Big Business Sectors in Glasgow-Barren County, KY
Economy fueled by agricuture, manufacturing, tourism and more
The business community is right on the money these days in Glasgow-Barren County, with many industry sectors experiencing success.
In This Article
Automotive Manufacturing
More than 1,700 people are employed in the automotive industry in Barren County, and several companies are doing well. ACK Controls Inc. manufactures automotive control cables and has about 320 employees, while the 600 workers at Akebono Brake Corp. make vehicle brake systems. Dana Holding Corp. and its 250 workers manufacture heavy-duty truck axles and brakes, and engine and transmission components are produced by Nemak Kentucky by its 430 employees.
Printing
RR Donnelley, which marked its 150th anniversary in October 2014, is another big contributor to the local economy. The company provides offset printing, computer typesetting, saddle-stitch and perfect-binding services for publishers, employing about 1,100 people at its Glasgow location.
Pharmaceutical Companies
The pharmaceutical industry is well represented in Barren County thanks to companies such as Mammoth Medical and R&S Pharma. Amneal Pharmaceuticals manufactures dozens of private label oral and over-the-counter products and runs its distribution and sales operations out of Glasgow, and PharMerica works with health-care facilities to provide cost-effective solutions to their pharmacy services.
Agriculture
Barren County’s rolling countryside and wide-open spaces have made it a prime spot for agriculture, and despite its nickname “the Barrens,” it is full of rich, fertile farmland. The county is a major producer of beef and dairy cattle, alfalfa hay, soybeans and burley tobacco, and the Barren County Cooperative Extension Service provides educational opportunities for area farmers to learn the newest methods in agriculture.
An example of a top agriculture company in Barren County is Bluegrass Dairy & Food LLC, whose 100 workers in Glasgow make five varieties of cheese that are sent to its Springfield plant to be converted into cheese powders used to flavor products such as chips, crackers, croutons and popcorn. Bluegrass Dairy & Food also manufactures nonfat dry milk and ice cream.
Downtown Glasgow
Many positive upgrades have occurred in Glasgow’s historic downtown in recent years, thanks in part to the community’s commitment to preservation. A committee of citizens helped raise money and organized the restoration of historic Plaza Theatre, while several community leaders and businesses have applied for facade grants to help shops in the historic district with building upkeep. In recent years, a new clock, new lights and streetscape improvements were installed downtown to fit the city’s character, and murals are being painted on the backsides of buildings.
Highland Glen Industrial Park
With 10 shovel-ready sites available, Highland Glen Industrial Park has plenty of room for industrial expansion. Groundbreaking for a new spec building took place in November 2014 at the industrial park, which sits only 12 miles from I-65 and is adjacent to Glasgow/Moore Field with its 5,000-foot general aviation runway. Tenants already at Highland Glen include Fortis Manufacturing and Omnicare.
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