The Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program is an opportunity for Appalachian communities to achieve economic and community development goals in areas that have been impacted by the downturn of coal production. Specifically, AMLER funds may be utilized to design, develop, and create projects, which encourage economic development. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 enacted AMLER, formerly known as the Pilot Program. Initially, $30 million of US Treasury funds were awarded to three Appalachian state AML Programs that had the highest amount of unfunded classified Priority 1 and Priority 2 coal-related abandoned mine land hazards. Kentucky AML has established a grant process using OSMRE guidance to distribute funds.
2026 AMLER Application
In anticipation of potential funding for the 2026 grant year, the AMLER application period is now live. Applications may be submitted from now, until May 11, 2026, 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. The application, along with a self-paced webinar, and a PDF copy of the webinar, will be available soon.
Application Information
2026 AMLER Application
2026 AMLER Printable Flyer
2026 Application Assistance Sign-ups - Schedule virtual or in-person assistance from AML staff on the following dates and locations:
- March 19 - 100 Bulldog Lane, Suite 103, Hazard
- March 26 - 85 State Police Rd, London
- April 9 - 3140 S Lake Drive, Suite 6, Prestonsburg
- April 16 - 625 Hospital Dr, Madisonville
2026 AMLER Application Overview - Video Link - coming soon!
2026 AMLER Application Overview PDF - coming soon!
AMLER FAQs
AMLER Program Grant Process
AMLER Program Terms
Kentucky Coalfield Counties Map
AMLER Project Dashboard
Visit the AMLER Project Interactive Dashboard to learn more about funded grant projects across the Commonwealth.
Amler Search Tool - Nexus Research Map
Instructions for using the Nexus Research Map
Area Development Districts
- FIVCO Area Development District (Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence Counties)
- Gateway Area Development District (Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan Counties)
- Kentucky River Area Development District (Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, and Wolfe Counties)
- Big Sandy Area Development District (Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike Counties)
- Lake Cumberland Area Development District (Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne Counties)
- Cumberland Valley Area Development District (Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley Counties)
Supporting Information
- KY Model Procurement (KRS Chapter 45A) - The Model Procurement Code is designed to increase public confidence in public procurement; provide increased economy in procurement by fostering effective competition; provide safeguards and integrity in the procurement system; simplify, clarify and modernize the law governing purchasing; and permit continued development of purchasing policies and procedures.
- 2025 OSMRE AMLER Guidance - Guidance for project eligibility under the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program for fiscal year 2025.
- Real Property Purchase Guidelines - Real property purchase guidelines for AMLER projects
- Equipment Guidance - Equipment guidance for AMLER projects
- Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) - The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is a bureau within the United States Department of the Interior. OSMRE is responsible for establishing a nationwide program to protect society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal mining operations, under which OSMRE is charged with balancing the nation’s need for continued domestic coal production with protection of the environment.
- OSMRE 2016 - 2019 AMLER Report - As of November 30, 2019, the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Economic Development Pilot Program (AML Pilot) has been authorized by Congress for four fiscal years with the purpose of reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with economic and community development and reuse goals.
Previous Recipients of AMLER Program Grants
• Phase I— $2,500,000: Interior renovation for the training program to certify students as National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machinists.
• Phase II—$1,000,000: Exterior grounds improvements of the eKAMI facility to correct drainage issues and to improve access and parking.
- Known as "The Prestonsburg Passage"
- $1,950,000
- The rails to trails project consisted of the conversion of a 11.4 mile abandoned railroad track into an asphalt-paved hiking, biking, walking, horseback riding trail, to include several bridges at creek crossings, that leads from the City of Prestonsburg to the City of David in Floyd County.
• Known as the Mettu Children's Hospital
• $4.78 Million
• The project proposed to implement/construct the Pikeville Medical Center's (PMC) Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Clinic to be established within the footprint of the existing PMC/hospital campus. AMLER funds were used for needed renovations of approximately 13,420 sq.ft. of the total designated square footage for the new facility.
• Offer Regional Pediatric Services for a 23 County Area.
Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park - KEIP
- $6 Million
- AMLER funding was used to design and construct a one-story approximate 50,000 square foot industrial speculative building at the Kentucky Enterprise Industrial Park at the City of Pikeville.
- To be occupied by Wright Concrete