Richmond, KY— U.S. Congressman Andy Barr’s (KY-06) provision to conduct a feasibility study at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) is now law. Barr’s legislation was included as an amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was recently enacted into law.
In addition to its primary role managing and shipping conventional munitions, BGAD’s chemical demilitarization mission employs nearly 1,450 highly skilled, highly paid workers and has contributed more than $1 billion in local payroll since 2006. The feasibility study will assess potential missions, plants, or industries feasible for Army or the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) needs at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-destruction Pilot Plant following the completion of the chemical demilitarization mission at BGAD. This amendment requires the feasibility study to be completed and submitted to Congress no later than March 1, 2023.
“For over a decade, BGAD has housed an essential chemical demilitarization project in addition to being a significant part of Madison County’s economy. Kentuckians working at BGAD have served the DOD and our country well. This feasibility study will accelerate the process of examining ways the facility could transition to other key projects that would benefit the DOD or the federal government once the demilitarization project has concluded,” said Congressman Barr.
“The Bluegrass Army Depot, and all of its operations, is an important part of Madison County and I am appreciative of Congressman Barr’s championing this amendment in the NDAA to prepare for a post-CSEPP Madison County. Our team in Madison County has also been preparing for this, and this feasibility study will be a boost for our efforts and help us continue to prepare for the future,” said Reagan Taylor, Judge Executive of Madison County.
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