Kristina Slattery
Kristina Slattery
Commissioner
Business Development

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
800.626.2930
502.564.7670
Kristina.Slattery@ky.gov

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All Build-Ready sites must first meet the KCED’s criteria for Shovel-Ready Industrial Sites. In addition, the Build-Ready approval is based on an additional set of standards.

Shovel-Ready Site Criteria  

Build-Ready Standards  

Site Prep

Site Control – Site and tract of building pad where proposed building is to be developed must have simple ownership clear of any encumbrances.

Plat – A plat of the property must be prepared by a licensed surveyor. Plat must show restrictions, building setbacks and easements. Plat also must illustrate land topography.

Zoning – Proposed property must be located in a principal use zone for industrial or mixed uses. If community has no zoning, then covenants or surrounding uses must be conducive to industrial use.

Building Pad – The site must have completed a building pad that would allow for the construction of a building, with a minimum size of 50,000 square-feet, expandible to 100,000 square-feet or more that could be built on the tract. The tract must be graded to include the area of the proposed building and any proposed expansion. The pad construction must be certified by a licensed engineer.

Aerial Imagery – Current aerial image of the property must be provided.

Environmental Studies – All necessary environmental studies must be completed and on file. All studies must state that the property is clear of any environmental issues that might inhibit development on the tract. Necessary environmental studies include:

  • Phase 1 Environmental Study
  • Geotechnical Study
  • Archeological and Historical Site Assessment
    - Not required if site is already zoned and prepared for industrial use
    - Strongly encouraged if site has not previously been zoned & prepared for industrial use, or if the site is suspected to contain historical significance or artifact(s).

Stream and Wetland Mitigation – All streams and wetlands on tract must be cleared and mitigated. The development plan must clearly define how streams and wetlands can be avoided.

Site Plan – A site plan of the property must be approved by local government. This plan must show the building footprint, locations of all utilities, parking areas, contours, erosion control, etc.

Permits / Approvals – All permits and approvals required by state and local government must be completed with documentation. Necessary permits and approvals and the responsible organizations are:

  • Storm Water Construction Permit – Energy & Environment Cabinet
  • Utility Line Extension Permit (if necessary) – Energy & Environment Cabinet

Infrastructure

A Build-Ready site must have the following infrastructure available:

Road Access – The property must be accessible by a AA rated truck route. A plan must be in place to extend access to property. Documentation of a road extension plan that includes cost and funding details must be provided.

3-Phase Power – The site should be served by 3-phase power adequate to support industrial/commercial usage.

Water and Sewer – Water and sewer lines capable of serving industrial users, must serve the site and/or the industrial park in which it is located. A commitment letter from the utility provider must be provided that includes a written plan detailing cost estimates, funding plan and development schedule.

Gas – Gas line capable of serving industrial users must serve the site and/or the industrial park in which is located. A commitment letter from the utility provider must be provided. That includes a written plan detailing cost estimates, funding plan and development schedule.

Telecommunications – The site must be served by a telecommunications provider able to provide T-1 or greater service.

Building Plans

While a Build-Ready site will not have an actual building, the following requirements for a building must be met:

Preliminary Design – Detailed architectural plans for interior and exterior of building with real cost estimate and construction timeline must be provided.

Construction Plan – The community must identify a process by which the project would more forward to construction. Plan may include a bid process to identify a contractor.

Cost & Schedule Projections – First cost estimates with detailed and realistic timeline for work must be established.

Project Funding – Detailed plan for how project would be funded and completed must be provided. Buildings must be marketed as for sale, lease or both. For a building to be marketed for lease, the community must provide documentation of ability to finance the proposed building. If adequate documentation is not provided, then the proposed building can be marketed as for sale only.

Rendering – Color renderings of proposed building must be provided for marketing purposes.

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