The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Kentucky TriModal Transpark on Monday, August 25, 2003. Federal, state and regional elected officials, local dignitaries and approximately 1,000 attendees were present for this historic event.

“We’ve worked hard for this for several years and we’ve finally gotten to the day when we see it come to fruition,” Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon told a crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We’ve enjoyed a tremendous partnership with a lot of people throughout the region, and our partnership is continuing to grow.”

Mayor Sandy Jones echoed his sentiment. “I’d like to thank the city commissioners, the magistrates, the legislators, and Judge Buchanon for helping make this happen,” Jones said. “They had the courage to do not what was popular or most politically comfortable, but what was needed for Bowling Green and Warren County.”

U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., and Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Bowling Green, were also on hand at the groundbreaking ceremony. Both Congressmen endorsed the project enthusiastically, and Bunning presented a check for $1.7 million in federal funding for the design and construction of interior roads at the Transpark site and an eventual link to Interstate 65, which runs just two miles from the site.

“I’m confident that the Transpark will serve as a new economic engine not only for this area but for all of Kentucky,” Bunning said. “It will be a model for other areas across this country to follow and also across this state.”

State House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, who helped secure the original $6 million appropriation for the project, said the Transpark will allow Bowling Green and southcentral Kentucky to compete for high-tech, high-paying jobs with other communities throughout the southeast. “By the time this project is fully developed, it won’t be just another industrial park,” he said. “It will be an economic engine of its own tailored for the 21st century. The Transpark will benefit the entire region with quality high-paying jobs created here and will further enrich the quality of life to add to our strong foundation.”

“We can never let any time go by without making sure we are securing our future,” said Congressman Ron Lewis. “I want to congratulate the voters of this region for electing leaders who have the vision to do that,” Lewis said.

“Western Kentucky University has indeed accepted the challenge to be a primary driver in economic development in this region. The ITA project has a potential to rival Western as an economic stimulus for this region,” said WKU President Dr. Gary Ransdell. “These are the kinds of partnerships we seek and we encourage at Western.