Regional Delegation to Advocate for Greater Lexington’s Federal Priorities During Washington, D.C. Fly-In

On July 10-11, more than 35 regional business and community leaders will travel to the nation’s capital for the annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In presented by Columbia Gas of Kentucky. During the two-day visit, leaders from Greater LEX will meet with members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation and staff about priority issues to enhance regional competitiveness and support the ongoing Regional Competitiveness Plan. In addition, participants will hear from various leaders and policy experts about key issues such as tax and regulatory reform, economic development, transportation infrastructure, broadband, housing affordability, energy policies and workforce issues. 
 
One of the seven key action items of the Regional Competitiveness Plan is increasing state and federal investments within the Bluegrass Region for infrastructure and economic development needs and advocating for policy changes that improve the business climate.  One priority for this year’s Fly-In is advocating for infrastructure investments to support increasing shovel-ready sites for jobs in the region and learning how the region can more successfully leverage federal grant opportunities to support regional initiatives. 
 
Attendees on the trip are diverse and represent various sectors of the regional economy such as government, banking, health care, non-profit, education, manufacturing, energy, and professional services.  Members of the delegation act as “policy ambassadors” for Greater LEX. They share the issue concerns of the business community with members of Congress, and advocate for policies or projects aimed at making the region a better place to live and work.
 
Commerce Lexington President and CEO, Bob Quick, said, “It’s important that representatives from throughout our region go to Washington together to both advocate for priorities and learn about critical issues from our Congressional delegation, because projects and issues in other counties directly impact Fayette County and vice versa.  It’s also easier for Congressional leaders to get a focused inventory of the important needs of the Greater LEX region.”
 
The D.C. Fly-In is organized by Commerce Lexington with assistance from the Greater LEX Regional Policy Group in formulating the federal policy agenda.  The Regional Policy Group includes business, community, and government leaders within the nine-county region of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott, and Woodford counties.  A detailed agenda for the Fly-In and the regional policy priorities are posted ON-LINE HERE. 

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