Bowling Green seeks up to $712,500 from state program to recover Riverfront Park match

City staff told the Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 they will ask the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet for up to $712,500 to recoup part of the city’s earlier match for Riverfront Park construction.

City Manager Meisel credited the grants team and asked the commission to approve submitting an application to the state’s Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation program. Grants staff described the approach as recovering a portion of local match the city previously provided while moving forward on Phase 1. Assistant staff said the city posted the required application materials and that, if awarded, the funds would be applied back toward the Riverfront Park project budget.

Mayor and commissioners praised the grants team’s work locating a program that might return a significant share of prior local match. Staff said the city previously doubled its match to secure other funding and is now pursuing reimbursement where eligible; pre-construction activities for Phase 1 are already scheduled.

The commission voted to authorize submission of the application. Staff said final award decisions would be made by the state and that the city will proceed with Phase 1 construction while awaiting the outcome.

A separate, smaller application to the same state program was approved at the meeting to recover up to $104,500 in match for a sidewalk project on 3 Springs Road.

Next steps: Grants staff will complete and submit the state application and report back on award status and any required local match adjustments.