Hundreds of community members gathered at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Richmond, Kentucky, May 29 to celebrate the impending start of chemical weapons destruction in Kentucky.

“This was an outstanding event, and this is a really big achievement for Madison County,” said Sarah Durham, resident, Madison County. “I’m new to the community and it is great to see that there is a clear and definite plan for the destruction of these weapons.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Governor of Kentucky Matt Bevin addressed the capacity crowd, as well as Department of Defense and Bechtel National officials.

“So today is much more than a ribbon cutting. It’s getting one step closer to fulfilling the Army’s promise to the people of Madison County,” McConnell said. “I offer my sincere thanks to the operators, technicians, maintenance staff, construction workers and the many others whose stewardship of this dangerous stockpile has helped us avoid disaster.”

The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant plans to start processing mustard-agent projectiles in the Static Detonation Chamber within the next few weeks. The main plant is currently scheduled to begin processing nerve-agent projectiles in late 2019.