Home » Build-Ready sites certified in Hart and Muhlenberg counties

Build-Ready sites certified in Hart and Muhlenberg counties

Communities capitalize on state program in search of new business

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 8, 2016) – Gov. Matt Bevin today announced industrial sites in Horse Cave and Greenville recently joined Kentucky’s list of Build-Ready certified locations, a designation offering companies a streamlined process to quickly locate, build and begin operations.

“Any time a Kentucky community establishes a Build-Ready site, it’s a great indication of future growth potential. By successfully completing the certification process, Hart and Muhlenberg counties put themselves out front in terms of welcoming industrial development,” Gov. Bevin said. “The time and cost savings that come from selecting a Build-Ready site are major selling points in attracting business to a new location. We commend both communities for taking the initiative and working with the state to achieve this certification.”

The 40-acre Horse Cave site, located in Hart County’s Progress Park, includes a 120,000-square-foot building pad. The 7.9-acre Greenville site is expandable up to 406 acres and located in the Muhlenberg County Industrial Park. It includes a 130,000-square-foot building pad. Water, electric, sewer and roadway extend to the edge of each site and the necessary permits, studies and rendering have been completed and filed.

“Build-Ready certification gives companies assurance they can start construction almost immediately,” said Erik Dunnigan, acting secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the agency that administers the program. “We know companies look for a quick turnaround and Build-Ready provides that and a competitive advantage for Kentucky communities looking to secure jobs and investments from new businesses.”

Build-Ready means a site includes a pad 50,000 square feet or greater, expandable to 100,000 square feet or more, utilities extend to an edge of the site, and the necessary permits and studies are in place including water, building, phase-1 environmental, archeological, historical and geotechnical.

The applicant – usually a city, county or economic-development group – must also provide preliminary design work, a total-cost projection, construction timeframes and a rendering of a potential building for the site.

At less than two years old, the Build-Ready program already offers eight certified locations across the state including the Hart County and Muhlenberg County sites. Efforts toward certification continue on about a half-dozen other sites.

Due to high levels of interest in Bowling Green’s two Build-Ready pads, local officials decided to advance one site further by building a speculative facility. It is an example of a Kentucky community working in advance to meet the demands of business expansions and new locations.

Sen. Carroll Gibson, of Leitchfield, said the Build-Ready program highlights Kentucky’s business-friendly environment.

“These Build-Ready sites are a perfect example of Kentucky’s innovative and business-friendly atmosphere, and I look forward to seeing the site utilized in Hart County,” he said.

Rep. Bart Rowland, of Tompkinsville, lauded local officials for placing economic growth among its top priorities.

“It’s imperative that our community takes economic development seriously, and I commend Hart County officials for doing just that,” Rep. Rowland said. “The addition of this Build-Ready site allows us to lure business right away, and create jobs for families in our region.”

Hart County Judge Terry Martin applauded the program.

“This Build-Ready site in Progress Park allows Hart County to place their industrial properties on a site that can be viewed by more businesses, developing an interest in our area that is not ordinarily available to us,” Judge Martin said. “This allows Hart County to be on the World Wide Web to showcase our location and infrastructure.”

Horse Cave Mayor Randall Curry said he looks forward to working with prospect companies and securing new employment for the city.

“We are proud to be able to offer another opportunity to bring quality jobs to Horse Cave and Hart County,” Mayor Curry said. “Jobs are critical to any community growth and sustainability.”

Sen. C.B. Embry, of Morgantown, said the certification will lead to economic progress.

“I’m excited to have a new Build-Ready site in Muhlenberg County,” Sen. Embry said. “These sites create an ideal job climate here in Kentucky, and I look forward to seeing the finished product.”

Rep. Brent Yonts, of Greenville, said the certification sends all the right messages to employers.

“Having a Build-Ready site tells corporate leaders that our community is open for business,” Rep. Yonts said. “I’ve been proud to work with our local and state officials to help make this a reality and look forward to the day in the near future when we can announce a new company’s arrival and the jobs and investment that go with it.”

Muhlenberg County Judge-Executive Rick Newman said the certification helps the county stand out.

“We are excited to have our Build-Ready site at the Paradise Regional Business Park certified by the state and ready for a new industry,” Judge Newman said. “This is another piece of the puzzle which makes our park one of the top 10 parks in the southern part of the U.S.”

Greenville Mayor Jan Yonts said the certified site will lure new-business prospects.

“Having a Build-Ready site that will accommodate a 120,000-square-foot building is such a plus for our Paradise Regional Business Park,” Mayor Yonts said. “With the Build-Ready site certification and the infrastructure in place, we look forward to and anticipate welcoming a new business to this site in the very near future.”

Kentucky’s other Build-Ready sites include tracts in the Highland Glen Industrial Park in Barren County, the Bluegrass Crossings Regional Business Centre in Ohio County, the 4 Star Regional Industrial Park in Henderson, the Hickory Industrial Park in Graves County, the Shelton Industrial Park in Logan County and in Bowling Green’s Kentucky Transpark.

For more information on the Build-Ready program: http://www.thinkkentucky.com/selectkentucky/buildready/.

A detailed community profile for Hart County can be viewed at www.bit.ly/HartCoKy.

A detailed community profile for Muhlenberg County can be viewed www.bit.ly/Muhlenberg.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.