Elizabethtown City Council Special Meeting - October 13, 2025: Airport Property Purchase Approved
Elizabethtown City Council Special Meeting - October 13, 2025
The Elizabethtown City Council held a special meeting on October 13, 2025, to consider and vote on Municipal Order 63-2025, authorizing the purchase of property at Hayden School Road for the expansion of the local airport and industrial park. The council voted unanimously to approve the purchase, with strong support from local legislators and officials.
Discussion Items
- Property Purchase for Airport Expansion: The council reviewed Municipal Order 63-2025, which authorizes the purchase of approximately 22 parcels (PBA numbers 167014.01 through 0158.01) from the estate of Mary Alice Hayden at an appraised value of $45,000 per acre. The property, totaling 222 acres according to subsequent remarks, lies west of the runway end. Officials explained the acquisition aims to enable future runway expansion, support military deployment capabilities, attract aviation maintenance businesses, and accommodate overflow from Louisville's airport. The current runway is 7,800 feet (about 1.5 miles), capable of landing C-17 aircraft.
- Supporting Remarks: Representative Bradcher strongly endorsed the project, noting the aerospace industry is Kentucky's top exporter ($18 billion annually) and that recent state legislation (the Aero Act) provides $30 million in matching scholarships for aviation training. He emphasized the project's potential to benefit government, military, nonprofit, and private sectors. Other council members highlighted opportunities for partnerships with Fort Knox, the Air National Guard, ECTC's aviation program, and local flight schools.
- Historical Context: A council member recalled a previous $600,000 airport investment 12 years ago that transformed the airport from average to a key asset, urging continued investment.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Municipal Order 63-2025: A motion was made and seconded to adopt the order. The council voted unanimously in favor, with no opposition. The order authorizes the purchase of the Hayden School Road property at $45,000 per acre for airport and industrial park expansion.
- Next Steps: Officials indicated they would seek additional state and federal funding, with continued advocacy from Senator Danine, Representative Bradcher, Senator McConnell, and Congressman Guthrie. The property may also be developed as an industrial park if airport expansion does not materialize, but the primary focus is on aviation growth.
Note: The agenda and minutes were not available. The transcript contains a discrepancy: the municipal order text reads "approximately 22" while later remarks reference "222 acres." This may reflect a transcription error or additional acreage from adjacent parcels.
Meeting Transcript
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