US Representative Hal Rogers joined state and local leaders on Tuesday, August 8 for a ground breaking ceremony to extend water lines to the Jackson Weather service. The nearly $300,000 project will provide running water to the Jackson Weather Service for the first time since it was established nearly 40 years ago. Rogers said the employees deserve this basic resource as they have helped protect people from flash flooding, tornadoes and other severe weather events. The Appalachian Regional Commisssion awarded $215,000 for the project, and the Jackson Weather Service invested $75,000, alongside the Breathitt County Fiscal Court. Rogers said that the ARC’s involvement in this, along with other projects, is why he continues to fight to protect it proposed elimination in the President’s budget.