By TOM LATEK, Kentucky Today

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) - A total of $1,969,000 from the federal Delta Regional Authority (DRA) will be going to six projects in western Kentucky aimed at improving infrastructure and supporting workforce development.

The funding comes from the DRA's States' Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), according to Gov. Andy Beshear, whocurrently serves as the States' Co-Chair of the DRA.

"Every dollar announced today will make life better for Kentuckians,"he said. "These funds are improving our infrastructure, investing in ourworkforce, and helping our people lead healthier lives. We are in an incredible window of opportunity in Kentucky, and we are making progress in every corner of our commonwealth."

The following projects were recommended for DRA funding by Beshear:

--The city of Hanson was awarded more than $190,000 for a waterline project that will position the community for ongoing growth in business development, industry attractiveness and economic opportunities such as new jobs andadditional revenue sources.

--The Henderson County Water District was awarded more than $227,000 for a water loss reduction project that will upgrade the county's supervisory control and data acquisition system, which will enable the district to identifywater loss and target repairs to provide reliable water services to its residents and businesses.

--The Henderson County Riverport was awarded more than $150,000 for an equipment acquisition project that will replace aging equipment with operational equipment, increasing the riverport's efficiency and continued economic growth within the county.

--The Murray-Calloway County Industrial Authority was awarded $509,000 to construct an adult training facility designed to support unemployed and underemployed adults in acquiring essential skills that will serve a crucial role in the recovery efforts for tornado-stricken areas and the local shortage in skilled craft workers.

--The Crittenden-Livingston Water District was awarded $408,000 to support a water treatment plant expansion project that will allow for the construction of an additional clear well for the purposes of increasing storage capacity and water supply and alleviating a water shortage crisis.

--Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville was awarded more than $485,000 to upgrade and replace medical equipment within the facility to provide better quality of care and services to its patients.

The Delta Regional Authority serves eight states including part ofwestern Kentucky, likeeastern Kentucky is part ofthe Appalachian Regional Authority.