U.S.

Senator Mitch McConnell visited Northern Kentucky yesterday as he touted $18 million of federal funding for the region.

Our Emily Sisk was on the case and has more.

The projects benefiting from those.

Dollars.

Pick up the best communities, the best programs, and back.

Them up.

That's exactly what Senator Mitch McConnell was celebrating on Tuesday as he visited Northern Kentucky after securing $18 million of federal funding for the region.

One project receiving the federal money is the Covington Central Riverfront.

What was once an old IRS site is now being turned into a new riverfront neighborhood.

The Covington Central Riverfront project is a cornerstone of the city's long term redevelopment strategy.

We are transforming 23 acres of former vacant commercial land into a vibrant, mixed use neighborhood.

$4.5 million of federal funding will go to a land bridge at the site, with a parking garage and park for the community.

The CVG International Airport is also benefiting from the funds, as a taxiway and concourse will get a facelift.

These projects, as I mentioned, are so important to enhancing the airport environment, ensuring that CVG continues to serve as a vital gateway for our region and a key driver of economic activity.

The last recipient was the Life Learning Center, based in Covington.

The organization focuses on workforce development.

We teach individuals who are unemployed how to get a job and more in falling.

We teach them how to keep a job.

The other sites that we're going to be pursuing with the funding will be Morehead and Somerset and Bowling Green.

Along with these projects, Senator McConnell said one of his biggest focuses was ensuring funding was available for the Brant Spence Bridge, which connects northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.

A groundbreaking for that project is expected to happen later this spring.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm Emily Sisk.