Congressman Hal Rogers visited Harlan along with Governor Matt Bevin on Thursday, speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at the Tucker-Guthrie Memorial Airport.

Harlan County Judge-Executive Dan Mosley introduced Rogers to the folks gathered outside the new airport terminal.

“Dan, thank you very much for the nice introduction,” Rogers said. “Let me echo what the governor has said about Dan (Mosley). He’s a visionary leader and he’s working hard to help this great community thrive.”

Rogers said Bevin is a driving force for Kentucky.

“He’s a salesperson, he’s a recruiter,” Rogers said. “He works hard to attract new business and industry across the state. Governor, we thank you for your support here in eastern Kentucky.”

Rogers then announced a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $900 thousand grant to extent sewer service to the airport, as well as 213 homes and 15 businesses on the way.”

Rogers also mentioned former Army Corps of Engineers projects, such as moving the graves at the Wix-Howard Cemetery and a ponding issue in in Loyall.

“I want to congratulate the Harlan Fire Department on its brand new ladder truck,” Rogers said. “They were recently awarded an $809 thousand grant from FEMA.”

Rogers pointed out the majority of fire fighters in eastern Kentucky are volunteers.

“We still have a lot of healing to go since the end of the war on coal,” Rogers said. “But we’ve proved nothing is too hard to overcome in Harlan County. If we can reroute the Cumberland River as we did, we can do anything.”

Rogers reminisced about several flood control projects which were completed in Harlan many years ago.

“I pointed out to the governor the tunnels where we rerouted the river out of downtown Harlan…and then the flood wall around the city of Harlan” Rogers said. “There’s a lot government can do, and should do. But the most important way for us to realize a better future is people like yourselves being involved in your community with projects like this to make things better…I appreciate the personal sacrifice that so many of you give to make a better place and I’m delighted with the way things are going right here.”