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January 2, 2008

Lewis Delivers Federal Dollars to Shelby County

$232,640 designated for area projects in FY 2008 federal budget

WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Rep Ron Lewis (KY-02) secured $232,640 in funding for Shelby County projects as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill signed into law last week by President Bush.

Local projects that will receive federal funds include: The Shelby County Drug and Alcohol advisory Council ($75,200 to support substance abuse education) and Guist Creek Lake ($157,440 to conduct a lake capacity restoration study.)

“It has been a long road completing the appropriations process, but in the end Shelby County priorities were met in the federal budget,” said Lewis. “I am grateful that my congressional colleagues and the president agreed that these are responsible projects that will benefit the region for many years to come.”

Shelby County Drug and Alcohol advisory Council

The Shelby County Drug/Alcohol Advisory Council, Inc. plans to use funds to solidify partnerships and enhance education, intervention, and prevention efforts in the community.

“Through this grant, the Advisory Council intends to be the catalyst for change, strengthening all partnerships to embrace youth with protective factors, thereby insuring healthy and productive citizens of the future,” said Director Jessica Cox. “By effecting individual, family, environmental and policy changes, quality of life will be improved for all of Shelby County’s members.”

Guist Creek Lake

Guist Creek Lake is the primary drinking water source for the residents of Shelby

County. Significant population growth and all-time low lake levels have put the future availability of water into question.

Federal funds will be used to conduct a lake capacity restoration study in an effort to preserve future use and access. County officials estimate that more than 30,000 people and over 68 industrial facilities that currently rely on Guist Creek Lake will benefit from the project.

“Shelby County is very excited to receive funding for the Guist Creek Lake Restoration Study Project,” said Judge Executive Rob Rothenburger. ”This project is essential to the economic stability of Shelby County, particularly our ability to attract future commercial and tourist activity.”

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