A long-awaited water infrastructure project is finally moving forward in McLean County, as Gov. Andy Beshear announced a $1.25 million commitment to help fund a new water storage tank and more than 5,000 feet of waterline in the Beech Grove area.
The new tank will hold up to 250,000 gallons and is expected to improve water pressure, reliability, and emergency preparedness for at least 591 households.
“This news is very welcome the day before Thanksgiving,” said McLean County Judge-Executive Curtis Dame. “The ability to have access to a dependable water supply is a basic need of all of our citizens, one that the McLean County Fiscal Court continues to strengthen through cooperative efforts.”
Dame said the project has been decades in the making, and a top priority since the start of his first term in 2019. He said the Beech Grove Water Association had long struggled with limited water storage and pressure, and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority had flagged the situation as problematic.
“This is not a new need. It’s been on the radar for over 20 years,” Dame said. “But because of the multi-million-dollar price tag, it’s taken creativity, partnerships, and persistence to pull all the pieces together in a way that doesn’t saddle the next generation with debt.”
Beech Grove, while not an incorporated city, operates a Public Service Commission-regulated water association — one of just nine in the state, according to Dame. Its service area includes a high concentration of poultry production and agricultural operations, which Dame said contributed to the project’s high priority status.
In addition to households, he said the upgraded system could indirectly benefit customers in neighboring Daviess County, as the Beech Grove system reaches across county lines.
Dame credited the Green River Area Development District (GRADD) for helping him secure and align multiple funding sources. The state funding is the second major allocation, following an earlier $1 million in Community Project Funding secured with support from Congressman Brett Guthrie’s office.
Altogether, the project is expected to cost between $2.7 million and $3 million. The new tank will be located on one of the highest elevations in the county and serve as a vital link for future interconnects between regional water systems.
“My goal is to complete this project without any debt to the county or to Beech Grove Water,” Dame said. “We don’t get to say that often, but with the support of our partners, I believe it’s possible.”
Once completed, the new tank could also help move Beech Grove toward eventual integration with the regional water plant, improving long-term stability. Dame emphasized the importance of infrastructure investment in attracting and retaining residents.
“When someone is thinking about building a house or moving here, they assume water will be there,” he said. “But in rural counties, that’s not a guarantee. Projects like this ensure McLean County is ready to support its citizens, and even help our neighbors, well into the future.”
