HENDERSON, Ky. — Millions of dollars are being poured into Henderson to connect thousands of homes and businesses to high-speed internet.
Access to good internet can be difficult in some areas of Kentucky.
“One day recently this past summer, my oldest brother was visiting,” said Drew Hagan, a senior at Henderson County High School. “His brother is working from home for work and the rest of the family was banned from using Wi-Fi due to poor connectivity.” We have. “
But more than $20 million in aid is on the way. The state is contributing more than $10 million, with the electric cooperative Kenergy matching that amount.
“We will spend $10.2 million to connect 3,500 homes and businesses to high-speed internet, 2,300 in Henderson County and 1,200 in Davis County,” said Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear.
This project will add 652 miles of connectivity.
“This region will definitely have what it needs to compete for all the job opportunities and new headquarters,” Beshear said.
Henderson Mayor Brad Staton said he hopes high-speed internet access will keep people in the commonwealth, especially young people looking for jobs after graduation.
“When you graduate from high school, people spread their wings and fly away. We want you to remember how precious your home is to you, and how valuable you are to your home.” Staton said.
Beshear also presented $700,000 in Henderson County Fiscal Court that could be used to complete a series of grading projects to construct a 1 million-square-foot building pad on the Sandy Lee Watkins property.
“When the next Ford or Amazon is looking for where they can grow and where they can get to market fastest, I think they’re going to find a great home here in Henderson,” Beshear said.
Henderson County received $175,000 in 2020 for a natural gas line extension along Kentucky Highway 425. In 2023, Pratt Industries selected the site for a new $500 million paper mill that will create more than 300 jobs.
