Commerce Lexington Inc. fully supports the development of new incentives to help Kentucky's small businesses grow and prosper in today's global economy. We support new strategies to increase jobs by attracting companies to Kentucky. We advocate a regional approach to Economic Development planning and problem solving. We work closely with local governments and community organizations across Central Kentucky to develop a common vision for the prosperity of our region.

BUSINESS EXPANSION & RETENTION
Commerce Lexington Inc. supports Kentucky's businesses and works to ensure Kentucky residents are employed in high wage jobs. Commerce Lexington supports incentive-based approaches to assist with new business development, expansion, capital investment, workforce training and job creation. We encourage the General Assembly to create an incentive program for existing Kentucky businesses that reinvest in their facilities and equipment ensuring their future success and existence in the Commonwealth. Commerce Lexington Inc. also supports streamlining the incentive process. We support fully-funding the Bluegrass State Skills Program and adding more flexibility for eligible employees.

ENTREPRENEURIAL ENVIRONMENT/CULTURE
Commerce Lexington Inc. supports initiatives that encourage the continued development of the knowledge-based economy in Central Kentucky. We support policies that facilitate the development and retention of high tech manufacturing and biotechnology investments in our region and specifically encourages additional research and development and technology transfer activity in central Kentucky. Commerce Lexington Inc. will be an advocate for public/private partnerships that move ideas to theory, theory to applied research, and applied research to developed commercial application. To help provide additional financial support enabling such business activity to occur, Commerce Lexington Inc. supports the development of venture capital and seed capital funds that focus on central Kentucky investments.

TRANSPORTATION
Commerce Lexington fully supports a regional transportation approach, including supporting the Ohio River Bridges Projects in Northern Kentucky, Louisville and Western Kentucky (I-69), the U.S. 27 to I-75 Connector in Jessamine County and the Newtown Pike Extension in Lexington. Commerce Lexington fully supports the use of alternative funding for these projects, including user fees and tolls. We also encourage the Kentucky Transportation Department to fund a regional transportation study to determine the short and long term road needs of the Central Kentucky region. Only through such cooperative efforts will we arrive at comprehensive solutions that preserve our unique identity, encourage economic and job growth, and enhance the overall quality of life for all central Kentuckians.

AGRICULTURE
The horse industry, Kentucky's signature industry, has its home in central Kentucky. Because of the substantial economic impact it has on our region as well as the state, Commerce Lexington Inc. supports programs and initiatives to protect and enhance future growth through innovative tax approaches, alternative gaming at racetracks, purse increases, increased funding for breeder incentive programs and other assistance to allow the industry to remain competitive. Specifically, the state sales tax on equine products, and our current breeder incentives, which are significantly greater in competing states, put our region and the Commonwealth at a disadvantage with competitor states. Commerce Lexington Inc. supports efforts to eliminate this competitive disadvantage. Commerce Lexington also supports the industry efforts to address the Health, Welfare and Safety of the Thoroughbred Industry, through the efforts of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.

TIF CHANGES
TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCING
Commerce Lexington Inc. strongly supports and encourages the use of Tax Increment Financing for certain projects and infrastructure improvements. Commerce Lexington Inc. supports continuous improvements to state TIF laws to help improve and maximize the potential of development opportunities created by a local government's creation of TIF Zones.

CONDEMNATION
Commerce Lexington Inc. is opposed to government acquisition of privately owned businesses through condemnation for the purpose of operating the business.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
The tourism industry is an important component of an overall economic development strategy. In 2010, the entire state will be put on a worldwide stage when Lexington and Central Kentucky host the 2010 FEI Alltech Word Equestrian Games. The entire state must be prepared to host to thousands of visitors and media outlets to make a positive, lifelong impression; about all Kentucky has to offer. Additionally, Commerce Lexington Inc. supports initiatives and incentives designed to enhance tourism's positive impact through events, destinations and film industry while working to ensure that efforts that might undermine tourism's economic impact are minimized.

LEXINGTON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
Commerce Lexington Inc. supports the mission of the Lexington Downtown Development Authority to enhance the relationship between the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods and to attract more residents and business downtown, resulting in more citizens living and working in downtown. Commerce Lexington Inc. supports the development of a downtown Lexington trolley system for use by the workforce and the general public downtown. Commerce Lexington Inc. also fully supports incentives and programs designed to increase the access and amount of public art throughout the entire community.

FREE TRADE
International trade in goods and services accounts for nearly a third of the country's GDP. Kentucky has established itself as a major exporter in a broad range of industries - from manufacturing to agriculture, as well as an attractive location for foreign investments. More than 3,200 Kentucky companies now sell products overseas. Over 76% of these businesses are small- and medium-sized enterprises accounting for nearly $15 billion in annual export sales. These exports directly support 90,000 jobs in Kentucky, and plus with tens of thousands more indirectly supported by exports. Commerce Lexington Inc. urges elected officials to support free trade agreements that open new markets and create new opportunities for businesses and workers in our region.