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Funds include $7 million for construction of athletic fields at new Christian County High School
HOPKINSVILLE, KY - On September 11, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear joined local leaders at the site of the new, nearly complete Christian County High School to announce $9,194,845 in grant funds to benefit the county. The funding will support construction of athletic fields at the new high school, as well as a new transportation facility, high-speed internet expansion, enhanced cybersecurity and improvements at Christian County Public Library.
“Today’s announcements are reaffirming what we’ve been saying since I took office: We’re investing in all our people. We’re making sure that progress and prosperity reach every Kentuckian, no matter their ZIP code or address,” said Gov. Beshear. “From bringing high-speed internet to homes and businesses for the first time to building athletic fields at a new, state-of-the-art school, this funding will bring new growth and opportunities to the people of Christian County.”
“Today, we celebrate education and growth in our community,” said Christian County Judge/Executive Jerry Gilliam. “By developing a legacy through education, we ensure that every student has access to a positive learning environment, fostering both academic excellence and personal growth. With the cybersecurity funding it will assist us in taking another step forward towards protection and improvement in Christian County.”
The Governor presented a $400,000 Federal Transit Administration award to Pennyrile Allied Community Services (PACS) to construct a new administrative and maintenance facility in Hopkinsville to enhance public transit in the region. The building will serve as a facility for bus drop-off and pick-up, as well as a maintenance garage and training facility for drivers. It will serve 10 counties in Western Kentucky: Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg.
“As a provider of public and Medicaid transportation, we know firsthand the need for affordable and reliable transportation for the communities we serve,” said Harold Monroe, executive director of PACS. “In fiscal year 2024, we provided over 3.7 million miles on over 320,000 actual rides for the nine counties we serve in the Pennyrile. Without the support of the various grants and funding we received such as today’s award, we would not be able to provide these services.”
Gov. Beshear presented $1,276,595 to the Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative to connect 270 homes and businesses in Christian County to high-speed internet for the first time. When combined with $1,276,595 in matching funds from the company, this project represents a $2,553,189 investment in the community.
The Governor also presented $38,250 in cybersecurity funding from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security to Christian County. This will help the county modernize technology and develop strategies to address cybersecurity risks and threats.
Gov. Beshear announced $480,000 for the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library to increase handicap accessibility and meet ADA requirements at the library. This includes removing architectural barriers, renovating both the first and second floor restrooms to be accessible and installing a larger elevator.
Lastly, the Governor, in partnership with the General Assembly, awarded $7 million to the Christian County School District in fiscal year 2024-25 for the construction of athletic fields at the district’s new high school.
This new funding comes after the Governor presented $10 million in state budget funding to support the new Christian County High School and integrated career and technical education center in 2021. The Governor also attended the ground-breaking for the school in September 2023. The school will offer four academies: Freshman Academy, Agriculture Academy, Engineering Academy and Community Health Academy.
“Christian County Public Schools is honored to receive the financial support from the state for the development of our athletic facilities at our new high school campus,” said Christian County Schools Superintendent Chris Bentzel. “The importance of providing students with high-quality athletic facilities and opportunities on their campus is crucial for fostering physical development, encouraging teamwork and developing a strong sense of community and school spirit. We are excited about the opportunity to build a campus that the students in Christian County will be proud of for years to come.”