Louisville mayor highlights $1B in state budget for infrastructure, public safety, and more
More than $1 billion in the state's new budget could shape projects and services for years to come in Louisville.
Kentucky lawmakers from both sides of the aisle joined Mayor Craig Greenberg on Friday as he highlighted the investment.
"These funds are invested in people," Mayor Greenberg said. "They're invested in safer streets and stronger neighborhoods and growing businesses, and more opportunity for every part of our city."
Lawmakers called the funding overdue.
"Louisville had long been neglected and had long been underserved by both its government in Frankfort and its government here in Louisville," said Rep. David Osborne. "Two years ago, an unprecedented investment in the City of Louisville started the ball forward."
The more than $1 billion being invested is divided in a few different ways.
Here is how the money will be split:
- Transportation and infrastructure investments: More than $730 million
- Economic development and downtown revitalization: More than $120 million
- Health and Human Services: Nearly $38 million
- Education and workforce development: More than $42 million
- Arts, culture, and tourism: Nearly $31 million
- Public safety: $30 million
Thrive by Five Louisville, a nonprofit aiming to expand access to affordable early childhood education, will receive $500,000 to support operations and scholarships for families.
"So we are really happy with all initiatives around the state, even nationally, that are really focusing our efforts on getting every child ready for kindergarten," said Reylene Robinson, executive director.
But Sen. Gerald Neal says the work is not done.
"There are those who didn't get anything this cycle that I'm going to advocate for, and I know my colleagues will join me in advocating for addressing those issues, not only in the 33rd district, but those issues across the Commonwealth of Kentucky," Sen. Neal said.
