Grant County | Attractive to residents and business owners

By Kathie Stamps

Community events, easy access to large cities, a lower cost of living compared to surrounding areas, and neighbors who care about one another make Grant County attractive to residents and business owners. With its accessibility to I-75 and U.S. 25 and by rail, the county has attracted more than 2 million visitors in two years to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown. The attraction is Grant County’s third-largest employer, with approximately 500 full-time and seasonal employees, following Grant County Schools/Williamstown Schools with 937 employees and Dana Corp. with 530.

The Williamstown Marina continues to attract locals and out-of-towners to Lake Williamstown. Williamstown Splash Park opened in August on Waterworks Road. Ground was broken in July 2018 for a hotel in Dry Ridge, the first of three hotels expected to come to the area. Three months earlier, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for Duke Energy Solar Farm in Dry Ridge. MGP of Atchison, Kan., spent $1.8 million to convert the Performance Pipe Building in Williamstown into a whiskey warehouse. The Grant Co. Chamber of Commerce spearheaded Market on Main, a seasonal market for local produce, crafts and entertainers in downtown Williamstown and Dry Ridge. And in July 2018, 273 athletes competed in the Grant County Triathlon, an Olympic qualifying event.

Grant County

Estimated 2019 population: 24,786

Households: 8,327

Median household income: $44,191

Chamber of Commerce: Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, grantcommerce.com

County Seat: Williamstown, Mayor Rick Skinner, wtownky.org

Judge-Executive: Chuck Dills II, grantcounty.ky.gov

Economic Development Authority: Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development; grantcommerce.com