4-star regional industrial park positions Henderson, McLean, Union and Webster County for new investment and jobs
FRANKFORT, Ky. (August 15, 2024) – Today, Governor Andy Beshear highlighted the continued momentum of the Commonwealth’s site development efforts as he announced a new Regional Build-Ready Site in Henderson County, positioning the region for future economic success and job creation.
The new Build-Ready site in the 4-Star Regional Industrial Park in Robards joins the state’s growing list of Build-Ready certified properties by the Cabinet for Economic Development and offers the state’s largest Build-Ready certified construction area at over 1.1 million square feet. It is a regional project with support from Henderson, McLean, Union and Webster counties. The site has already been approved for $1.4 million in state funding through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative in June 2023 to complete a land-leveling plan on the site.
“Our state’s Build Ready program has grown significantly in recent years, and I am pleased to see that momentum continue in Henderson County as we now announce the largest Build Ready site in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Beshear“One of Kentucky’s greatest attractions for growing companies is our commitment to site development, and a collaboration like this one in Western Kentucky is a prime example of what makes Team Kentucky so great. I want to congratulate Henderson County on its new Build Ready site and look forward to the new investment and job creation it will bring to Kentucky.”
The site includes over 100 acres zoned for heavy industrial use, the largest ready-to-build site in the state at more than 1.1 million square feet, and an additional 150,000 square feet of ready-to-build area. Utilities include a four-inch-thick gas main, a 10-inch-thick sewer line, and an 18-inch-thick water main. The property has electricity from Kenergy Corp. and natural gas from Atmos Energy Corp. and Texas Gas Transmission Corp. The site is also equipped with fiber optics for telecommunications.
Henderson County Judge/Administrative Officer Brad Schneider spoke about the significance of the project: “The new build-ready site at 4-Star Industrial Park is truly a huge step forward for all four counties as we look for the next company to call Northwest Kentucky its new home. A big thank you to the 4-Star Board of Directors, the Henderson Economic Development team, Hazex Construction and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for the partnership that made this project a reality. I am confident we will see the ultimate benefit of this effort very soon.”
McLean County Judge/Administrator Curtis Dame mentioned the economic success the site will bring: “McLean County’s recent economic development successes are a testament to the power of collaboration and teamwork. We remain true to our commitment to the 4-Star Regional Partnership and work together to create a thriving and successful economic opportunity for our region. Together, we can accomplish a lot as a region!”
Webster County Judge/Administrator Steve Henry explained the large scope of the project: “Thanks to the efforts of the 4-Star Board and staff, this site has become one of the best economic development sites in Kentucky. As work progresses on the new I-69 bridge, a site of this size will only attract more national attention. It is now time for Western Kentucky to experience the same growth we have seen in other areas of Kentucky.”
Missy Vanderpool, Managing Director of Economic Development at Henderson thanked the companies that made the site a reality: “The completion of this project was truly a collaborative effort. Thank you to the 4-Star Board of Directors, Hazex, MSE Engineering, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and the Fiscal Courts of Henderson, Union, Webster and McLean counties. With an impressive 1,162,500 square feet of ready-to-build space, this site offers unprecedented opportunities for industrial development. Its proactive preparation eliminates many hurdles and accelerates project timelines, making it an ideal location for companies looking to expand or start new operations. We are pleased to offer this prime location to prospective companies and look forward to the economic growth and job creation it will bring to our region. This development reinforces Northwest Kentucky’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment and supporting industrial growth.”
With a ready-to-build site, much of the work – apart from construction – has already been completed. This includes inspecting the site to be developed, conducting archaeological, environmental and geotechnical studies, constructing a building site, completing preliminary design work, obtaining approved building permits and installing the necessary infrastructure. On a ready-to-build site, construction can begin immediately.
To be certified as ready for construction, a property must include a footprint for a building of 4,600 square feet, with the possibility of expansion to 9,000 square feet or more, and utilities running to the property. Applicants – typically a city, county or economic development group – must have previously submitted the necessary permits, as well as preliminary construction plans, cost estimates and schedule projections. Applicants are also asked to submit a rendering of a potential building for the property.
Including the new site in Henderson County, there are 23 available Build Ready sites in the county, with several other sites across the state currently working toward certification.
To date, 12 previously certified Build-Ready sites – including parcels in Barren, Butler, Christian, Graves, Hart, Laurel and Pulaski counties and five sites in Warren County – have been selected by companies for new development projects, allowing the companies to bring their operations online in a cost-effective manner while creating jobs for Kentucky residents.
