Two Kentucky coalitions announced as finalists in Build Back Better Regional Challenge

Two Kentucky coalitions have been announced as finalists for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $1 billion “Build Back Better Regional Challenge.”

Sixty coalitions were chosen from 529 initial applicants in Phase 1. These finalists will each receive a $500,000 grant to further develop their proposed projects regardless of whether or not they are chosen as a finalist for Phase 2. 

Finalists are now set to compete for Phase 2 of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, which will award 20-30 regional coalitions up to $100 million to implement 3-8 projects that support one of nine industry sectors. The deadline for Phase 2 is March 15, 2022. 

Two coalitions representing the Commonwealth will move onto Phase 2: the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council and Kentucky's Prosperity through AgriTech Hub (PATH) Coalition in Eastern Kentucky. 

The coalition led by the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council seeks to “establish the Louisville region as a national hub for digital health care by broadening the region's artificial intelligence (AI) talent pipeline and supporting AI adoption in the healthcare sector.” The project will serve the Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA), which includes seven Kentucky counties (Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble). ‘

Kentucky’s PATH Coalition, led by the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, proposes five aligned projects that “revolve around the construction of a new state-of-the-art AgriTech research and development (ARD) center that will establish Eastern Kentucky as an agriculture technology hub.” 

The project will primarily serve Eastern Kentucky and is led by a diverse group of coalition members including county judge/executives in Morgan, Menifee and Rowan counties (through the MMRC Industrial Park). 

Funding was allocated to the EDA’s “Build Back Better Regional Challenge” through the American Rescue Plan Act. The Challenge seeks to boost economic pandemic recovery and rebuild American communities through transformative investments. 

For more information on the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, click here.