Future Cities
Market Spotlight: A River City Success Story
There’s More to Louisville than a Horse Race.
Why Louisville?
Nestled on the banks of the Ohio River lies Louisville, Kentucky. Known throughout the country as a hub of horses and bourbon, Louisville is so much more than that. The River City is the Bluegrass Industrial Behemoth, with access to roads, runways, rail, and rivers, all fueling a growing industrial sector that’s surging ahead as a leader in the Midwest and Upper South.
But industry is only part of the story. Louisville has a rich culture, steeped in tradition and spirit. From Churchill Downs and the most famous horse race in the world, to a world-renowned park system, Louisville is as much fun as it is livable. Between the museums on West Main Street to the distillery experiences all across the city, Louisville is truly a success story worth sharing.
3 Factors Driving Louisville
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Industrial Might
The Bluegrass Industrial Behemoth
The Louisville industrial market has added almost 72 million sq. ft. over the past ten years, a growth rate of nearly 70%.
54% of the US population is within a 12-hour drive of Louisville and 82% of the US population is within a 24-hour drive of Louisville, making the city one of the country’s most strategic logistics hubs.
Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport is the world’s 5th busiest cargo airport. Additionally, the UPS WorldPort has the capacity to process more than 1.6M packages every day.
The Ford Motor Company has been producing vehicles in Louisville since 1913, including American icons like the Model T and Explorer.
GE Appliances has called Louisville home since the 1950s, and proudly produces everything from refrigerators to HVAC equipment.
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A Maturing Metropolis
A home to innovative industries and perfect parklands
Louisville is home to a companies of all sizes, including Amazon, Ford, UPS, GE, Kroger, Ryder Logistics, and Walmart.
Several food and beverage companies are headquartered in Louisville, including Yum! Brands, Texas Roadhouse, and Brown-Forman.
With a cost of living index of 89.8, Louisville ranks as the 4th most affordable metro area in the country, as well as achieving a perfect 100/100 rating for inclusivity from the Human Rights Campaign.
Louisville’s park system is among the most beautiful in the country, and includes the nation’s 15th largest metro parks. The crown jewel is The Parklands of Floyds Fork, including more than 60 miles of hiking, biking and trails.
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A Uniquely Distilled History
A Louisville tradition…neat or on the rocks
The Bourbon industry pours $9B into the commonwealth’s economy every year.
There are 18 distillery experiences in metro Louisville, and nine bourbon bars in Louisville are ranked in the top 55 in the country.
Louisville’s distillery experience visitors hit an historic low in 2020, but has already overtaken pre-pandemic levels in just two years.
