EKY HERITAGE FOUNDATION RECEIVES $4.5 MILLION TO BUILD LODGE AT RAVEN ROCK RESORT

U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers and Governor Andy Beshear announced the awarding of $4.5 million in federal funding to EKY Heritage Foundation, Inc. at the annual SOAR Summit in Corbin Wednesday afternoon. The allocation from the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program will be instrumental in developing Raven Rock Resort in Jenkins.

Pictured (L-R): Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Letcher County Judge/Executive Terry Adams, Jenkins Mayor Todd DePriest, Pine Mtn Partnership (EKY Heritage Foundation) Executive Director Jeffery Justice, Letcher County Tourism Director Lee Adams.

“The funding will be used for site preparation and construction of an 8,000-square-foot lodge/restaurant and an observatory deck overlooking the Appalachian Mountains,” said Missy Matthews, president of EKY Heritage Foundation, Inc. "We are excited for the opportunity to showcase the natural beauty and view that this property gives us."

The 833 acres purchased from Pike Elkhorn in 2021 includes Raven Rock, the old Pine Mountain Tunnel and a large portion of the viewshed of Pine Mountain Trail.

The foundation has also received $4.2 million for Raven Rock trail development including $2.5 million in FY 2023 Community Project Funding (CPF) and $1.7 million in 2022 AMLER funding. Last year’s AMLER allocation will be used for general construction, parking lot paving, access road improvements, trail signage and soft surface hiking and mountain biking trails on the Raven Rock property.