ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Ford’s $5.8 billion investment bringing 5,000 jobs to Hardin County is exciting news, but it has real estate agents asking where all of the workers will live. 

What You Need To Know

  • The new Ford plant will bring 5,000 jobs to Hardin County

  • Selling times are down from four to six months to days in weeks in Hardin County 

  • Realtors say low-interest rates are making buying more desirable than renting 

  • Production will start at the Kentucky plants in 2025

Penny Miller has a picture of her grandsons, Austin and Ian, as her screensaver on her work computer in her office at Gold Star Realty. 

Hardin County has been Penny’s home since she was younger than her grandsons. Austin may be a Cardinals fan, but not even a college rivalry is stronger than a grandmother’s love.

Ian lives in Texas. Miller was able to fly out to visit Ian in August for the first time since the pandemic started.

She’s spent the past 37 years working as a realtor to helping other families make Hardin County their home, too. 

As Ford Motor Company invests billions to bring two electric battery plants and 5,000 jobs to the area, there will be hundreds of families in need of her help in the next five years. 

She said with a market that’s already struggling to have listings to sell, it's not quite prepared. 

“We've never seen anything like it,” Miller said. “With the new ones coming in, are we gonna have enough housing ready for them?”

Gold Star Realty usually has 1,800 active listings at a given time. Right now they have half of that to work with. 

When considering desired size, location, and other needs of clients, that number shrinks. Miller said high lumber prices and low interest rates are part of the problem. 

“Most people find they can own a house cheaper than they can rent a house and they're investing in their own self instead of somebody else’s,” Miller said. 

Homebuyers are keeping Miller busy with showings. When she gets a good listing, it can be gone in a matter of weeks – sometimes days or even hours. 

“There are more people coming than we have houses,” Miller added. 

She knows the next five years will be hard work, but she is excited to help others find their home in the place she loves. 

“You're going to find that you are welcome here and that you are appreciated and that we want you to be part of our community,” she said.