Berea and Madison County, Kentucky, November 16, 2025
The Central Kentucky Regional Business Park Authority is advancing two industrial sites in Berea and Madison County to promote economic growth. The Berea site spans 300 acres and is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs, while the Madison County site covers 800 acres and could provide as many as 3,000 jobs. Initial funding efforts are underway, including a proposal for $6 million in federal project funding, showcasing a commitment to enhancing local job opportunities and economic development.
Lexington, Kentucky
Regional Authority Advances Two Industrial Sites in Berea and Madison County
The Central Kentucky Regional Business Park Authority is diligently pursuing the development of two industrial sites aimed at bolstering economic growth in the region. The first is a 300-acre site in Berea, Kentucky, and the second is an 800-acre site in northern Madison County. These projects are envisioned to attract new businesses and cultivate job opportunities for local residents, aligning with the goals of entrepreneurial innovation and economic development.
Berea 300-Acre Site
The Berea site, owned by the city, boasts several key advantages: it is entitled for heavy industrial uses, has proximity to existing utilities, and is adjacent to an existing industrial park. Engineering assessments are scheduled to begin in September, focusing on determining the final developable acreage, with some portions of the site located within floodplain areas. These assessments are essential to support an application to the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (PDI), allowing the potential for engineering cost reimbursement if the PDI award is granted. Furthermore, the authority has applied for up to $6 million in federal community project funding (CPF) to assist in balancing the site’s topography and expanding developable acreage. The presence of advanced manufacturing employers in the region indicates a local workforce pool that could be appealing to potential users. If approximately 200 acres are developed, the advisory estimate projects the creation of approximately 700 to 1,000 jobs at full build-out and about $1,000,000 annually in occupational tax revenue under the wage assumptions used in the economic model.
Madison County 800-Acre Site
In contrast, the Madison County site is currently under an extended due-diligence contract. Comprehensive studies, including geotechnical, wetlands, and phase-1 environmental assessments, have been completed, and master conceptual planning along with traffic analysis is underway. Characterized by its larger size, this site is better suited for accommodating multiple users and fostering long-term development. The authority is actively marketing the property to site-selection firms, employing insights from comparable regional case studies to inform their strategy. If fully developed, this site could provide as many as 3,000 jobs and approximately $4,000,000 annually in occupational tax revenue, not including property, net-profits, or insurance-premium tax. These estimates remain contingent on engineering outcomes and market demand.
Funding and County Contributions
Initially, there were plans for larger matching commitments from the counties for PDI applications, aiming for $2,000,000 per county as part of earlier discussions. However, due to prior site changes, the group was unable to apply during the first round. Currently, each county has contributed $100,000 to further advance the project. As the engineering and grant outcomes materialize, Public Service Agreements (PSAs) and project accounting will be shared with partners. The authority continues to seek additional funding sources to support the development of these critical sites.
Background Context
The Kentucky Product Development Initiative (PDI) represents a state program designed to assist local communities in developing sites and buildings necessary to attract new businesses and enhance job creation. In July 2025, Governor Andy Beshear announced nearly $8.5 million in state funding allocated for various site and building development projects across multiple counties, including Madison County. This funding initiative aligns with efforts to bolster local investment in site and building upgrades, ultimately aiming to support future, well-paying job opportunities and drive economic growth throughout Kentucky. The initiatives in Berea and Madison County are integral components of this larger strategy focused on enhancing the economic development potential of the region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are the two industrial sites being developed?
- The Central Kentucky Regional Business Park Authority is developing a 300-acre site in Berea and an 800-acre site in northern Madison County to attract new businesses and create job opportunities.
- What are the key features of the Berea 300-acre site?
- The Berea site offers city ownership, entitlement for heavy industrial uses, proximity to existing utilities, and adjacency to an existing industrial park. Engineering assessments are scheduled to determine the final developable acreage, as portions include floodplain areas. The authority has applied for up to $6 million in federal community project funding to help balance the site’s topography and make additional acreage developable. If approximately 200 acres are developed, the advisory estimate is approximately 700 to 1,000 jobs at full build-out and roughly $1,000,000 annually in occupational tax revenue under the wage assumptions used in their model.
- What is the status of the Madison County 800-acre site?
- The Madison County site is under an extended due-diligence contract assigned to the authority. Geotechnical, wetlands, and phase-1 environmental studies are complete, and master conceptual planning and traffic analysis are underway. This larger site is better suited to multiple users and longer-term development. The authority is actively marketing the property to site-selection firms and notes that comparable regional case studies have informed their approach. If fully developed, the site could yield as many as 3,000 jobs and approximately $4,000,000 annually in occupational tax revenue, exclusive of property, net-profits, or insurance-premium tax. These estimates are contingent on engineering outcomes and market demand.
- How are the projects funded?
- Initially, counties had planned larger matching commitments for PDI applications, with discussions of $2,000,000 per county as part of earlier planning. However, due to earlier site changes, the group did not apply in the first round. Each county has contributed $100,000 so far to advance the project. Public Service Agreements (PSAs) and project accounting will be reported to partners as engineering and grant outcomes become clear. The authority is also seeking additional funding sources to support the development of these sites.
- What is the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (PDI)?
- The Kentucky Product Development Initiative (PDI) is a state program designed to support local communities in developing sites and buildings to attract new businesses and create jobs. In July 2025, Governor Andy Beshear announced nearly $8.5 million in state funding to support site and building development projects in several counties, including Madison County. This funding is part of the latest round of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative of 2024. The initiative provides funding for local communities to boost investment in site and building upgrades to support future, well-paying jobs and economic growth across Kentucky. The Berea and Madison County projects are part of this broader effort to enhance the region’s economic development prospects.
| Key Feature | Berea 300-Acre Site | Madison County 800-Acre Site |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Berea, Kentucky | Northern Madison County, Kentucky |
| Size | 300 acres | 800 acres |
| Job Potential | 700 to 1,000 jobs | Up to 3,000 jobs |
| Annual Occupational Tax Revenue | Approximately $1,000,000 | Approximately $4,000,000 |
| Funding Sources | Up to $6 million federal CPF | Seeking additional funding |
| Development Timeline | Engineering assessments scheduled for September | Due diligence and planning underway |
Now Happening on X
- @BE_NKY (November 14, 2025): Five years after collaborating with EY on a target industry study, BE NKY Growth Partnership is evaluating high-growth sectors for Northern Kentucky to drive a strong economy with quality jobs. View on X
- @GovAndyBeshear (November 13, 2025): Kentucky celebrates new jobs and investments, including MRCOOL’s $5.35 million project in Graves County creating 40 jobs, Rip Technologies’ $4.3 million investment in Mt. Sterling for 46 jobs, and Ford’s $60 million expansion in Louisville adding 100 jobs. View on X
- @Kate (November 14, 2025): No mentions from Thomas Massie or Rand Paul about 49 manufacturing projects heading to Kentucky, bringing over $4.4 billion in investments and more than 3,200 full-time jobs for Americans. View on X
- @BFLouisville (November 11, 2025): Economic development leaders from Oldham County to Clarksville discuss what companies prioritize when scouting locations in the Louisville metro area, highlighting a key regional challenge. View on X
- @TraceyRyniec (November 13, 2025): New manufacturing facilities are being built in rural areas, which is positive, but there’s a challenge as housing, schools, and retail may not be ready to support 500 to 1,000 new jobs and families. View on X
- @elbh (November 15, 2025): In the region, the economy is driven by government (21.5%), health care (15.4%), and manufacturing (13.4%), with agriculture also significant at 12.6%, though agriculture and manufacturing are less dominant than the top sectors. View on X
- @Michael Hendrickson (November 15, 2025): Government cuts likely impact the local economy; the region could benefit from new manufacturing plants or data centers, offering construction jobs even if long-term employment is limited. View on X
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