West Point mayor updates Hardin County on Ohio River regional recreation authority

Mayor Cerise of West Point told the Hardin County Fiscal Court on July 22 that the newly formed Kentucky Ohio River Regional Recreation Authority, known as CORA, is moving forward and will seek state and federal funding to develop recreational trails and riverfront access.

CORA was created by House Bill 7 12 and is modeled after the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreational Authority (KMRRA), Cerise said. The authority’s purpose is to "establish, maintain, promote a recreational trail system" and increase economic development, tourism and outdoor recreation across participating counties, he said.

Cerise said CORA will seek funding in the coming state budget to hire an executive director and will apply for a $1,000,000 appropriation from the legislature. He said the authority can also charge fees, establish a sinking fund and pursue grants to finance construction and maintenance of recreational facilities on public and private land.

"We will be applying for $1,000,000 in funding from the state legislature," Cerise said. He described CORA as providing a larger voice in Frankfort and as potentially allowing small riverfront communities to access engineering and development resources available to larger cities.

Cerise noted that Hardin County’s role in CORA stems from its 2.9-mile shoreline on the Ohio River in West Point and said the county joined CORA by Resolution 2024-144. He said the regional authority can assume liability on behalf of private landowners, which makes landowners more willing to allow trail access because they are covered by the authority’s insurance.

Cerise also highlighted that the Ohio River Way — which runs from Ashland to West Point and was recently designated a national water trail by the National Park Service — increases eligibility for federal funding. That designation covers about 308 miles across three states, he said, and could support new recreational sites, improved river access, trail tourism and water-quality work.

Cerise framed the benefits as primarily increased tourism and potential private investment in the northern part of the county, and as a way for West Point to participate in larger regional projects without shouldering large local costs.

Hardin County Judge (presiding) introduced the item and thanked Cerise for the update; Cerise invited questions from the court at the end of his presentation.

Next steps described by Cerise include CORA pursuing state appropriations, hiring staff, applying for federal funding available to national water trails and seeking partnerships for trails and riverfront access.