Business in Focus Spotlights EHCIF
When looking at the landscape of Elizabethtown and Hardin County today, it is easy to focus on the momentum: the bustling industrial parks, a thriving regional workforce, and a steady stream of national and global investment entering the region. But as Business in Focus magazine highlighted in its July 2026 issue, this success is far from an accident. It is the result of decades of disciplined leadership, strategic planning, and a deep-seated commitment to doing business the right way.
In a feature titled “Strong Leadership and Long-Term Vision,” the publication took an inside look at how the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation (EHCIF) and local leadership have shaped the region into one of the top destinations for advanced manufacturing and enterprise.
Economic growth can be approached in two ways: taking every opportunity that comes along, or holding out for the right ones. In the feature, Mayor Jeff Gregory reaffirmed Elizabethtown’s selective approach to economic development. Growth for growth’s sake has never been the goal. Instead, the leadership team focuses on cultivating long-term partnerships with companies that genuinely fit the character and goals of the community.
This philosophy ensures that as incoming businesses thrive, they also actively contribute to the stability and high quality of life that Hardin County residents enjoy.
The article reflects on a significant milestone: 70 years of economic development leadership. Since its founding in January 1956, EHCIF has been at the forefront of positioning Elizabethtown for the future. From early recruitment efforts in the 1960s that attracted major players like Dow Chemical, Crucible Magnetics, and Gates Rubber Company to managing key sites like the T.J. Patterson Industrial Park and the Gil Niceley Sr. Industrial Park today, the organization has consistently elevated the region on national and global stages.
That continuity of vision is carried forward today by EHCIF President and COO Andy Games, alongside Vice President Rick Games, who previously served 25 years as President. Together with city and county leaders, they continue to build on a foundation established over 50 years ago, when visionary local leaders took bold steps to develop dedicated industrial parks and establish forward-thinking municipal structures long before other communities caught on.
A business community is only as strong as its labor pipeline, and the feature gives well-deserved credit to our region’s educational infrastructure. Highly ranked local school districts lay the groundwork for strong families and a quality community.
Building on that K-12 foundation, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC), part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, serves as a vital partner for economic development. Offering classes across five regional locations, ECTC works directly with incoming industrial partners to create custom curriculum and specialized training certificates in high-demand fields like industrial maintenance, welding, electrical engineering, and health sciences.
The feature highlights major industrial drivers across EHCIF parks, from Metalsa and Altec to global packaging leader Kruger Packaging. It also highlights the region’s adaptability. When plans for the BlueOval SK battery park evolved, the site quickly pivoted to house Ford Energy’s battery energy storage systems (BESS) facility, bringing thousands of jobs and showcasing the area’s economic resilience.
Direct access to Interstate 65, the Bluegrass Parkway, major rail lines, and the Elizabethtown Regional Airport ensures that companies located in our industrial parks enjoy world-class logistics and connectivity.
Industrial success naturally drives broader regional growth. Ranked number one for startup growth in the nation, Elizabethtown is currently the fastest-growing city in Kentucky. With an estimated daily daytime population exceeding 110,000 across the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, the area has seen thousands of new residential units built alongside incoming retail, dining, and healthcare options.
Beyond business, the city continues to invest heavily in community amenities and safety. The Elizabethtown Sports Park serves as a premier sports and entertainment anchor, drawing athletes and families from across the country every weekend. To build on that momentum, construction is underway for a new $40 million, 10,000-seat outdoor concert venue designed to host major acts and mid-week events. Coupled with dedicated public safety investments that have earned Elizabethtown recognition as one of the safest cities per capita in the United States, the city is ensuring its infrastructure matches its economic growth.
Being recognized by Business in Focus is a proud moment for our team and community partners. As EHCIF celebrates seven decades of service, the focus remains firmly on the horizon, ensuring that Elizabethtown remains a premier hub for industry, innovation, and community for generations to come.
To read the complete feature article, visit the July 2026 issue of Business in Focus magazine. To learn more about available sites or expanding your operations in Hardin County, reach out to the EHCIF team today.