Independence Bank President Bob Fitch said he’s confident southcentral Kentucky’s economy is turning around, and his bank wants to be part of that.

Fitch said the bank will construct a new building at 1950 Scottsville Road, near where one of its current facilities is located.

Plans for the new building were unveiled this morning at a news conference at the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. The 12,000-square-foot building will be a replica of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The two-story brick building will feature a cupola and a dome that will be lighted in the evening.

Independence Bank has four branches in Bowling Green, with its home base in Owensboro. It has 20 locations in seven counties in western Kentucky.

Fitch said Independence Bank has 27 employees in Warren County, a number that could grow with construction of the new facility. The bank first opened a location in Warren County six years ago and has experienced continuous growth.

“In these tough economic times, it is very important to create local jobs in a time when jobs are really needed,” bank CEO Chris Reid said in a news release. “Independence Bank believes in doing business with those who do business with us, and Warren County will greatly benefit from this investment. This is a great opportunity for both Bowling Green and Independence Bank.”

The facility will have a community room and a lobby that will feature displays related to Warren County history. There also will be stained-glass ceilings, open glass offices and original artwork commissioned by Time magazine’s official Sept. 11 artist, Peter O’Neill. O’Neill has completed a series on “Virtues” for this signature collection. Construction will begin this fall, with drawings and specifications being finalized soon before the project is put out for bids, according to Fitch.

No cost estimate is available on the facility, which is expected to be complete in fall 2011, at which time there will be a large grand opening celebration and concert.

A bank news release said country music artists Martina McBride and Tracy Lawrence were featured in a 2004 concert when it opened a new facility in Owensboro.

Independence Bank also will be building two similar facilities in Paducah and Henderson.

Ray Lackey, executive director of Operation P.R.I.D.E. and a board member at Independence Bank, said the facility will provide a landmark for the Scottsville Road area and an opportunity for more beautification.

Lackey said Independence has agreed to become a Partner with P.R.I.D.E. to help beautify the median in nearby Gary Farms.

He will make a presentation to the Bowling Green City Commission on Oct. 5 about P.R.I.D.E.’s plans to take over the planting and maintenance of the median, which now is weedy. Independence Bank will help pay for that.

Listed eighth in the nation among top-performing community banks, according to the American Bankers Association, Independence Bank has $967 million in assets with its locations in Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, McCracken, Warren and Webster counties.