It took more than 26 months from the time Flying J Inc. bought land in Hubbard Township for a travel plaza until ground was broken for the $8.5 million project along U.S. Route 62, north of Interstate 80.

But it will take just 210 more days to complete, project director Michael T. Miller said at Wednesday morning's ground-breaking.

"I am glad to see this finally take place," said former Hubbard Township trustee and Joint Economic Development District board member Howard Bradley.

He described the project as a great sign of teamwork between the city of Hubbard and Hubbard Township.

City Mayor George Praznik also praised the combined effort.

"I am tickled pink that this is finally becoming a reality," said Praznik. "It is bringing in 160 jobs and will really boost economies for both the city and the township."

According to Praznik, the township will collect property taxes on the land and building and the city will receive the income taxes.

The project, which includes construction of a cross-over lane for access to the plaza, is a great economic boost for the area, said Mary Ann Lark, president of the Hubbard Chamber of Commerce.

"I feel great about it," she said. "It is a first-class operation here and will really bring some much-needed progress to the area," she said.

Bradley said the project would be a great "flagstone" for that section of the township. "We hope that this will be a magnet to further spur development of this interchange," he said.

"Jobs, that is the bottom line," said Mike Claar, district maintenance manager of Flying J Inc. District 12 includes northern Kentucky, Ohio, parts of New York, Pennsylvania and all of Canada. "This is a great thing for this area," he said.

"We hope to be a good neighbor to everyone," he said.