Joint Lexington, Louisville Delegation to Advocate for Federal Priorities During 2026 Washington, D.C. Fly-In

​On July 22-24, a delegation of about 80 business and community leaders from Lexington and Louisville region’s will travel to the nation’s capital for its first-ever joint Washington, D.C. Fly-In co-presented by BrightSpring Health Services and Columbia Gas of Kentucky and coordinated by Commerce Lexington and One Louisville. With the upcoming midterm elections on the horizon, the summer Congressional session will center tightly on the Republican majority's core priorities—specifically the FY 2027 appropriations cycle, permitting reform, and a potential third reconciliation package. To shape these outcomes, proactive and immediate engagement with our federal representatives is essential.
 
During the visit, leaders from Greater LEX and Louisville groups will meet with members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, administration officials, and their respective staffs about priority issues. In addition, participants will hear from various leaders and policy experts about key issues such as trade, regulatory reform, economic development, transportation infrastructure, housing affordability, energy policies, workforce issues, and appropriations.  

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​Attendees on the trip represent a variety of sectors within Kentucky’s economy such as government, banking, health care, non-profit, education, manufacturing, energy, and professional services. Members of the delegation act as “policy ambassadors,” sharing the issue concerns of their respective business communities with members of Congress and Administration officials, and advocating for policies or projects aimed at making the Commonwealth a better place to live and work.
 
For the Greater LEX region, key priorities include increasing state and federal investments within the Bluegrass Region for infrastructure and economic development needs for the Regional Competitiveness Plan’s action items, as well as advocating for policies that support economic growth and stability for the nine-county region, including strong domestic energy production, critical investments at Blue Grass Airport, federal investments to develop shovel-ready sites for job growth, research and innovation funding for the University of Kentucky, and effective solutions to address the housing affordability crisis. A detailed agenda for the Fly-In and Greater LEX’s regional policy priorities are posted ON-LINE HERE.
 
For One Louisville's ten-county Louisville region, key priorities include supporting open and fair trade; establishing a national data privacy standard; clarifying joint-employer standards for franchise businesses; sustaining federal health research and innovation funding at the University of Louisville; maintaining airport infrastructure investment at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport; leveraging tax credits and opportunity zones for low-income neighborhood development; funding Ohio River restoration and maintenance; and addressing the housing shortage.
 
Commerce Lexington President and CEO, Bob Quick, said, “From a regional perspective, it sends a powerful message that we are unified across our region with our policy concerns and requests. For more than two decades, representatives from the Greater Lexington region have travelled to Washington to meet with our Congressional delegation and let them know the key issues impacting our region. By partnering with One Louisville this year, we’ll be able to present an even stronger message on behalf of the Commonwealth.”
 
One Louisville CEO, Trevor Pawl, said, “"This partnership isn't manufactured for optics. Look at who's on the plane: companies with headquarters in Louisville that operate distribution centers in Lexington, Lexington-based firms with satellite offices in Louisville. Our members live this every day. They're already operating as one Kentucky business community. This trip just formalizes what's already happening on the ground.”
 
About Commerce Lexington / Greater LEX:
Commerce Lexington Inc. is a nonprofit business organization that seeks to foster a vibrant economy, cultivate business growth, and enhance the quality of life in the Bluegrass region. Through collaboration with public and private partners, Commerce Lexington drives initiatives in economic development, regional competitiveness, leadership development, public policy, and member services. Facilitated by Commerce Lexington, the Greater Lexington Regional Policy Group develops the federal policy agenda, which includes input from business, community, and government leaders within the nine-county region of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott, and Woodford counties.
 
About One Louisville:
One Louisville is the regional chamber of commerce and official economic development organization driving business attraction, expansion, and innovation across the Louisville region. Formed in 2026 by combining Greater Louisville Inc. and the Louisville Economic Development Alliance, One Louisville is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit that offers a full suite of economic development, talent attraction, advocacy, and traditional chamber services. One Louisville’s mission is to accelerate economic growth across the Louisville region through new investment, talent development, and expanded opportunity for all.