(The Center Square) – The Appalachian Regional Commission granted eastern Kentucky $78.8 million in taxpayer dollars to help infrastructure in the Appalachian part of the state, a record high for Kentucky.

The funds are disbursed by the Kentucky Department for Local Government and are designated to applicant organizations annually.

During fiscal year 2025, the department administered $14.8 million toward broadband, water, wastewater, roads and other infrastructure. Another $4.9 million was invested in workforce resource systems, while $790,000 was invested in local businesses.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is funded by the federal government with administrative fees paid into it each year by the 13 states that make up the region.

Certain projects can obtain fund matching from local governments, non-profits, and other grants, according to the Department for Local Government.

“There are certain programs that have applied for and received funds over multiple years, like the Technical Assistance Program for the Kentucky Rural Water Association,” said Logan Fogle, public information officer at the Department for Local Government. “It is also common for one project to receive funding over multiple years, especially if a project is being completed in phases.”

In the current fiscal year, Kentucky paid $1.1 million into the commission that was applied to administrative expenses.

Annual funds are granted to Kentucky from the commission, but they vary in amount each year. Fiscal year 2025 saw $23.6 million granted, while fiscal year 2024 had $32.3 million. The highest award before this year was 2023, when Kentucky received $59.2 million.

This year’s record-breaking award is already earmarked for 67 projects outlined in a document from Gov. Andy Beshear.

The projects range from medical education expansion and workforce development, to building projects that promise to create jobs, and water and sewage treatment improvements, among many others.

Organizations must apply to receive funding, and awards are re-assessed with each fiscal year.

Funds are available from the commission to aid organizations interested in funding, Fogle said.

“The commission provides funding annually to the Area Development Districts in Kentucky’s Appalachian region to help applicants apply for and receive grants.”

The Center Square reached out to small and local business coalitions, but they declined to comment on the funds coming into the area.