New roadway expansion in Paris

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – It was a memorable day in Paris as U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell came out to help cut the ribbon on a brand new piece of roadway.

Congressman Andy Barr, as well as local officials and community leaders were also there.

In 2021, the Paris-Bourbon County Economic Development Authority was awarded $2.3 million in federal funding for roadway improvements for the expansion of the Paris-Bourbon County industrial park

Bourbon County Judge Executive Mike Williams, thanking the family that donated land so the project could take place and talking about expansions like this in their community.

“In some communities, opening a road from the bypass to the industrial park may seem like a trivial thing,” said Williams. “Some communities might see that all the time, in Bourbon County it’s a big deal without question. This is not only on behalf of all of the folks that work here in the industrial park, but certainly the businesses that are responsible for the truck traffic coming in and out of the park.”

The industrial park originally had one entrance and now, there will be two.

Senator McConnell, spoke about the benefits of development.

“There are always things worth doing that ought to be done on a bipartisan bases,” said McConnell. “I think transportation is one of those issues. Republicans are for it, Democrats are for it so why don’t we work together and do what we can do.”

Officials say more jobs will come with this new development.