By Allyson Dix
For Glasgow News 1
Officials with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Department of Finance toured three privately owned locations on July 22 in search of a facility to house a new regional driver licensing office.
Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said she has assisted in facilitating connections between state officials and local property owners and real estate agents, encouraging them to apply if their properties meet the state’s requirements.
Byrd said the transportation cabinet needs nearly 6,000 square feet of space and about 60 parking spaces to meet its needs, leaving only one county-owned facility that meets those criteria.
“We don’t really have any county building that fits those guidelines except the health department, and they really weren’t interested in it,” Byrd told Glasgow News 1.
One of the properties Byrd said she knows was toured is the vacant shopping center near the Dollar Tree in Glasgow.
“I know Franklin Shoppes was one that they really liked, but I don’t know the other two facilities toured,” Byrd said. “That shopping center is very accessible, easy, and it’ll adhere to all the requirements.”
Byrd said having a regional driver licensing office will not only benefit Barren County residents, but neighboring counties as well. Several services in addition to driver licenses are expected to be available at the new location.
“It adds a level of convenience for our citizens as well residents of surrounding counties, like Green, Monroe, and Metcalfe,” she said.
Byrd said the county has helped facilitate the process as quickly as possible, but ultimately the decision and project itself lies with KYTC and the state finance department.
Before the state transitioned the driver licensing services to state-run regional offices, circuit court clerks provided those services in all 120 counties. The state began rolling out regional locations in 2021. Barren County is one of three counties expected to house a new location in addition to Bullitt and Oldham counties.
Funding for the new offices was approved by Kentucky lawmakers earlier this year through House Bill 501, helping to expand the system for improved accessibility and reduce long wait times for residents.
The transportation cabinet offers three options for license renewals: online, by mail, or in person. Currently, the closest offices for Barren County residents are located in Bowling Green and Columbia.
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