McConnell says transportation is a bipartisan issue at Bourbon County ribbon cutting

PARIS, Ky. — U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Congressman Andy Barr underscored the importance of bipartisan support for infrastructure during a ribbon-cutting event at the Paris-Bourbon County Industrial Park on Wednesday. The event celebrated the completion of a new roadway linking the industrial park to the local bypass, made possible by a $2.3 million federal grant awarded in 2021 through the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA). The funding, which was part of the CARES Act, aims to support economic recovery and growth in the region.

McConnell, who spearheaded the passage of the CARES Act as Senate Majority Leader in 2020, emphasized the need for collaboration across party lines when it comes to essential infrastructure projects.

“Transportation is absolutely critical. It ought to be a bipartisan issue,” McConnell said, addressing the crowd. “Republicans and Democrats are for it, so why don’t we work together and do what we can do.” He cited the bipartisan federal transportation infrastructure bill, which will add $4 billion in infrastructure improvements across Kentucky, as an example of cooperation during a time often marked by political division.

The new connector road will open a second entrance to the industrial park, improving access for commercial traffic and emergency vehicles. Officials say the road will reduce congestion, facilitate freight movement, and unlock future opportunities for business expansion.

Congressman Barr spoke to the local impact of the project and recognized the support from the community, including the land donation that made the roadway possible.

“This new connector road will provide essential access… unlocking new opportunity for economic development in the region by improving access to our industrial hub,” Barr said, thanking local stakeholders for their support. “This project will have a force multiplier, attracting private capital into this industrial park… The taxpayers of Bourbon County work hard, and we want a return on the investment of public dollars going into this project.”

Local officials, including Bourbon County Judge Executive Mike Williams, joined McConnell and Barr to commemorate the project, which is expected to create nearly 300 new jobs, retain 147 existing positions, and draw an estimated $214 million in private investment. Williams highlighted how significant the project is for the area’s growth and the broader community.

“In some communities, opening a road from the bypass to the industrial park may seem like a trivial thing,” Williams said. “In Bourbon County, it’s a big deal without question.”

The ribbon-cutting event represents more than an infrastructure upgrade; it marks a step toward sustained economic growth for Paris and Bourbon County. Congressman Barr praised the collaboration that made the development possible, crediting the project as an example of effective local and federal partnerships.

“Today’s celebration shows what we can achieve when we come together as a community,” Barr concluded, expressing optimism for the project’s long-term impact. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this project as it unfolds in the coming months and years.”

As the new roadway opens, officials anticipate that the improved infrastructure will strengthen the industrial park’s role as an economic hub for the area, fostering business growth and generating lasting benefits for Bourbon County.