JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (WIBW) -- A local car dealer is gearing up to build a new multi-million dollar facility in Junction City and hopes it will help develop a stretch along I-70.

Dick and Janice Edwards and local officials broke ground on a 40,000 square foot dealership Tuesday on Goldenbelt Boulevard, near the northeast corner of I-70 and US-77.

Edwards has locations in Manhattan and Council Grove and one in Junction City on Grant Avenue. He estimates his newest business project will cost around $10 million.

The auto plaza will be the home of Edwards’ Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler and KIA franchises.

He hopes the new facility will help attract other businesses to the immediate area.

“I had looked at this location for several years and it wasn’t available. One day, I came by and they had a sign up for sale. So I started looking at it at that time. Where we’re at has been a great location and we’ve done a lot of business there but it’s a time for change. You got 77 going North and South. It’s a great highway. The interstate is going east and west and just the traffic alone is going to help us. I’m hoping there will be other stuff starting to develop around us. I think it will be a good impact for us. I think it will help Junction City a lot,” he told WIBW.

Edwards hopes to open the new dealership in the fall of 2013.

The Grant Avenue location in Junction City will remain open and become a quick service and body shop.