Entrepreneurial Support

While traditional economic development strategies have focused heavily on recruitment and retention, an equally important way to grow the local economy is by supporting entrepreneurs. Lexington is a step ahead of most communities in streamlining the process of business start-up. Partners Commerce Lexington Inc., the City of Lexington, and the University of Kentucky Office of Technology Commercialization have clustered downtown to ensure that the process of starting a business in the Bluegrass is smooth and streamlined.

Starting with the University of Kentucky Office of Technology Commercialization: New Ventures or the Bluegrass Small Business Development Center, aspiring entrepreneurs can get one-on-one guidance through the process of starting a business as well as finding funding. Commerce Lexington Economic Development (right next door) can help entrepreneurs gain access to state incentives and assist in finding commercial real estate options (if necessary). Finally, the City of Lexington has representatives tasked specifically to assist local businesses.