Elizabethtown/Hardin County Industrial Foundation, Inc.

06/12/2026

We are thrilled to kick off our Board Member Spotlight series by introducing our Chairman, Matt Hess!

As a dedicated leader with deep professional and personal roots in Hardin County, Matt brings an immense amount of strategic expertise to the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation (EHCIF). He currently serves as a Partner at the law firm of Bell, Hess & Van Zant, PLC, where his extensive legal background provides invaluable guidance to our organization's economic development efforts.

Matt’s commitment to our region extends far beyond his professional work. He is actively involved in strengthening our local community, lending his time and leadership to multiple civic organizations and initiatives that help Elizabethtown and Hardin County thrive.

As our Chairman, Matt plays a pivotal role in driving EHCIF's mission forward. His vision and leadership are instrumental as we work to attract global industry, support local businesses, and create high-quality jobs for our community.

Thank you, Matt, for your outstanding leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the future of Hardin County!

06/09/2026

The Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation launched Made Here Elizabethtown to give people a firsthand look at what makes our community a premier destination. While our organization works behind the scenes to drive economic growth and attract top-tier jobs, MadeHere etown showcases the vibrant lifestyle that supports that growth.

Now that summer is officially here, it is the perfect time to explore everything our community has to offer. Elizabethtown is one of the fastest-growing job markets around, but it is also an incredible place to live and play. From local dining and seasonal events to outdoor recreation, our city offers a fantastic quality of life outside the workplace.

If you are looking for new things to do this summer, visit https://madehereelizabethtown.com/live-and-play/ to visit the Live and Play page on MadeHere Elizabethtown and read more about all the food, fun, and experiences our community has to offer!

04/17/2026

Thank you Mayor Gregory and the City of Elizabethtown Government for the update.

04/13/2026

We had a busy and productive day in Elizabethtown!

A big thank you to Senator Rand Paul for stopping by AGC Automotive Americas today. It’s always a privilege to discuss the growth of our local workforce and the future of manufacturing in Kentucky with our federal partners.

We also want to give a shout-out to AGC Automotive for being such gracious hosts. We are proud to have such a dedicated industry leader in our region!

04/08/2026

Great to hear from Kentucky Community & Technical College System President Dr. Ryan Quarles today in Elizabethtown! He joined Elizabethtown Community & Technical College President Dr. Juston Pate for a listening session ahead of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.

The conversation was clear: our local manufacturers are ready to grow, ECTC is a critical partner in growing our workforce, and together, we can meet the workforce demands. By connecting local industry with educational leadership, we’re preparing the next generation for high-demand careers right here at home.

04/03/2026

“There was a bright, shiny light, which was Ford Motor Company, that said, ‘We are going to take this property we're going to do something with it. This is the short-term project on the first building. Ford will still have the other building and the open ground. Who knows where Ford Motor Company will go in the next five, 10 or 20 years.”

- Andy Games, President & COO
Elizabethtown/Hardin County Industrial Foundation, Inc.

Industrial recruiter Andy Games felt like he had been punched in the gut when the announcement was made in December that the BlueOval SK venture in Glendale was coming to

03/26/2026

Thank you to the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce for hosting Andy Games, President and COO of Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation, as their guest speaker at the Business at Breakfast hosted at the Colvin Community Center.

Andy updated attendees on the future of Ford Motor Company in Hardin County and opportunities to bring business and industry to the county.

Thank you Hardin County Chamber for the opportunity!

03/24/2026

Great day in Atlanta with some wonderful Economic Development professionals from Kentucky!!!

03/17/2026

At last month's Facility Manager's Meeting, Lisa Slaven of Hardin County Schools - Kentucky and Grant Mulligan, employer engagement manager for Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) -KY. They shared an update on the JAG-KY program at North Hardin High School, and the message was clear: These students are exactly who we, area manufacturers, should be looking to hire and mentor.

Learn more:

“At the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation (EHCIF), we have the great honor of representing an economic powerhouse in the Bluegrass State. From manufacturing to defense to health care, Elizabethtown and Hardin County’s strong, diverse economy attracts incredible opportunities to o...

02/11/2026

Great group doing great things in Elizabethtown!!

Recently, Grainger reached out with an urgent request from a large contract customer requiring 36 drums of glycol for a time-sensitive application. Despite challenging winter conditions, our team processed and shipped the order the same day, and it was delivered within two days.

We are proud of the collaboration between Grainger and Lentus that made this happen. Huge thanks to everyone involved for stepping up and getting it done.