KY lawmakers budget millions for new Lexington Children’s Museum, airport
State legislative leaders allocated more than $57 million to Lexington-area projects and programs including $5.8 million for a new Lexington Children’s Museum and $20 million to a regional industrial park.
The projects were included in House Bill 900, a sweeping $1.7 billion one-time spending bill that passed the Kentucky House and Senate on Wednesday, the last day the legislature can pass bills and still override a potential gubernatorial veto.
It now heads to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk.
The bill funded more than 300 projects and programs across Kentucky, including several Lexington organizations.
The Lexington Children’s Museum, formerly called the Explorium, received a total of $5.8 million to help build a new museum. The museum has been at 440 Short St. in The Square for decades. Over the past five years, the museum has undergone a revitalization with new staff and a strategic plan to help it grow its space and programs.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Kentucky General Assembly for this transformational investment,” said Colby Ernest, the executive director of the Lexington Children’s Museum. “This funding will support our plans to develop a new, reimagined Lexington Children’s Museum — an immersive, state-of-the-art space designed to serve children and families across the Commonwealth.”
Ernest said more details about the new museum will be released after more planning is completed and HB 900 becomes law.
“We are actively working with architectural and design partners to establish the full scope, budget, and exhibit experiences, and we look forward to sharing more details with the community soon,” Ernest said.
The Blue Grass Airport received $5 million to move its air traffic control tower, a project that also involves federal funding. In addition, the Lexington-area airport received $19,984,900 for a terminal expansion and remodel.
Blue Grass Airport officials said they would release more information about both projects in coming months.
“Now that this was approved, we plan to work through some planning details and make an announcement regarding these projects in the coming months,” said Lauren Simmerman, a spokeswoman for the Blue Grass Airport.
Blue Grass Airport’s expansion also means the Aviation Museum, which is on airport property, will have to find a new home. It was allocated $4 million under HB 900. It also received $4 million in 2024 from the General Assembly for a new location.
Also included in the one-time spending bill was $1.5 million for the Lexington Children’s Theatre, also on Short Street, for repairs and improvements.
“We purchased the building in 1998, and it is in need of a new roof, boiler, and HVAC system,” said Ashlee Collins, the development director for the theatre. “Outside of structural repairs, our lobby, exterior facade, education floor, board room, and classrooms will all be updated and splashed with new artwork. “ The money will also support the growth of the theatre’s touring company which visits schools and community centers across Kentucky.
“With the support of the Kentucky legislature, we can replace our current 2012 van and purchase an additional one, doubling our capacity to reach Kentuckians,” Collins said.
$20 million for multi-county park. $1.5 million for scholarships
Lexington, Madison and Scott counties created a new multi-county industrial park in Berea in late 2024.
That regional park, overseen by the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority, is located on about 180 acres in a Berea industrial park. Under HB 900, the new park would receive $20 million over a two-year period. The city of Lexington gave $2.1 million to help fund the creation of the park in 2024. As part of the interlocal agreement between the three counties and the city of Berea, Lexington would receive approximately 33% of any occupational taxes generated from new jobs that locate there.
Lexington city officials said the $20 million will go toward buying land for the new industrial park.
In addition, the House and Senate set aside $1.5 million for scholarships for the Ed Brown Society, a group that gives scholarships to students interested in equine-related jobs or degrees. Another $250,000 was allocated to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for a new job training program focusing on health care, manufacturing and other skilled trades aimed at helping Fayette County Public School middle school students.
No money for a performing arts center
Multiple Lexington-area groups approached House and Senate leaders for funding for a new performing arts center prior to the beginning of this year’s legislative session.
Funding for none of those proposals was included in HB 900.
Some of those proposed, competing plans included a $120 million, roughly 110,000-square-foot performing arts center for downtown, spearheaded by the Fund for Greater Lexington. Other proposals included a five-story, $100 million building on Midland Avenue would feature 20-25 rehearsal spaces for musicians, singers and dancers, along with a 300-400 seat theater, a smaller black box theater and office and other spaces.
Both groups had asked for state funding and did not receive it.
This story was originally published April 2, 2026 at 11:31 AM.
