(Lexington, KY) – Commerce Lexington, the City of Lexington, and its regional economic development partners were proud to showcase the Greater Lexington Region during Consultant Connect’s Destination Summit held here from April 17-19. This premier event, sponsored by Commerce Lexington and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, brought together top site selectors and local community leaders to discuss economic development opportunities and the competitive advantages of the Greater Lexington Region.

​Consultant Connect is an organization that facilitates connections between economic developers and site selection consultants, offering opportunities for networking, learning, and relationship-building. The Destination Summits, organized by Consultant Connect, bring together top minds in economic development and site selection at various locations across the U.S. and Canada for intimate gatherings. These summits provide attendees with the chance to engage with location consultants, discuss industry trends, build relationships, and learn from experts in the field.

Over the course of the three-day summit, attendees were immersed in the economic potential and cultural richness of Greater Lexington. The event boasted an impressive one-on-one ratio of attendees to location consultants, allowing for personalized and productive discussions about the region's competitive edge. The program featured discussions on the Regional Competitiveness Plan, updates on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, and strategies from the developing talent campaign.

Commerce Lexington recently released its 2024 Minority Business Resource Guide & Directory, which not only aims to help area minority business owners find assistance to overcome challenges and barriers to their business, but also makes it easier for people and companies throughout our region to do business with Commerce Lexington member minority- and women-owned businesses. Commerce Lexington began publishing this Guide & Directory in 2007 when area business owners expressed difficulty in finding quality minority-owned businesses within the community.

Since the mid-1990’s, Commerce Lexington Inc. and its predecessor, the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, along with its many partners throughout the community, have championed the efforts of minority-owned businesses. The Community & Minority Business Development (CMBD) program works to promote and sustain the economic growth, development and self-sufficiency of ethnic minority-owned business owners and entrepreneurs. Minority businesses are offered strategic and business planning, procurement assistance, access to lending tools, and the expertise of a full complement of economic professionals.

LEXINGTON, KY – The Greater Lexington region continues to be an attractive place for business and industry, according to Site Selection Magazine’s annual rankings of the top metros based on economic development activity.  For 2023, the region achieved a significant move up the rankings in both total projects (10th) and projects per capita (7th), jumping into the Top 10 nationally for Tier 2 Metros with a population between 200,000 and one million.

Commerce Lexington’s Executive Vice President of Economic Development, Gina Greathouse, said, “We are very excited about this new recognition for the region.  This success over the last few years is due in large part to the collaborative effort of many regional economic development partners who have worked together to attract new businesses and support the expansion efforts of many existing companies. This ranking reaffirms Greater Lexington’s position as a leading destination for business."