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LIHEAP Funds Running Out for Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky's energy assistance program for low-income families, or LIHEAP, has almost exhausted its yearly funding allowance. West Kentucky Allied Services administers the region's program. LIHEAP grant director Tony Dowty says they’re working with much less money than previous years. He says,

“Last year the agency itself received $1,420,000 for assistance for all eight counties, and this year the fundings been cut to only $844,000.”

Dowty says they only have about 10 to 12 more days worth of funds to dole out. He says last year they also received contingency funding from Community Action Kentucky, which allowed them to extend funding through the end of March. Dowty says budget cuts for federal programs like LIHEAP means those contingency funds won’t be there this year.

Shelly Baskin works in MSU's Office of Regional Outreach and is a graduate student in Occupational Safety and Health. A roustabout from Memphis, Tennessee, Shelly first found his way into WKMS through the newsroom back in 2011 through luck, charm and force of will. Though he left news for another position, he still enjoys working on independent radio projects and volunteering for the station. He’s an avid disc golfer and occasional real golfer and is terrible at both. A lover of all things musical, Shelly is always ready to hear something new and unique.
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