BEREA, Ky. — Officials from Lexington, Fayette, Madison and Scott counties and the city of Berea broke ground Thursday on the Triple Crown Business Park, the first public, multi-county economic development project in Central Kentucky.

The 300-acre park, located within Menelaus Industrial Park in Berea, represents an unprecedented regional collaboration. Mayor Linda Gorton of Lexington, Scott County Judge-Executive Joe Pat Covington, Madison County Judge-Executive Reagan Taylor, and Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley presided over the ceremony, joined by state and federal representatives including Senior Advisor to Governor Andy Beshear Rocky Adkins.

The four governments established the Central Kentucky Business Park Authority to purchase and manage the park. After Berea receives a 10% hosting fee, each of the three counties will receive 33% of the tax revenues generated by the development. The partnership will feature 14 lots for businesses.

"This is an exciting day," Gorton said. "When Central Kentucky's economy is strengthened, we all benefit. We are opening doors to economic opportunity for hundreds of Central Kentucky residents, and providing new tax revenue that will allow governments to make improvements."

Congressman Andy Barr secured $2 million in federal funding for the project through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations process. Construction on park infrastructure is expected to begin in the fall.

The groundbreaking culminates more than 20 months of negotiations among regional leaders to establish the authority. Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley noted the significance of the collaboration, saying officials from the four communities recognize that county lines "should not be dividing lines, but must be open doors for collaboration and partnership as we develop the regional economy of the future."

Economic experts say the park addresses a critical need in Central Kentucky's business recruitment efforts. According to development consultant Lucas Witt, companies expanding or relocating require build-ready infrastructure, making sites with installed utilities and transportation access essential for attracting employers and creating jobs.

The project is expected to generate approximately 1,400 jobs with an average wage of around $38 per hour at full build-out, according to regional projections.