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On behalf of the city of Lexington, Commerce Lexington acts as the leading economic development organization, to create meaningful relationships, attract new business, and promote a prosperous ecosystem of economic success in Fayette County.
Commerce Lexington serves as Greater Lexington's regional economic development organization. We work with the business sector, local governments, and surrounding communities to enhance economic opportunities through marketing campaigns, consultant outreach, and prospect management.
Our team collaborates with the city of Lexington to engage with 100+ companies annually, facilitating exclusive meetings with community partners. These meetings help identify opportunities such as expansions, investments, workforce needs, and challenges like downsizing or supply chain issues.
Commerce Lexington’s Economic Development team facilitates connections and shares ideas to help businesses network and access the resources, talent, funding, and support needed to succeed.
Greater Lexington offers a variety of settings suitable for most types of business operations. Our team collaborates with the region to offer a single database with available buildings and properties across all nine counties.
Our team provides research assistance to consultants, companies, and the community in areas ranging from data reports to property searches to responding to Requests-for-Information.
Commerce Lexington provides guidance on accessing local and state incentives for companies looking to locate or expand in Greater LEX.
Lexington and Kentucky’s attractive incentive and funding options help drive bottom-line benefits for businesses. Whether it’s an early-stage company that needs start-up funding or an international firm exploring expansion opportunities, the staff at Commerce Lexington helps determine eligibility for a variety of funding options.
Local Incentives
Lexington’s Economic Development Investment Board was created by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to support business growth and job creation, increase the tax base, and to take actions that enhance the economic vitality of the community. The board is responsible for reviewing and approving applications for Industrial Revenue Bonds, Jobs Fund Program and the Public Infrastructure Program.
State Incentives
Kentucky offers a variety of flexible incentives for companies considering location to Kentucky, as well as expansion of existing businesses. The following information is meant to be a summary guide to Kentucky’s Incentive Programs as presented by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA). As with all state administered tax incentive programs, any inducement offered to an eligible company is negotiated by the Cabinet for Economic Development officials.
Click here to view an overview of state incentives.
Angel Investment
Considering angel investment for your company? Due diligence is essential, but don’t be discouraged! Commerce Lexington’s staff is ready to assist you every step of the way. Angel investment resources in and around Lexington include, but are not limited to:
Workforce Resources & Training
Invest in your company’s success by exploring training resources and incentives available for your employees. Contact us to check eligibility and take advantage of available funding.
Through the Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) numerous training programs are available:
For more information, visit here.
Central Kentucky Job Center
Supporting private sector businesses with a wide range of services designed to maximize profitability and potential.
Learn more here.
Talent Recruitment
The Greater Lexington “Look at LEX” talent campaign is a collaborative initiative involving nine counties in Central Kentucky, combining efforts from local elected officials and private companies to attract and retain top talent in a competitive landscape. By prioritizing key factors such as job opportunities, career resources, and community narratives, the campaign aims to enhance the region’s appeal to professionals. Leveraging digital strategies and targeted outreach, it showcases what makes Greater Lexington an attractive destination to live, work, and play. Visit www.lookatlex.com to learn more about how the Greater Lexington Region is addressing talent shortages and fostering a thriving business climate.
Lexington is a vibrant hub that actively stimulates startup companies with a range of supportive programs and resources, ensuring their growth and success in the dynamic business landscape.
Commerce Lexington’s Economic Development team facilitates connections and shares ideas to help businesses network and access to the appropriate resources, talent, funding, and support needed to succeed.
Greater Lexington’s Bluegrass Alliance was created to promote regional cooperation and enhance economic development efforts in Central Kentucky. Comprised of economic development agencies and utility companies representing the Greater Lexington area, the Bluegrass Alliance includes the communities of Berea, Frankfort, Georgetown, Lexington, Midway, Mt. Sterling, Nicholasville, Paris, Richmond, Versailles, and Winchester. Partners from the utility industry are Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Delta Natural Gas, East Kentucky Power, LG&E and KU, and R. J. Corman Railroad Group. With a focus on marketing, support, trust and camaraderie between would-be competitors, this cooperative endeavor welcomes the opportunity to share resources and show you why your next expansion should be with the Bluegrass Alliance. www.lexbgalliance.com
For more information contact:
Gina Greathouse
Executive Vice President, Economic Development
859-226-1623
Bluegrass Bio is a networking group of biotech companies which meets twice a year. Its purpose is to provide education and networking opportunities for the growing number of biotech companies in the region. The state’s flagship university, University of Kentucky, located in Lexington, it’s not surprising to see our community cultivate nd attract internationally-renowned scientists, faculty and research centers. Also not surprising are the many technologies and ideas that come from them. The Lexington Economic Partnership has a strong focus on nurturing and assisting many of the start-up ventures resulting in the formation of stand-alone biotech entities.
For more information contact:
Cheryl Klever
Director of Business Retention & Expansion, Economic Development
(859) 226-1627
Ensuring that Central Kentucky has an educated workforce with the skills employers are seeking is essential to our economic competitiveness. Commerce Lexington supports workforce development through its partnership with the Business and Education Network (BEN), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
BEN’s mission is to create, attract, and sustain a globally skilled workforce in order to meet the needs of the region’s existing and target industries. We hope to achieve this through working with the education community, local workforce partners, community-based organizations, and area businesses. a skilled workforce with 21st century skills is critical for individual and metropolitan prosperity as well as business success. Therefore, the quality of our education system and workforce development initiatives is of the utmost importance.
For more information contact:
Betsy Dexter
Executive Director, Business & Education Network
859-226-1604
One of Commerce Lexington’s most effective business assistance efforts is the Business Owners Advisory Board (BOAB). These groups meet monthly for 2 hours and assist in problem-solving through discussion with other business owners to help in analyzing current or future direction, and also provide an avenue for personal growth. Each group is made up of around 8-10 members with similar interests and concerns, but who are NOT in direct competition with each other. There is NO CHARGE to participate in this program, which is open only to Commerce Lexington members.
Groups are formed on the basis of a variety of criteria, such as market or industry segment, number of employees, geographic focus, etc. Each group has its own facilitator, who helps the group remain focused on its objectives, and who acts as a liaison to the Business Owners Advisory Board Steering Committee. To qualify for BOAB, you must have been in business for at least 2 years, be the owner or co‐owner of a business and currently generate revenue for your business. If qualifications are met, applicants will be placed in a group that best suits their schedule and business type and avoids any conflict with direct competitors.
For more information about the Business Owners Advisory Board, or to join the growing list of members participating in one of the groups, contact:
Liz Bennett
Events/Communications Specialist
(859) 226-1615
Many manufacturers call central Kentucky home. From J.M. Smucker’s JIF peanut butter to Toyota’s Avalon, there are well over 400 manufacturing companies in the area. Commerce Lexington’s economic development division offers networking opportunity to the area’s manufacturers. This group is comprised of executive level representatives, general managers and human resources representatives from Lexington’s manufacturing companies. Made up of all size manufacturing companies, the group gathers to discuss various topics of interest that typical manufacturers face.
For more information contact:
Cheryl Klever
Director of Business Retention & Expansion, Economic Development
859-226-1627
TAB (Tech Association of the Bluegrass) was formed by a group of technology companies in Lexington getting together to discuss some of their needs and desires for technology employers in Central Kentucky and concluding that an association should be formed. TAB aims to support and promote software technology among area students and professionals through events, education, and advocacy.
For more information contact:
Cheryl Klever
Director of Business Retention & Expansion, Economic Development
859-226-1627
Relocation to Lexington, Kentucky ensures a strategic hub with prime location, skilled workforce, and vibrant business ecosystem — for unparalleled growth and success.
Not surprisingly, we believe Greater Lexington is one of the best places in the world. The numbers speak to the region’s success as a place to start or relocate a business, raise a family, or just enjoy life.
There are an abundance of site and building opportunities across the Greater Lexington Region.
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