GLASGOW, Ky. — State officials are evaluating potential locations for a new regional driver’s licensing office in Barren County, a proposed facility expected to serve about 250 customers daily.

Barren County Judge/Executive Jamie Byrd said she has remained in regular contact with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as the state works toward selecting a site.

In July, representatives from the Transportation Cabinet and Finance and Administration Cabinet toured three privately owned properties under consideration.

Barrenside submitted an open records request for copies of the proposals, but the request was denied under a state law that exempts certain procurement records from public disclosure until a contract is awarded or the process is canceled without an award and will not be reopened.

Byrd said county officials had hoped to offer the former Barren County Health Department building for the project, but state officials determined it did not meet the facility’s requirements.

“They have found other facilities, though, that work and are in negotiations and development,” Byrd said.

Byrd said she understood that officials had selected a site and were negotiating with the property owner. The chosen property will require some construction modifications to accommodate the office, she said.

She said she helped connect private property owners with state officials for consideration. The vacant shopping center near Dollar Tree was among the properties she previously encouraged to submit proposals.

The state has not announced a final location or opening date.

The proposed office is part of a statewide effort to establish new regional licensing offices in Barren, Bullitt and Oldham counties. The Kentucky General Assembly allocated $15.66 million for the projects during fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

Kentucky shifted to a centralized driver’s licensing system in 2022, moving services from circuit court clerk offices to regional centers operated by the state.

The change has required some rural residents to travel farther for services, while long wait times and limited appointment availability have also been reported.

Nearby Monroe County residents must travel roughly 45 miles or more to reach the regional licensing office in Columbia, while the Bowling Green office is another option for residents seeking licensing services.

In May, the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet sought proposals for a Glasgow office, requesting about 5,595 square feet of space and 60 reserved parking spaces.

Property owners could propose leasing an existing building or constructing a new facility. The deadline was June 17.

Byrd has continued advocating for a Glasgow location, pointing to demand demonstrated during pop-up licensing events held locally after services moved to Bowling Green and Columbia.

A Glasgow office would help fill the geographic gap between those locations and provide a closer option for residents across south-central Kentucky.