​In today’s globalized world, cities and regions are constantly vying for attention, striving to enhance their appeal and competitiveness. At the heart of this competition lies the quest for talent – skilled individuals who drive innovation, economic growth, and cultural vibrancy. In this dynamic landscape, Talent Attraction Campaigns have emerged as powerful tools, reshaping regional landscapes and redefining success. This blog post explores the symbiotic relationship between Talent Attraction Campaigns and regional competitiveness, delving into the strategies that transform potential into vibrant reality.

​Commerce Lexington Inc. has announced the recent promotion of Falon McFarland to Project Manager, Economic Development. For the last two years, she has worked for the organization’s Economic Development Division, with emphasis on initiatives within the Minority Business Development Program, such as the Minority Business Accelerator, Access Loan Program, and Opportunity Exchange.
 
Commerce Lexington’s executive vice president of economic development, Gina Greathouse, said, “Falon is a valuable member of our team, working both with existing businesses and those looking to relocate here.  She has been instrumental in the day-to-day functions of our Full Stride Economic Development Capital Campaign.  Her experience in marketing is an asset to our efforts to promote Lexington and Central Kentucky as a great place for business and industry.”

​October is Manufacturing Month, a time when we celebrate the heart and soul of our economy—manufacturing. At Commerce Lexington, we are proud to promote the advantages of locating your manufacturing business in Greater Lexington, Kentucky's Bluegrass Region. Known for its rich history, educated workforce, and business-friendly environment, our region has become a prime destination for both new and expanding manufacturing companies.

For more than 20 years, Commerce Lexington has been leading business attraction and retention efforts for Lexington and the region. Businesses looking to relocate or establish themselves do not recognize county lines when looking to attract workforce or compare site locations, because of that, Commerce Lexington has helped cultivate greater collaboration among the economic development professionals throughout the region with the Bluegrass Alliance. 
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The Bluegrass Alliance markets the larger nine-county geographic area to site selectors and business targets to be more competitive with larger metro cities for labor force, business sites, housing inventory, and education and training resources.  When a company locates in one community, there are substantial direct and induced economic impacts for all the communities in the region.

​During the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) one-day conference for Leadership Programs held in May, attendees learned about the importance of exploring and measuring the impact of leadership programs through storytelling. During this discussion, the concept of Ripple Effects Mapping was introduced, which is a versatile evaluation tool intended to collect the untold stories and behind-the-scenes activities that can ‘ripple out’ from a program, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and the greater community.