BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear joined federal, state and local leaders on Wednesday to break ground on the $50 million Bowling Green Veterans Center in Warren County.

The massive investment will create 120 jobs and serve as the state's fifth long-term skilled nursing care facility, according to the Governor's office. The 80,000-square-foot space features 60 beds on 25 acres of land at the Kentucky Transpark.

It's been a process over 10 years in the making, Beshear said.

“Our veterans are heroes to all Kentuckians, and I could not be more excited to get this project underway,” Beshear said. “I believe that access to high-quality health care is a basic human right. But when we’re talking about our veterans, it is so much more than that."

Beshear added that Kentucky's veterans have accomplished "nothing short of a sacred duty" and they deserve nothing but the best possible care.

The new center will utilize state-of-the-art equipment, physical therapy and recreational activities, according to a news release. 

“The Commonwealth of Kentucky has a rich history of supporting the men and women in the Armed Forces,” Senator Rand Paul said at the groundbreaking. “We owe it to those who have served in combat to provide them with quality care sustained in defense of this nation and provide the necessary support tools as they adjust back to civilian life."

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott expressed his gratefulness for Kentucky veterans during the groundbreaking ceremony.

“I am grateful to our veterans and elected leaders with the vision to advocate for a veterans nursing home here in Bowling Green, Kentucky,” Alcott said. "It’s humbling to live in a community that serves our nation’s heroes in this way.”