Commissioners are hopeful that construction on the project will be underway by this time next year with ground breaking ceremonies for the cemetery at the site on Memorial Day 2008.

Initial development plans call for the cemetery to be developed in up to four phases. The first phase includes a triangular shaped, 8.5-acre parcel between Buffalo Trail Road and the present Laurel Cemetery. Additional phases will include the acquisition and development of another 60 acres of state land.

The cemetery will meet National Cemetery Standards including items such as wrought-iron fencing, illumination, monuments, flags and roads.

The first phase has a preliminary cost estimate approaching $800,000 for roads, irrigation and site improvements.