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Operation PRIDE, jail road crews praised as volunteers, private funds maintain Warren County gateways
Summary
County leaders and Operation PRIDE representatives told fiscal court Dec. 4 that private fundraising and inmate road crews play a key role maintaining interstate gateways and county appearance; presenters cited roughly $8.5–$9 million raised privately and large volunteer hours for upkeep and tourism benefits.
Operation PRIDE leaders and Warren County officials used the Dec. 4 fiscal court meeting to spotlight years of volunteer and private‑sector work that county leaders say supports economic development and keeps interstates and gateways maintained.
Johnny Webb, representing Operation PRIDE, described the group’s work since 1993 and said the organization has raised between $8.5 million and $9 million in private funds to support projects including gateway landscaping, mowing and the rescue and rehabilitation of the L & N train depot. Webb described PRIDE as ‘‘paint, repair, improve, develop and enjoy’’ and said the group privately funds most of its maintenance and does not plan to ask the court for operating money to maintain new fencing and gateways.
‘‘We rescued the old L and N train depot...we raised somewhere between 8 and a half and $9,000,000 privately,’’ Webb said, adding that PRIDE also works with the county, Bowling Green and the Convention and Visitors Bureau on ongoing maintenance and that PRIDE sells a vanity license plate as a small fundraising source.
Judge Mike Buchanan and others credited Operation PRIDE with promoting tourism and helping attract prospective residents. The fiscal court also recognized jail road crews and deputies who supervise inmate work crews that collect litter and maintain rights‑of‑way; the sheriff’s office reported 6,779 hours worked by five crews in 2025, 1,652 tires collected, 16,985 miles driven and 23,637 bags of litter removed.
Court members thanked staff and volunteers for the cooperative work among county departments and community partners; no funding changes or new agreements were approved for Operation PRIDE at the meeting.
