Greater LEX Delegation Heads to Washington For Annual D.C. Fly-In

Written by Reid Maynard, Policy Intern
On July 8–10, more than 50 business and community leaders from across the Greater Lexington region will travel to the nation’s capital for the annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In, presented by Columbia Gas of Kentucky. This signature advocacy event, led by Commerce Lexington, provides local and regional leaders with the opportunity to engage directly with members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, agency officials, and policy experts at a critical time for federal decision making. 

With new Republican Congressional majorities and the Trump Administration focused on tax reform, regulatory changes, energy policy, and government modernization, this year’s Fly-In serves as a key moment for regional stakeholders to learn about issues, build relationships and elevate Greater LEX priorities.   

​The visit is a policy cornerstone of the Regional Competitiveness Plan, a long-term strategy to attract jobs and talent to the nine county region.  One of the seven core action items is related to advocacy efforts and increasing state and federal investment in infrastructure, innovation, and economic development. 

Throughout this three-day trip, participants will act as “policy ambassadors” for the Greater LEX region, focusing their conversations on the region’s most pressing economic concerns, ranging from overall economic uncertainty about the Administration's trade and tariff policies and cuts to federal programs and spending priorities, to housing affordability, energy, research  investments and regulatory reform. 

Below are five of the top federal priorities for this year’s Fly-In: 

• Economic Growth & Stability: Support federal policies that combat inflation, strengthen supply chains, and expand trade access for critical regional industries like agriculture, bourbon, manufacturing, and equine.
• Pro-Growth Tax Policies: Make permanent key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to avoid tax increases on Kentucky families and small businesses while promoting innovation and investment.
• Blue Grass Airport Infrastructure: Support full funding for the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the relocation of the Air Traffic Control Tower at Blue Grass Airport to enable necessary terminal expansion and meet growing regional travel demand.
• Low-Cost Energy Advantage: Promote an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that ensures affordable, reliable energy to meet growing demands from industries like advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
• Housing Access & Affordability: Expand tools like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), protect federal housing programs, and support innovative local partnerships to address the regional housing crisis like the Transy Housing Project. 

Other priority issues include critical investments in research and innovation funding at the University of Kentucky and business park site readiness for job creation. For more information about our 2025 federal priorities, CLICK HERE. 
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By amplifying a unified voice in Washington, Greater LEX leaders aim to highlight needs and secure the federal support needed to advance shared prosperity and long-term competitiveness for jobs and workforce.  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:  D.C. Fly-In Agenda Booklet  |  2025 Federal Priorities One-Pager