A $5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency will help redevelop the non-operational CSX Ravenna Rail Yard in Estill County. The project will transform the non-operational railyard into a community greenspace called “The Yard.” It will include a music venue, campgrounds, jogging trails, a museum and a renovated steam engine repair shop. Estill County Judge Executive Donnie Watson says the rail yard is important to the county’s history. “Shipping by rail was a great big thing here in Estill County. At one time coal came down every day, several train loads of coal,” Watson said. “And I know it’ll never go back to that, but it could be used for a lot of other things.” It’s being spearheaded by the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, which bought the railyard in 2018. They’re also working to restore a historic train housed there back to operation. Development of The Yard is expected to bring 15 to 30 jobs to Estill County. ** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation. The post EPA grant to help progress Estill County railyard redevelopment project appeared first on The Lexington Times.