Federal BUILD grant and $3.5M in state funds credited for Paducah riverfront finish

City officials and state legislators told attendees that the project was made possible by a mix of federal and state funding.

Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson recounted the city's grant efforts and said, "Paducah was awarded a $10,400,000 BUILD grant." Mayor George Bray and others said rising construction costs during the COVID-19 pandemic required additional funds and acknowledged the Kentucky legislature stepped in with an appropriation. Steven Rudy and others presented the state contribution at the ceremony; city remarks described the sum as an "additional $3,500,000 of funds."

Speakers repeatedly thanked federal and state officeholders and staff for their support. The transcript names Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative Chris Freeland, Representative Kim Holloway, and others as participants or represented offices; organizers also identified a representative from the governor's office, Alex Caudell, as in attendance.

The officials framed the funds as gap-closing resources needed after a protracted pause in construction and higher post-pandemic costs. No formal appropriation documents or contract amendments were discussed at the ceremony; the remarks were ceremonial and descriptive of funding sources rather than a debate about allocations.