Partnership is the name of the game for economic development in Shelby County, whose county motto is “Good land, good living, good people.” Leveraging resources and opportunities requires cooperation and collaboration between the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, ShelbyKY Tourism Commission and Visitors Bureau, Shelby Main Street, Shelby County Fiscal Court, and the city governments of Shelbyville and Simpsonville.
Good business comes from that sentiment, as does bourbon. Ground was broken in 2014 for Diageo’s new $115 million Bulleit Distillery, which opened in March 2017. Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville opened in November 2016, and its bourbon will be ready in 2019, made with bloody butcher corn from the family farm.
Shelby County is also known as the “American Saddlebred Capital of the World” and has 80 Saddlebred companies and horse shows contributing to economic development and tourism.
Named after Gov. Isaac Shelby, the county was founded in 1792, the same year Kentucky achieved statehood.
County Seat:
Shelbyville
Thomas Hardesty, Mayor
Estimated 2017 population:
48,880
Number of households:
15,888
Median household income:
$60,189
Shelby County Chamber of Commerce:
Natalie Mudd, president
Judge-Executive:
Dan Ison
Shelby KY Tourism & Visitors Bureau:
Katie Fussenegger, executive director
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