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WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Rep Ron Lewis (KY-02) secured more than $2.8 million in funding for Daviess County projects as part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill signed into law last week by President Bush and earlier legislation designating funds for the Department of Defense that became law in November.
Local projects that will receive federal funds include: The Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club in Owensboro ($167,030 for equipment); Daviess County Sheriff’s Department ($188,000 for regional methamphetamine eradication efforts); The University of Kentucky Biofuels Research Laboratory ($492,000 to support collaborative work with local agriculture and energy producers); and the Owensboro Cancer Research Program at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center ($2,000,000 to conduct plant-based research).
“It has been a long road completing the appropriations process, but in the end Daviess County came out on top,” said Lewis. “I am grateful that my congressional colleagues and the president agreed that these are responsible projects that will benefit those who live and work in Daviess County for many years to come.”
Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club
The Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club serves over 3,000 youth in the Owensboro region by providing a safe learning environment, character development, positive role models, and healthy physical activities. Federal assistance will allow the organization to purchase playground equipment, tables and chairs and construct outdoor restroom facilities.
“This funding gives our club’s kids greater opportunities to enhance technical skills, creates avenues for athletic and fitness programs, and positions the club for better community involvement,” said Executive Director Steve Winkler.
Daviess County Sheriff’s Department
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Department will administer $188,000 for the methamphetamine eradication efforts across Kentucky’s Second Congressional District. Funds will be directly allocated to local Drug Task Force Agencies to train new officers and assist efforts to locate and shut down methamphetamine laboratories.
“Kentucky Law Enforcement’s documented success in curtailing the illicit manufacturing and distribution of Methamphetamine is due, in part, to 2nd Congressional District Congressman Ron Lewis,” said Daviess County Sheriff Keith Cain. “Both his efforts in passing comprehensive Methamphetamine related legislation and securing funding for local law enforcement have resulted in a significant reduction of this horrendous drug’s availability in our communities.”
Biofuels Research Laboratory
The Biofuels Research Laboratory at the University of Kentucky will use federal funds to purchase equipment to work directly with agricultural and energy producers across the Commonwealth to develop improved processes for biomass utilization and the development of low-cost, high capacity processes for the conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals.
Owensboro Grain Co. is one of several local operations that will benefit from the Biofuels Research Laboratory.
“The establishment of an open access laboratory would be of benefit to biofuel companies in the Commonwealth, and is a necessary step if Kentucky is to become a leader in bioenergy,” said Owensboro Grain Co. Vice President John Wright.
Owensboro Cancer Research Program
The University of Louisville’s Brown Cancer Center and the Owensboro Medical Health System created the Owensboro Cancer Research Program as a joint venture to develop cancer therapies using plant production systems. Research is conducted at laboratories maintained by OMHS at their Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.
The partnership expands Owensboro’s position as a leader in plant-based pharmaceutical research, which already includes the industry leader, Kentucky Bioprocessing LLC.
"On behalf of the Owensboro Cancer Research Program, I commend Congressman Lewis and the U.S. House for their support of the biopharmaceutical research currently underway in Owensboro," said Dr. Jeff Barber, Owensboro Medical Health System President and CEO. “This federal funding allows Owensboro Medical Health System to expand the critical research infrastructure needed in developing new lifesaving cancer drugs and treatments.”
Interstate Spurs
In addition to federal funding, Lewis also secured a provision last August to designate the Audubon Parkway as a spur to the future north-south Interstate 69 and the Natcher Parkway as a spur to the future east-west Interstate 66. Signs were recently erected in Owensboro to identify the routes.
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