Elizabethtown sits where Interstate 65 meets two parkways, and that single fact explains most of its commercial real estate. It is the county seat of Hardin County, the ninth-most populous city in Kentucky at the 2020 census, and a regional hub roughly 30 miles from Louisville. Winner Realty helps owners, investors, and operators buy, sell, and lease commercial property here, and this page lays out how the market is organized and what to check before you buy.

Where commercial property is in Elizabethtown

The city's commercial map follows its roads. I-65 runs along the southeast side of town. The Western Kentucky Parkway begins at I-65 near Exit 91, where it meets US 31W and KY 61. The Bluegrass Parkway ends at I-65 at Exit 93, and US 62 and KY 61 meet the interstate at Exit 94. Property near these interchanges is where highway-oriented commercial uses tend to cluster.

• Interchange areas along I-65 and the parkways: sites that depend on highway access
• Dixie Highway (US 31W) and Dixie Avenue into downtown: older commercial strips and service businesses
• Ring Road: a big-box retail corridor, noted in a 2009 Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis profile of the city
• Gaither Station Road area: about 140 acres bought in 2024 by the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation for a new industrial park

What drives demand here

Three forces show up in every account of the local economy: logistics, the military, and healthcare.

Logistics comes from location. The Federal Reserve profile describes Elizabethtown as a supplier base for auto plants along the I-65 corridor, with two rail lines and Louisville's airport about 40 miles north. Local reporting has also followed a run of industrial projects in Hardin County, and the Industrial Foundation's land purchase on Gaither Station Road points to continued demand for industrial sites.

The military is the second force. The city is about 15 miles south of Fort Knox, and a Western Kentucky University regional campus sits on the post. In 2009 the Fed profile described a base expansion that was consolidating the Army's human resources command there, and said civilians at the post outnumbered workers at any other county employer. Healthcare is the third. That same 2009 list put Hardin Memorial Hospital at the top of the employer list with 1,600 workers. Employer figures change, so treat those as history, not current counts.

Zoning and permits in Elizabethtown

The city runs its own Planning and Development Department from the first floor of City Hall at 200 West Dixie Avenue. It covers zoning, subdivisions, development plan review, and commercial design review, along with building plan review, inspections, and code enforcement. The city employs a building official and a commercial building inspector.

• A citizen Planning Commission, appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council, hears planning matters.
• The Board of Zoning Adjustment holds public hearings on variances from setback standards.
• A Historic Preservation Commission and a Code Enforcement Board are also supported by the department.
• Business signs need a permit that checks height, area, and location against the Zoning Ordinance. Banners need a permit and are limited to 30 days and 50 square feet.
• Plumbing inspections are handled through the Hardin County Health Department, and HVAC is inspected by the state.

Zoning district names and allowed uses sit in the Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map, which the planning department administers. Check the district for your exact parcel there before you rely on a listing. For property values and ownership records, the Hardin County Property Valuation Administrator is the custodian of the parcel database.

Types of commercial property you will find

• Industrial and warehouse space, including sublease space, near the interstate and parkways
• Big-box and strip retail along the main corridors
• Acreage and signalized corner sites for development
• Apartment communities and other buildings with two or more units, which count as commercial property

Net leased retail and industrial buildings are common investor targets in highway towns, so our guide to triple net (NNN) lease investing is a useful read. For underwriting, see how cap rates work.

Buying or selling a business that owns its building

Some operating businesses own the building they work from. When that business is sold, the price of the operation and the price of the real estate are tied together, and lenders, appraisers, and tax advisors all care about how the deal is split. Our guide on buying or selling a business with real estate explains the steps. A free commercial property valuation is a practical first move if you own the building and are thinking about a sale.

Working with Winner Realty in Elizabethtown

Winner Realty is a Louisville brokerage led by owner-Realtor Rob Bergeron. For Hardin County, we help with searching for property, pricing a listing, and preparing questions for the planning office, lender, and title company. Real estate licensing in Kentucky is governed by KRS Chapter 324.

If you are selling a property and need to buy a replacement, read about 1031 exchanges in Kentucky, and see commercial loan options in Kentucky. Our Louisville commercial real estate page covers the metro to the north, and the Bardstown page covers the town east along the Bluegrass Parkway.

Frequently asked questions

Which interstate and parkway exits matter most for commercial sites?

I-65 Exit 91 joins the Western Kentucky Parkway, US 31W, and KY 61. Exit 93 is the end of the Bluegrass Parkway, and Exit 94 meets US 62 and KY 61. Proximity to these exits is a common selling point for roadside and logistics property.

Where do I apply for a sign permit?

Through the City of Elizabethtown Planning and Development Department. Sign permits are checked against the Zoning Ordinance for height, area, and location.

What if my building does not meet a setback standard?

You can ask for a variance. The Board of Zoning Adjustment holds a public hearing on variances from setback standards.

Is there new industrial land coming?

In September 2024 the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation bought about 140 acres along Gaither Station Road for a new industrial park. Ask the Foundation about status and availability.

Have a property in mind? Send details through the commercial inquiry form, or text or email Rob at (502) 305-8915 or Rob@thewinnerrealty.com.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Talk with a Kentucky real estate attorney about your specific deal.