SMITHS GROVE, Ky. — A south central Kentucky native and 82 year resident, Billy Wright, remembers when times here were different. 

“Our mode of travel has changed tremendously. When mother and daddy first bought their first farm when I was a baby, they traveled with a horse and wagon,” Glasgow Wright said.  

The lifelong career farmer is excited about a big change close to his hometown. 

“I haven’t seen one. I’ve heard about Buc-ee’s on TV and I’ve always wanted to go to a Buc-ee’s and now, God-willing, I’ll be here next year to see it.”

The thrill for a gas station may not excite everyone, but for some people, Buc-ee’s is not just a gas station. 

The travel center will be a massive 53-thousand square foot building offering 120 gas pumps off of I-65 in Smiths Grove, just north of Bowling Green. 

The $70 million investment will also bring in around 200 jobs. 

“Folks, what you’re getting ready to see here, you’re going to be proud of. You’re going to see a first class operation, operated by first-class people. A facility that will be built that will bring beauty to an already beautiful community,” said Rocky Adkins, the senior adviser to Gov. Andy Beshear.

The location is one of almost 50  Buc-ee’s locations across the Southeast.    

The first Kentucky location opened in 2022 in near Richmond.

“This is more than just a travel center. This is an experience. It really is, it’s an experience, it’s a destination that folks throughout America will enjoy,” Adkins said.