The city of Owensboro is receiving $5 million for the construction of the new International Bluegrass Music Center project along the town’s riverfront.
The money comes from a partnership between the city and state announced Wednesday by Governor Steve Beshear and city leaders.
Owensboro has been providing matching funds for a federal allocation supporting the riverfront. Instead, the state Transportation Cabinet will invest available state matching funds for a portion of the city’s responsibility for that federal allocation.
The move allows Owensboro to invest $5 million of its own funds in the new International Bluegrass Music Center, completing the 15-million-dollar project.
Mayor Ron Payne says the new music center will be a jewel along the city’s riverfront.
“It will have an auditorium in the city and it is the intention of the bluegrass folks to broadcast a bluegrass opry out of there throughout the world," Payne said.
Payne says construction on the new bluegrass music center will begin this summer, with the opening scheduled for 2017.