Agreement reached for funding of road into industrial park

October 16, 2018

Bowling Green City Commissioners approved a memorandum of agreement Tuesday with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to authorize $730,000 of state funding for the design, right-of-way, and utility phases for the Southwest Parkway from Russellville Road to Kobe Way in the South Central Kentucky Industrial Park.

The project is intended to relieve commercial traffic on existing local roadways as business growth continues within the park, according to a release from the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

The industrial park supports almost 3,900 jobs currently, an increase from the 3,400 jobs in 2017 when the advocacy for the project began. This equates to an economic impact of over $10 billion to the local economy over the next decade.

"We want to thank the companies located in the park for choosing to make their South Central Kentucky their home," said Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ron Bunch. "It is because of them that Bowling Green and Warren County continue to experience success through economic development and this new road will allow for continued growth in the park. I would like to thank the City of Bowling Green and Warren County for their work in making this project a reality."

Direct access to the industrial park via Russellville Road in southern Warren County will allow shorter commute times and more efficient travel to companies within the park.

"I am so appreciative of the companies that have chosen to make the South Central Industrial Park home and provide our citizens opportunities to support their families," said Mayor Bruce Wilkerson in the release. "I would like to thank Joe Plunk with the Kentucky Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for their help in bringing this project to our area."

"It’s always exciting to see transportation developments throughout Warren County," said Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon said in the release. "I’d like to thank Senator Wilson, Representative DeCesare and Representative Richards for their vision and support in earmarking the state funding to support this project.”