“A veces, el mejor resultado es tu propia reflexión.” Sometimes, the most powerful outcome is your own self-reflection.
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​We began our People, Culture & Community Day not with comfort, but with disorientation. At Global Lex, FCPS Educator Leonel Ocasio stepped into the room and, without warning, began speaking entirely in Spanish. What followed was more than just a lesson. It was an experience. A classroom simulation designed to mirror the realities of immigrants and newcomer students navigating life in a new country.

Whether just starting or looking to expand, small business owners need financing to make their dreams become reality. An outgrowth of Commerce Lexington’s intercity visit to Nashville in mid-2000, the organization teamed up with the area’s leading banks and financial institutions to create the Access Loan Program to help facilitate financing for small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. Twenty-five years ago, the first Access Loan recipient was Mulberry & Lime, a retail home furnishings and gifts shop, which is still located at 216 North Limestone.
 
Through the support of Commerce Lexington staff, the Kentucky Small Business Development Center, and many financial partners, the program improves the odds of small business owners getting approval for a loan that matches their needs.  With a first-year goal to approve $225,000 in loans back in 2001, the Access Loan Program far exceeded early expectations with $1.4 million in approved loans during its first nine months. Since its inception, the program has facilitated $27.1 million in loans for 136 small businesses across the region and grown to include 26 participating entities. 

Every year, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) creates and approves a new budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year. On April 14, Linda Gorton delivered her proposed  FY 27 budget to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. The $545 million General Fund budget prioritizes investments in public safety, infrastructure, capital improvements, and quality of place. For LFUCG, the Fiscal Year starts July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year.

The city’s total budget reaches $847 million, with General Fund revenues primarily generated through payroll and business net profits taxes, alongside property taxes, service fees, and other state and federal funding.
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The proposal includes more than $78 million in planned capital spending and $7.5 million dedicated to park projects that enhance community amenities and overall quality of life.

This session, Commerce Lexington worked closely with and led community and regional partners to champion public-private investments with high-impact initiatives before members of the General Assembly. Following final passage of House Bills 500, 502, and 900 before the veto recess, lawmakers approved funding for several priority projects that will deliver significant benefits to the Greater LEX region.

​Overall, the General Assembly invested nearly $30 million to support Blue Grass Airport plan to reimagine and expand its terminal. This includes $19.9 million to launch the new terminal expansion, which will add airline gates and accommodate larger aircraft. The upgrades are expected to boost passenger capacity, attract more direct flights, increase regional traffic, and unlock new opportunities for economic development and tourism.

​For the third consecutive year, the Greater Lexington Region (Lexington-Fayette Metro) landed in the Top 10 of Site Selection magazine’s annual ranking of economic development activity in 2025 among Tier 2 regions between 200,000 and one million in population. The publication has published the Governor’s Cup rankings annually since 1988, based on new and expanded corporate facilities as tracked by the proprietary Conway Projects Database.
 
The Greater Lexington Region moved up from ninth to fourth with 27 total projects among the Tier 2 metros and finished sixth in projects per capita.  Statewide, 15 Kentucky micropolitan areas (10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county) totaling 42 projects were recognized, including Greater Lexington micropolitan areas Richmond-Berea (#25), Frankfort (#40), and Mt. Sterling (#70).  Kentucky as a whole finished fifth for the second consecutive year nationally in projects per capita. In the South Central Region, the Commonwealth was second in projects per capita and third in total projects (182). 

Leadership Central KY’s Woodford County Day on March 18 began at The Kentucky Castle, where participants were welcomed with a panel led by Emily Downey of the Woodford County Chamber. Setting the tone for the day, local leaders emphasized that strong relationships are the foundation of growth. Mayor Laura Drake shared how Versailles is managing growth by holding firm to its urban service boundary, noting that many projects take years to come to fruition. Mayor Grayson Vandegrift highlighted Midway’s focus on increasing occupational tax revenue while lowering property taxes, while Judge Executive James Kay reinforced a jobs-first approach—prioritizing industrial development while keeping housing growth in check.
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Together, their insights painted a picture of a county thinking strategically about growth and sustainability. Woodford County currently has the lowest unemployment rate in the state, with about seventy-five percent of occupational tax paid by commuters. Like many communities, affordable housing remains complex, but local leaders are focusing on helping residents stay in their homes through targeted support programs. Following the discussion, the group toured The Kentucky Castle, learning more about its evolution into a unique destination that blends dining, events, and agriculture under its current ownership.

“The arts are essential to the community, city, life, and humanity.” – Tim Kirkman
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Throughout the day, we saw this reflected in every corner of Lexington. Whether it was the artwork showcased in the East End, the rich history brought to life at the Lexington Children’s Theatre, or a hidden gem that was once a movie theater and is now Lex Studios, the impact of the arts was undeniable.

The day began with an exciting, vibrant, high-energy performance by Mariachi Escudo de Bryan Station High School - Kentucky’s first public mariachi. The students performed 4 musical pieces. It was beautiful to witness the diversity of their talents and confidence shine through each solo, whether instrumental or vocal. After the performance, we had the opportunity to learn about traditional instruments and their origins, such as vihuela and the guitarrón (string instruments with round backs to help amplify sound).

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's (LFUCG) General Government and Planning Committee recently received a presentation on the potential creation of a Development Liaison position designed to help streamline the city’s development process and accelerate housing projects.
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The proposal stems from recommendations included in the city’s 2023 Development Process Study, which found that some development projects in Lexington can take roughly twice as long to move through the local approval process compared to peer cities. The report identified improved coordination, clearer communication, and more consistent project navigation within local government as key opportunities to reduce delays.

By Keller Riede, Commerce Lexington Policy Intern 
​On Wednesday, March 4, nearly 60 business and community leaders from across the nine-county region gathered in Frankfort for Commerce Lexington’s Greater LEX Day at the Capitol in partnership with AT&T. This event provides a vital opportunity for policy experts, elected officials, and regional leaders to further connect during this legislative session and collaborate on key policy issues impacting the Lexington region.  

Several prominent members of the General Assembly addressed attendees including Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, and Representative Josh Bray – sharing insights on the status of legislation and updates on the biennium budget planning that are currently underway. Their input provided valuable insight on policy developments that are affecting Lexington and the broader nine-county Greater LEX region. Priority issues for the region include policy and investments impacting housing affordability, childcare, talent attraction marketing, and job site readiness (KY Product Development Initiative).