The $12 million expansion of Village Manor will have an economic impact of $84 million over the next 10 years, according to D. Gaines Penn, chairman of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This project is going to a do a lot of good things for the community,” Penn said today at a groundbreaking event at 1800 Westen Ave.

Penn, as well as other speakers, noted how important such facilities become in the minds of people as they hit age 50.

But in addition to the importance of the comfort the new facility will bring to 50-somethings in the region is the economic impact the project will have on the whole community, Penn said.

Penn said the project will mean jobs for 75 to 80 construction workers over the next year and 50 to 55 new jobs for Village Manor, with an annual additional payroll of $3.1 million. Those jobs will create an additional 81 spin-off jobs over the next 10 years, bringing the total estimated impact of the project to $84 million.

Christian Care Communities is adding nearly 70,000 square feet to accommodate six neighborhood areas for current and new residents to age in place. It is adding assisted-living rooms, rehabilitation rooms and rooms for residents who need memory care. The facility will continue with the family concept already experienced by residents in their senior apartments.

Resident Council President Hugo Becker, a former Fruit of the Loom Vice President, said the expansion means the facility will continue to serve the community for the next 100 years.

“This is home,” Becker said. “I’m proud that we will be on the cutting edge of advances in complete care.”

Becker drew laughs when he said those headed into their golden years appreciate such things. But then he corrected himself: “The only thing golden is urine.”

Mayor Bruce Wilkerson said he was excited about the project and the jobs that it will bring, but also on a more personal level, because “you put your faith into action.”

Wilkerson said that the Bible says people should not live in isolation.

“God wants community for us,” he said.

Magistrate Darrell Traughber said the investment in the project indicates how Christian Care feels about the community.

U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, was among the 125 people, aside from residents, who attended today’s ceremonial groundbreaking.

Christian Care CEO Keith Knapp said Guthrie’s office helped the company work its way through the process of getting a USDA loan guarantee for nearly all financing.

“Our office really didn’t do much,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie said there are many things that the government can do better, but it already does well when it works with the private sector and faith-based organizations, such as USDA’s loan guarantee program does.

“The project really sold itself,” he said.

Knapp said construction on the project is expected to begin within 30 days and should take about a year. A future project where patio homes might be built on the property is dependent on financing.