Gov. Andy Beshear announced a $31.5 million effort to revitalize the city of Mayfield’s downtown, which was badly damaged by the deadly tornado outbreak on December 10, 2021.
The Rebuild Downtown Mayfield project is moving forward thanks to a $25 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE, grant that was announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The balance of the project will be paid for by $6.3 million in state transportation funding and an additional $200,000 in other federal funding.
“The effort aims to improve quality of life in Mayfield by supporting job growth, increasing driver and pedestrian safety, improving clean water systems, replacing trees lost in the disaster and building ADA accessible routes to buildings,” the governor’s office said. “The project will also connect new residential homes constructed for displaced renters and homeowners to city services, jobs and activities, including a new farmers market.”
The devastating natural disaster took the lives of 24 Mayfield residents, destroyed more than 400 structures and damaged 1,100 others. Shortly after the tornadoes, President Joe Biden joined Beshear in Mayfield, and they pledged to help the city rebuild.
“After that storm, we made a promise to be with Western Kentucky until every life and structure was rebuilt,” Beshear said. “We have seen successes in building hundreds of new homes for people who lost everything. But another major part of keeping our promise lies in making sure these communities recover and thrive. We thank the president and his administration for their commitment to help us rebuild Mayfield for the bright future we see coming our way.”
“Two and a half years ago the people of Mayfield were told by President Biden that we would not be forgotten by the federal government in our quest to rebuild after the tornado of December 10, 2021, destroyed so much in the heart of our community,” Mayfield Mayor Kathy O’Nan said. “The award of this RAISE grant is a monumental part of the fulfillment of that promise; every level of government has done exactly what they said they would do. We are truly Mayfield Strong, but not without the help that this opportunity brings, and we are most grateful.”
(Photo: Damage in Mayfield from the December 10, 2021, tornado)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
