control projects in Johnson and Floyd Counties.
