Governor Matt Bevin was in Harlan on Thursday, along with Congressman Hal Rogers, to announce funding for several projects across Harlan County.

“Today was a great day for Harlan County! Congressman Rogers and Governor Bevin made several funding announcements today that total $4,852,000 in new projects for Harlan County,” Harlan County Judge-Executive Mosley said in a Facebook post.

Mosley introduced Bevin at an event at the Tucker-Guthrie Memorial Airport on Thursday, where many of the projects were announced.

“It’s an honor to have Governor Bevin and Congressman Rogers here with us today,” Mosley told the crowd. “We just left Benham, where the Congressman and the Governor made a huge announcement for economic development and tourism in Harlan County.”

According to Mosley, the county will receive a $2.55 million AML grant for rehabilitation of Portal 31, development of a High Point Observation Tower on top of Black Mountain and the rehabilitation of the Bath House in Lynch to create a dulcimer factory, mushroom growing facility, and online sales center for mountain crafts. He also stated the county will receive a $900,000 federal grant for a sewer project to service Fourmile, Keith, and the Tucker-Guthrie Memorial Airport. The airport will also receive $600,000 in state funding for new fuel pumps.

Following some introductions of elected officials in attendance, Mosley handed to podium over to Governor Bevin.

“Thank you all for being here,” Bevin said. “As I’m standing here and I look around at these mountains and I look at this sky and these beautiful decorations…I was struck by the fact that this is a day that the Lord has made, and we have a lot to rejoice and be glad about. How fortunate we are to be Kentuckians, to be Americans and to be blessed by the incredible efforts of so many people that have allowed this to happen. You are represented well in this community.”

Bevin credited Mosley and Fugate for bringing his attention to Harlan.

“These things would not happen if you didn’t have people like this,” Bevin said. “If you didn’t have them fighting for you – people I respect, people that when they ask for a moment of my time or an hour of my time they get a moment or an hour…when serious people who are serious about what they’re doing, who bring the work ethic and the values of a community like this want time on my schedule I do everything in my power to make it happen.”

Bevin added the airport is the first impression business people who are flying in have of a community, and it is important that impression be a good one.

“It’s been said, and you all have heard it, without vision, the people will perish,” Bevin said. “It’s true for a business, it’s true for and industry, it’s true for a community and it’s true for a county. You have visionaries, and you have people like Dan (Mosley) who truly have a vision for what they want this community to be…it is an honor and a privilege for me to be your governor, it truly is. I’m grateful for the opportunity you’ve afforded me.”