Harlan County projects will receive approximately $6.3 million in coal severance funds over the next two years in a plan approved recently by the Kentucky House of Representatives.

The project will now have to clear the Senate, but local representatives don't anticipate many changes.

"I've been told the Senate usually doesn't do a whole to these," state Rep. Leslie Combs said.

The list, as usual, including several water and sewage projects.

"I believe water and sewer in our mountain counties is still a big priority. I think the judge(-executive), (fiscal) court and legislators would all agree on that," said Combs. "When you look at this, that's quite a bit of what you see."

State Rep. Rick Nelson said he met with Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop three weeks ago about the coal severance funds.

"He had a list, and most of the projects you see on that list came from his list," Nelson said. "He had a list with 20 things on it."

Nelson said one of the projects that didn't make the final cut was an aquatic center at a cost of $2 million. The center was originally planned for the new Harlan County High School, but Nelson and Combs said it may instead be located near the Harlan Center if funding becomes available.

"This has been the smoothest process we've had," Nelson said. "Basically, we had 20 items, and I think 18 of those items are on the list."

Combs said she liked the balance of the Harlan County list, with all five magisterial districts represented.

"I thought Harlan County worked out very well. We had good discussions with Joe (Grieshop). He sat down and worked with us," Combs said. "In my opinion, it separated out pretty well and is covering the county pretty well.

"What I was pleased to hear, since I'm new to the process, that my magistrate was thrilled. We got quite a bit of what he asked for, and several of the others did as well."

Nelson agreed, noting that the judge-executive, mayors and magistrates from Harlan County had input in the plan.

"My personal opinion is, considering all the factors, it was pretty well balanced," he said.

Nelson said legislators also bonded an additional $1.3 million out of multi-county funds for additional water projects.

Projects in the two-year plan include:

-- $200,000 for a water line extension to Holmes Mill;

-- $50,000 for the Blair Community Park construction and improvements;

-- $250,000 for a water line extension to Holmes Mill and Wallins Creek;

-- $40,000 to the Boys and Girls club for land, building and equipment;

-- $50,000 for the Bobs Creek water project;

-- $50,000 each to the cities of Benham and Loyall for improvements, repairs and equipment;

-- $75,000 each to the cities of Cumberland, Evarts, Harlan and Lynch for improvements, repairs and equipment;

-- $100,000 to be used for county fire departments;

-- $70,000 to the Cumberland Senior Citizens Center

-- $50,000 to the Cumberland Tourist Commission;

-- $10,000 to the Evarts Tourism Commission;

-- $150,000 for the extension of water lines in the Green Hills Water District;

-- $50,000 to the Green Hills Community Center;

-- $10,000 for the Harlan County Cooperative Extension Service 4-H project;

-- $25,000 for the Harlan County Schools 21st Century Alternative Instruction project;

-- $25,000 for the Harlan Independent Schools 21st Century Alternative Instruction project;

-- $50,000 to the Harlan County Sheriff's Department;

-- $50,000 to the Harlan Tourism Commission;

-- $15,000 to the Harlan Public Library;

-- $50,000 to the Harlan Senior Citizens Center;

-- $75,000 to The Laurels for improvements and debt service;

-- $300,000 for improvements to the old court-house building;

-- $50,000 to the rescue squads;

-- $450,000 to the Tri-City area for sewer and water improvements and expansions;

-- $60,000 to be used for lights at the Tri-City Little League field;

-- $25,000 to the Wallins Fellowship Center;