Marion County Economic Development

10/13/2026

🏭 Generations of Hard Work | Manufacturing Month

For generations, manufacturing has helped shape Marion County’s history, providing jobs, supporting families, and creating opportunities that continue to impact our community today.

These photographs offer a glimpse into our local manufacturing history. While the buildings, industries, and technologies have evolved over the years, one thing has remained constant: the hardworking people behind them.

As we celebrate Manufacturing Month, we’re taking a moment to recognize the generations of men and women who helped build Marion County’s manufacturing legacy.

💬 We’d love to hear from you!

Whether you worked in one of Marion County’s industries years ago or are part of our manufacturing workforce today, share your memories or give a shoutout to someone who has been part of our manufacturing story!

10/09/2026

🏭 October is Manufacturing Month!

Manufacturing is a driving force behind Central Kentucky’s economy, and we’re especially proud of the role Marion County plays in that success!

Our local manufacturers do far more than provide quality jobs. They invest in our community, support local families, and create opportunities that extend well beyond their facilities.

This month, we tip our hats to the manufacturers and hardworking men and women across Central Kentucky who keep our region moving forward. We're especially proud of those right here in Marion County whose hard work, dedication, and investment make such a lasting difference in the community we call home.

📰 Our Executive Director, Brooklyn Leep, recently contributed an article on behalf of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District recognizing the importance of manufacturing and the people who make it possible.

Read more about why manufacturing matters to our region! 👇

https://www.thenewsenterprise.com/news/business/manufacturing-is-the-lifeblood-of-our-regional-economy/article_b5a325e5-a42c-57a1-91e8-4e4632181361.html



Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development

Every October, as leaves turn across the rolling hills of Central Kentucky, we celebrate National Manufacturing Month. It is a privilege to shine a light on an industry that forms

09/15/2026

🎶 We’re proud to help bring FREE live music to downtown Lebanon during Country Ham Days! 🐷🇺🇸

Marion County Economic Development is excited to sponsor the Saturday Night Concert on September 26, featuring The Warren Project and CROMER!

Country Ham Days is one of the traditions that makes Marion County special by bringing thousands of people together to enjoy our community, support local businesses, and experience downtown Lebanon.

We hope you’ll come out, bring a chair, and enjoy a great Saturday night at Marion County Country Ham Days! 🎸🎶

🎶 HAM DAYS SATURDAY NIGHT FREE CONCERT! 🐷🇺🇸

Join us Saturday, September 26th for a FREE concert and party in downtown Lebanon!

🎤 8–9 PM: The Warren Project HQ
🎸 9–11 PM: CROMER Band

Bring your friends, grab a chair, and enjoy a night of FREE live music downtown! 🎶

A huge thank you to our Saturday night concert sponsor, Marion County Economic Development!

09/10/2026

This week, MCED Executive Director, Brooklyn Leep, joined the Lebanon/Marion County Rotary Club to give an economic development update and discuss what’s ahead for our community.

We’re so thankful for the people in our community who give their time simply to make Marion County better. Through scholarships for local students, support for community projects, and their Giving Corner boxes that help ease food insecurity, our Rotarians show why they are truly People of Action.

Thank you for having us and for all you do for Marion County!

08/25/2026

We’re looking forward to a great Leaders at Lunch this Thursday!

Come hear what’s happening in economic development, what it means for Marion County, and what we’re working toward next. See you there!

🌟 August Leaders at Lunch! 🌟
Join us Thursday August 27th at 12:00 PM at Venue 68 for our monthly Leaders at Lunch!

We are excited to welcome Executive Director of Marion County Economic DevelopmentBrooklyn Leep as our guest speaker!

🎙️ Sponsored by Visit Lebanon KY
🍽️ Catered by Lebanon Lees Famous Recipe

This event is open to everyone — Chamber members and community members alike!

Be sure to RSVP today or grab your tickets now!🎟️

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/marion-county-chamber-august-leaders-at-lunch

We look forward to seeing you there! ✨

07/01/2026

🚜 Invitation for Bids: Hay Harvesting Agreement

The Marion County Industrial Foundation is accepting bids from qualified individuals or farming operations to enter into a Hay Harvesting Agreement for approximately 218 acres of heavy industrial property located along the Lebanon Bypass (1505 Veterans Memorial Highway).

The successful bidder will pay the Marion County Industrial Foundation for the exclusive right to cut, bale, and remove hay from the property during the agreement period.

In addition to harvesting the hay, the successful bidder will be responsible for:
• Bush hogging and mowing the property as needed
• Cutting, baling, and removing all hay
• W**d eating around entrances, signs, and other improvements
• Maintaining the property in a clean, neat, and presentable condition
• Providing all labor, equipment, and fuel necessary to perform the work
• Repairing any damage caused to the property during operations

Bid Submission:

Interested parties should submit an email to [email protected] no later than end of business on Friday, July 3, 2026, containing the following information:
• Name
• Farm or Business Name (if applicable)
• Mailing Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• The dollar amount you are offering to pay the Marion County Industrial Foundation for the exclusive right to harvest hay on approximately 216 acres
• Confirmation that you have inspected, or have had the opportunity to inspect, the property
• Confirmation that you agree to the terms outlined in this advertisement

Please attach proof of Commercial General Liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence to your email submission.

For questions, please contact Brooklyn Leep at [email protected] or 270-692-6002.

05/14/2026

Big news for Marion County. 👏

We are excited to officially share that Marion County Industrial Foundation was recently approved as the beneficiary for $2 million in Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI) funding to support continued site development and infrastructure improvements at the Crossroads Industrial & Commercial Development Site located in Lebanon.

Programs like KPDI are especially important for rural communities because they support site development projects that prepare locations for future investment, ultimately helping attract new opportunities, create jobs, strengthen local economies, and improve quality of life for residents.

We appreciate the continued support of Governor Andy Beshear, the Kentucky General Assembly, State Representative Sarge Po***ck, Senator Jimmy Higdon, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, and all of our local and regional partners who recognize the importance of investing in Kentucky communities.

We look forward to sharing more details in the coming days about what this investment means for Marion County and our community’s future.

The Heart of Kentucky is Marion County. Join our vibrant economy, strong infrastructure, skilled workforce, high quality of life and more.

04/04/2026

This week, MCED, Marion County Judge Executive, and Marion County Career had a great visit with KY Cooperage! We got a firsthand look at the recent investments they’ve made in equipment and processes that have created a more modern and desirable workplace for their team members. What’s even more impressive is their continued commitment to our community, giving back to local charities and organizations week after week.

Thank you to KY Cooperage for all you do for Marion County and for supporting one of Kentucky’s signature industries!

03/26/2026

We had a wonderful visit with the R.L. Schreiber leadership team this week! R.L. Schreiber produces and distributes flavor bases, spices, and seasonings used throughout the culinary industry. We also learned more about their long-standing history as a family-owned company, founded in 1968, eventually expanding to Lebanon in 2011!

Thank you for your continued investment and commitment to our community! We are proud to have you in Marion County!

03/20/2026

Our industry visits continue as we recently had the opportunity to meet with Nukem Graphics, a fantastic family-owned business who has been in Marion County for more than 25 years! They support businesses of all sizes by providing a wide range of services including uniforms, marketing materials, custom swag, vehicle wraps, and more.

Their creativity, quality, and hustle are second to none, which is a great reminder of why Nukem Graphics was our 2024 Industry of the Year Award recipient!

We’re so proud to have them in Marion County!