On Jan. 13, 2026, Gov. Andy Beshear announced funding to enhance Kentucky's riverports and increase economic opportunities, efficiency and connectivity for Kentucky industries. More than $2.3 million in awards will benefit eight projects at six of Kentucky's public riverports.
"Kentucky's riverports are critical economic engines that connect us to national and global markets," said Beshear. "These awards invest in port efficiency with new equipment and further develop operations at riverports to help our businesses compete and grow."
Kentucky Public Riverport Construction and Maintenance (KPRCM) program funding invests $7.5 million per fiscal year to improve riverport facilities and infrastructure for new construction, major replacement or repair projects. This round of awards, administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, supports eight projects at six of Kentucky's public riverports.
The Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority received two awards totaling $730,000. A $520,000 project will replace a deteriorating scale house with a new 1,366-sq.-ft. building, and $210,000 will replace a fertilizer conveyor system. The scale building is critical to bulk yard operations, which account for approximately 55 percent of revenue.
The Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority was awarded nearly $460,000 for a project to replace and modernize an undersized and aging building. The new facility will support its expanded boat-repair operations and enable more efficient use of the port's lift.
The Hickman Fulton County Riverport Authority award of nearly $354,000 will go toward the purchase, engineering and installation of a new, safer, and more efficient barge-moving system.
The Henderson County Riverport Authority will receive more than $320,000 to replace a mobile conveyor system with a new electric material handler.
A $250,000 award will go to the Western Kentucky Regional Riverport Authority to excavate Fort Jefferson to develop a new 19-acre inland riverport.
The Owensboro Riverport Authority won two awards totaling more than $200,000 to purchase a new yard tractor and a new forklift. The acquisition will modernize its warehouse and improve loading and unloading operations.
Collectively, the projects modernize equipment, expand capacity and improve safety across Kentucky's riverport system, strengthening the state's role in regional and national freight movement.
"Team Kentucky is focused on strategic, targeted multi-modal investments that improve how goods move across our commonwealth," said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. "These enhancements are vital for commercial and industrial users who rely on strong and efficient riverports."
This is the final round of KPRCM grants to be announced before the next budget is set this legislative session. The funding comes from a grant program established by the 2024 General Assembly and approved by Beshear.
To date, Beshear has awarded $12.7 million for 17 projects through the new program.
