By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
The city of Glasgow was recently awarded $100,000 to enhance its stormwater infrastructure.
During his frequent Team Kentucky Updates, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced more than $1 million were awarded in grant assistance “for green infrastructure projects such as rain gardens, planter boxes, green roofs, and permeable pavements that help sewer overflow and address stormwater needs in rural or disadvantaged communities throughout the commonwealth.”
According to the release from the governor’s office, the funds come from the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant with priority given to those communities which are financially distressed or rural communities, which were not required to provide matching funds as is common of grant funding.
“Team Kentucky is meeting health and environmental challenges head-on with innovative and sustainable solutions that support our communities,” Beshear said. “We’re looking at a new Kentucky home, meeting the needs of our people while being mindful of our environment and the world we leave for future generations.”
One of the four improvement projects selected for this grant funding was the city of Glasgow, which was allotted $100,000 for “engineering and design to improve flooding impacts along Trojan Trail.”
“We are thrilled to receive this critical funding to address the stormwater challenges along Trojan Trail,” Henry Royse, Glasgow mayor, said in a press release from the city. “Flooding has been a significant issue in this area, and this grant allows us to implement sustainable, long-term solutions that will not only reduce flooding but also improve water quality and protect our community’s health and environment.”
“The flooding along Trojan Trail has been a persistent problem for Barren County Schools, residents and businesses in the area,” April Russell, city administrator, added. “This grant gives us the resources to plan and design a system that not only addresses the immediate issues but also provides lasting environmental benefits. We’re looking forward to seeing how these improvements will help make Glasgow more resilient.”
As Russell explained this grant is the first of more to come, though the city will have to apply for subsequent grants, and this $100,000 grant is for costs associated with hiring a consultant to access the flooding issue in that area.
“This will pay for a consultant to come in…and look at that area,” Russell said. “They’re going to take all the information and say ‘here’s your problem and here’s how to fix it.’ The goal is to use green infrastructure rather than hard infrastructure.”
Green infrastructure makes use of plant or soil systems, permeable surfaces, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to manage stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters.
According to the release, the engineering and design phase is expected to be completed by September 2026.
