Paris, KY – U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Paris-Bourbon County Economic Development Authority in Paris, Kentucky will receive $2.3 million in recovery assistance for roadway infrastructure improvements to accommodate the expansion of the Paris-Bourbon County Industrial Park. The federal funding, distributed by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), was made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senator McConnell introduced the bipartisan CARES Act in the Senate and led its enactment in about a week. Congressman Barr and Senator McConnell also contacted EDA in support of their constituents’ competitive grant application.
“Expanding access for freight traveling to the Paris-Bourbon County Industrial Park will be a boost for small businesses and manufacturing in the area for decades to come. That is why I supported this grant through a letter of support to the U.S. Department of Commerce,” said Congressman Barr. “I am pleased that CARES Act funds Senator McConnell and I voted for will power this project to completion.”
“Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region is a prime location for industrial development and economic diversification. This roadway expansion program will help pave the way for Paris to become a manufacturing powerhouse, strengthening the Commonwealth’s recovery,” said Senator McConnell. “This past year has been especially challenging for small businesses and frontline industrial workers. I’m proud to have spearheaded the passage of the CARES Act, with Congressman Barr’s support, to assist local manufacturers and provide much-needed infrastructure improvements for job creators in Bourbon County.”
“This is a great day for Bourbon County and the continued growth of economic opportunities for all our citizens. It’s a great day for our business residents of the park and their efforts to expand and grow their presence in Bourbon County. The impact to our community will be very positive and the benefits will be realized for generations to come,” said Bourbon County Judge-Executive Mike Williams. “We are very thankful to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and her entire team for considering our community’s application and recognizing the impact of the award in retaining and creating jobs for Bourbon County. The Fiscal Court is appreciative of the efforts of Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman Andy Barr and their staffs for advocating for our citizens and our future. Thank you to the local EDA leadership team, Chairman Matt Koch and Executive Director Gordon Wilson and our partners at the Bluegrass Area Development District for working tirelessly to bring all the right resources together to facilitate this dream coming true.”
"Paris and Bourbon County will reap immediate rewards from the allocation of these CARES Act dollars. I look forward to seeing the project's positive long-term economic impact on our region and the entire Commonwealth,” said Kentucky State Senator Stephen West. “I want to thank everyone involved in this process. To get here, it required hard work and collaboration of members of our federal delegation, including Leader McConnell and Congressman Barr. The project is in good hands with the Paris-Bourbon County Economic Development Authority."
“This is tremendously good news for our community. This allocation will improve our economic development efforts and the quality of life for those who travel these roads to work and home,” said Kentucky State Representative Matt Koch. “I’m glad to see Bourbon County receive these funds, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will have a positive impact for generations. I would like to thank Leader McConnell and Congressman Barr for their continued support of Bourbon County.”
“We are excited to hear from Congressman Barr's and Senator McConnell’s offices that grant funds were secured from the CARES Act to help the Paris-Bourbon County Economic Development Authority construct a secondary entrance into our Industrial Park,” said Paris-Bourbon County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lauren Biddle. “This will help Bourbon County continue with steady growth by offering easier access to this important development for many years to come.”
“I would like to show gratitude to Senator Mitch McConnell and Representative Andy Barr for their combined efforts to make the proposed Connector Road in the Paris-Bourbon County Industrial Park a reality,” said Paris/Bourbon County EDA Executive Director Gordon Wilson. “As a result of this project becoming a reality it will create a means of important additional access to our Industrial Park which will facilitate additional new jobs along with the potential for expansion of the Industrial Park by increasing land availability with the design and construction of the proposed Connector Road. This project will also provide the much-needed infrastructure for expansion of water and waste waters systems to our industrial park.”
According to EDA, this development program is expected to create 296 jobs, retain 147 jobs, and generate $214 million in private investment.
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