Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
From left to right: Bourbon County Judge Executive Mike Williams, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr, Kentucky State Representative Matt Koch, and Kentucky State Senator Steve West.
Paris, KY— U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the Paris-Bourbon County Economic Development Authority in Paris, Kentucky is receiving a $2.3 million federal grant for roadway infrastructure improvements to accommodate the expansion of the Paris-Bourbon County Industrial Park. Congressman Barr and Senator McConnell made the announcement today at an event at Mustard Seed Hill.
This federal grant was distributed through the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA), with funding made available through the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that Congressman Barr voted for and Senator McConnell guided through the U.S. Senate as Senate Majority Leader in March of 2020. Congressman Barr and Senator McConnell also contacted EDA to advocate for the Paris-Bourbon County Economic Development Authority to receive this grant award when they applied for the CARES Act funds.
“When I spearheaded the passage of the bipartisan CARES Act last year, developments like this one at the Paris-Bourbon County Industrial Park were just the kinds of projects I had in mind. Today, I was thrilled to join Congressman Barr to announce federal funding for this important infrastructure improvement and demonstrate the success of our efforts,” said Senator McConnell. “By supporting development and business growth in the Bluegrass, we will turbocharge the Commonwealth’s economic recovery with new jobs, businesses, and opportunities. Kentucky’s manufacturers are the backbone of our economy and I am proud to work with Kentucky’s other leaders to ensure they have the high-quality infrastructure needed to succeed.”
“Enhancing capacity for freight traveling to the Paris-Bourbon County Industrial Park will strengthen small businesses and manufacturing in the area for generations to come,” said Congressman Barr. “I was proud to support this project and pleased that the emergency relief that Senator McConnell and I voted for at the height of the pandemic will finish this important project.”
“I want to thank both Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr for their leadership in helping to bring this grant home to Bourbon County. This project is key to our economic recovery from the pandemic and will create jobs and economic growth in the years ahead,” said Gordon Wilson, Paris-Bourbon County Economic Development Authority Executive Director.
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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