Princeton Economic Development Opportunities Report May 2026

Available Properties in Princeton, KY

A community rooted in history and built for opportunity, Princeton, Kentucky, offers strategic access, reliable public power, and a strong workforce foundation for businesses ready to grow. As the county seat of Caldwell County, Princeton blends small-town accessibility with regional connectivity and industrial strength creating an ideal environment for long-term investment.

A Strategic Location for Business Success

Located in west-central Kentucky on Interstate 69 — and just 5 minutes from Interstate 24 — Princeton provides convenient access to major Midwest and Southeastern markets. Within a 300-mile radius, businesses can reach Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; and Atlanta, Georgia.

This central positioning places Princeton among 43 percent of the U.S. population and 51 percent of U.S. manufacturing employment, making it an advantageous hub for logistics, production and distribution. Air transportation is available locally at Princeton-Caldwell County Airport, with expanded regional access through Barkley Regional Airport just an hour away.

Why Princeton?

Princeton has a strong and diverse manufacturing base that continues to drive economic stability and growth. Major employers and manufacturers include:

• TreeHouse Foods
• Hydro-Gear
• Wyman-Gordon
• Bodycote
• Better for Butchery

Education and workforce readiness remain central to Princeton’s long-term success. The Caldwell County School System includes a primary school, elementary, middle, and high school, in addition to the Caldwell Regional Career Center. The career center expands student knowledge and industry certifications in high-demand areas such as health sciences, allied health, welding, carpentry, automotive technology, plumbing, and computer science. Princeton is also home to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Research and Education Center, which supports agricultural innovation and research. Within 35 miles, students may attend Murray State University, Madisonville Community College, Hopkinsville Community College, or the Western Kentucky Community and Technical College, offering accessible pathways to advanced education and workforce development. In addition, the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation partners with area businesses and training facilities to provide customized skills training programs that support long-term talent retention.

The Princeton Electric Plant Board, a municipally owned electric utility, provides reliable and economical electric service and is committed to innovation, efficiency, and professional operations. The utility collaborates with customers to improve both the economic and environmental quality of the community. Princeton is a Member of American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP), the nonprofit wholesale power and services provider for more than 130 public power communities across nine states. Through AMP, Princeton benefits from competitively priced wholesale power, diversified generation resources, long-term system planning, and mutual aid support during major outage events. The Princeton Electric Plant Board received national recognition for exceptional reliability for years 2024-2026, reflecting a sustained commitment to reliability and sustainability.

Quality of Life

Quality of life in Princeton is enhanced by its recreational amenities, natural beauty, and deep historical significance.

The Trail of Tears and Big Springs Historic Site serve as both places of remembrance and peaceful community gathering spaces. Once a vital stop along the Cherokee removal route in 1833, the site now features a small limestone cave, a flowing spring, walking paths, monuments and memorials, a community event space, and wedding and celebration venues. Visitors and residents alike enjoy a calm, natural setting that offers opportunities for reflection and recreation. Beyond the park, the area provides access to lakes, state resort parks, a wildlife refuge, museums, antiques, golfing, canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor activities — all within a short drive. Princeton’s creative spirit is further reflected in the work of the Princeton Art Guild, which promotes local artists, hosts exhibits, and encourages community engagement in the arts.

Princeton’s strong labor force, quality infrastructure, premium development sites and natural attractions make it an ideal location for business investment and expansion. Combined with reliable public power through AMP and a collaborative community environment, Princeton offers companies the opportunity to grow with confidence. We invite you to learn more and arrange a visit to experience all that Princeton has to offer.

Interested in learning more about Princeton and Caldwell County? For tourism information, visit www.princetonky.us or stop by City Hall at 206 E Market St. For more information about the community’s industrial sites and other economic development opportunities, see Site Opportunities linked below.

Site Opportunities Include:

Industrial Space and Vacant Land:

• Speculative Building #4 – Princeton, KY
  • Recently completed 100,000-square-foot industrial facility, expandable to 200,000 square feet.

• Site #5 – Princeton, KY
  • 19.3-acre site with an under-development Build-Ready Pad capable of supporting the construction of a 100,000 square foot industrial facility.
• Site #7 – Princeton, KY
  • 25-acre greenfield site with utility and road access. Contact PCCIDA (www.pccida.com) for more information.

Public Power and AMP

Public power utilities are not-for-profit, community-owned electric systems that work to provide the highest-quality, most reliable power to residents and businesses. They are part of the communities and focus on what is best for the people and businesses they serve.

American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is the nonprofit wholesale power supplier and services provider for more than 130 Members in the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, a joint action agency with nine Delaware municipal members. Combined, these Member municipal electric utilities serve approximately 665,000 customers. AMP Members receive their power supply from a diversified resource mix that includes wholesale power purchases through AMP and the open market and energy produced at AMP and Member-owned generating facilities utilizing fossil fuel, hydroelectric, solar, wind, and other renewable resources.

For more information about our Member communities and programs, visit searchampsites.com.