Gov. Andy Beshear recently announced that $119,625 will be provided to 29 Kentucky counties to help support local improvement projects, including Whitley, Knox, Bell and McCreary counties. Funds are returned annually to Kentucky’s coal-producing counties based on a percentage of mine permit and acreage fees paid by surface coal mining companies in each county.
“We are excited to announce that this is an increase of $15,000 from the refunds received last year,” said Beshear. “This money is a welcome resource for our communities and will be put to good use. Every dollar helps, and I am proud to be able to return a little bit back to those communities that have supported our nation for decades.”
Funds can be used for specific projects or for more general funding purposes based on each county’s needs. In previous years, the refunds have been used for maintaining and repairing county roads and bridges, improving county parks, maintenance expenses for county jails and animal shelters and more.
The Whitley County Fiscal Court will receive $4,800. The Knox County Fiscal Court will receive $4,375. The Bell County Fiscal Court will receive $22,337.50, and the McCreary County Fiscal Court will receive $250.
Last year, Kentucky’s coal-producing communities received more than $74 million in coal severance tax funds from fiscal year 2023, marking the most money allocated to these communities in 10 years. The money was distributed among 29 coal-producing counties and municipalities within those counties to support their economies and communities.
