With four qualifying Presidential disaster declarations over 2023 and 2024, nearly every Kentucky county is eligible to apply for more than $1.4 billion in funding from the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA) to help with recovery efforts.
Only 10 counties are not eligible: Boone, Boyd, Campbell, Carroll, Kenton, Mason, Oldham, Pendleton, Pike and Scott.
The EDA is currently accepting applications for the fiscal year 2025 Disaster Supplemental program. Distributions are on a first-come, first-served basis, so counties are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted or a new ‘Notice of Funding Opportunity’ is released.
Matching funds are required, but counties can apply for those through the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s GRANT matching fund program.
ROI metrics and private sector partnerships are key components for a competitive application, according to a recent presentation by Grant Ready Kentucky.
Grant Ready Kentucky highlights the three funding pathways available:
- Readiness – Non-construction projects to build capacity for future recovery
Readiness Path projects are intended to help communities build the capacity needed to successfully plan and implement long-term economic recovery and development efforts. These projects focus on strengthening a community’s ability to design, fund, and manage future initiatives. These grants support a wide range of activities that strengthen local capacity and readiness.
- Implementation – Projects addressing post-disaster economic challenges
Implementation Path grants support projects that strengthen a community’s resilience to future disasters and restore or enhance critical public infrastructure impacted by past natural disasters. These grants aim to restore long-term economic activity, reduce future vulnerabilities, and accelerate economic diversification through strategic investments in key industries.
- Industry Transformation – Large, multi-component initiatives to transform regional economies
Industry Transformation Path grants are designed to accelerate the growth of emerging or existing industry clusters in eligible regions. Led by coalitions of regional partners, these projects aim to scale strategic industries, attract major private and public investment, and strengthen long-term economic resilience. EDA expects applicants to propose projects similar to those under the Implementation Path.
The four major disaster declarations in 2023–24 include:
- April 2023: FEMA-4702-DR
- May 2023: FEMA-4711DR
- July 2024: FEMA-4894-DR
- September 2024: FEMA-4848-DR
For more information about the opportunity and the three funding pathways, click here.
