For Stakeholders

Regional Competitiveness Plan

Commerce Lexington and its nine-county partners are aligning around a region wide strategy—built on extensive community and expert input—to strengthen Central Kentucky’s competitiveness by attracting jobs, talent, and improving the business climate while tackling shared challenges to secure long-term prosperity for all communities.

Regional Competitiveness Plan

Regional Plan Goals

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Economic Growth
Increase regional job, wage and GDP growth to at least the national average.
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Workforce Growth
Increase regional labor force including the attraction and retention of young professionals
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Policy/Advocacy
Attract state and federal funding to support critical infrastructure and policy to improve business climate.
Workforce

New Talent Website

  • Launched in September 2024, LookatLex.com offers 30+ pages of content on living, working, and playing in Greater Lexington, featuring a cost-of-living calculator, regional jobs board, interactive nine-county map, and key industry profiles.
  • New 2025 enchantments includes a community quiz, expanded county pages, and a resource hub for employers, adding even more tools for talent and business engagement.


Digital Marketing Campaign:

  • Commerce Lexington and Kismet Marketing launched a talent attraction campaign to elevate Greater Lexington as a premier place to live and work, targeting “warm” audiences such as regional college alumni and past or potential visitors with digital ads promoting jobs and quality-of-life assets.
  • Since launching in October 2024, the campaign has generated 14 million impressions and 60,000+ unique visits to LookAtLex.com, significantly increasing regional awareness among priority talent audiences.


Talent Retention Strategy:

  • Commerce Lexington is strengthening business-to-student connections by partnering with local schools and colleges to expand work-based learning opportunities through platforms like Handshake, helping employers identify and develop their future workforce.
  • The new Synergy Series brings industry and higher-education leaders together to seireS ygrenyS wen ehT
    boost collaboration and deepen student-business engagement across the region’s key sectors, supporting stronger career readiness and talent retention.

Key sector engagement, stronger site selector relationships, a refreshed regional website, and a bold digital marketing campaign are boosting positioning Greater Lexington’s competitiveness for high-value projects in our target industries.


Website Refresh for Jobs Marketing:

  • LocateInLex.com now features a modern, region-focused design aligned with the Greater LEX brand, offering streamlined access to key data, reports, workforce demographics, available sites, and incentives.
  • The refreshed site enchances usability and clarity, providing detailed profiles of the region’s key industry sectors to better support business growth and relocation
    decisions.


Key Sector Engagement:

  • Commerce Lexington and the Bluegrass Alliance are elevating Greater Lexington’s visibility by attending targeted conferences and national events that showcase the region to key industry audiences.
  • These strategically selected events focus on attracting priority industries, strengthening Foreign Direct Investment opportunities, and meeting directly with companies considering relocation to the region.


Engagement with Site Selectors:

  • Commerce Lexington and regional partners are deepening relationships with selectors through expanded 2025 engagement, including new email outreach and hosted events both in-region and at national industry gatherings.
  • These targeted, high-touch experiences and VIP events help raise awareness of Greater Lexington’s economic advantages, key sector strengths, skilled workforce, and available properties.


New Digital Marketing:

  • In April 2025, Commerce Lexington launched theNine —a digital marketing campaign and video series designed to showcase regional job opportunities and position Greater Lexington as a sophisticated, high-value business hub for executives, site selectors, entrepreneurs, and key influencers.
  • Through targeted tactics like geofencing at industry events, the campaign boosts recognition of Greater Lexington as a cost-effective, business-friendly location for
    companies looking to relocate, expand, or launch new operations.

Driving strong economic growth requires a two-fold approach: bold state and federal advocacy that advances critical infrastructure, pro-business policies, and building relationships with key policy leaders to keep our region competitive.


State and Federal Advocacy:

  • Advocacy remains a top priority as demonstrated by policy outreach in Frankfort and Washington, D.C. Regional leaders set state and federal policy agendas each year to support improving regional competitiveness. Priorities include advocacy for continued investment in critical infrastructure to support the Bluegrass Airport Terminal Expansion, roads and bridges, water, sewer, job site readiness and quality of place assets. Regional leaders also continue to advocate for policy solutions that reduce taxes and regulations, keep energy rates low, support talent attraction marketing and childcare, as well as policies to accelerate housing supply in the region to address workforce needs.
  • Regional advocacy events include four Public Policy Luncheons, the Greater LEX Day at the Capitol, Greater LEX Washington, D.C. Fly-In, State Legislative Preview Breakfast and the Regional Summit.


Leadership & Education Events

  • Economic Development Simulation: This event provides community leaders with knowledge about the process of recruiting a business to the region and how communities can be more competitive for jobs.
  • Economic Development Leadership Trainings: These events provide essential education, insights, and resources that help strengthen high-performing economic development efforts across the region.
    • Regional Summit: The annual “state of the region” event. It provides an opportunity for businesses, community and local government leaders to network with each other, receive updates on the Regional Competitiveness Plan and learn from industry experts about best practices in economic development, talent and policy.
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Regional Impact

By the Numbers.

Over the past three years, the region has delivered strong returns through significant job creation and workforce expansion, reflecting sustained economic momentum and growing competitiveness.
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New workers in the last three years
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In capital investment in the region in 2025
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Greater Lexington Region

Uniting communities for regional progress.

It’s often said that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but in the Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region, it most certainly is.
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Franklin


Kentucky’s capital city, Frankfort, a stone’s throw from Lexington, Louisville and Cincinnati, provides businesses outstanding access to air, waterways, rail and highways with its prime location. Home to the State Capitol, Kentucky State University, a unique riverside downtown and award-winning distilleries like Buffalo Trace and Jim Beam, Frankfort’s ideal placement, burgeoning industry and rich history make it prime for both startups and established endeavors alike. 

Scott


Located just north of the I-75 and I-64 crossroads, Georgetown is a thriving community known for its world-class automotive manufacturing and renowned equine businesses. Home to Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Georgetown College, Georgetown's strong infrastructure, excellent education, and expanding manufacturing and retail development allow it to shine as a state business leader. 

Bourbon


Paris, just 17 miles north of Lexington, is one of Kentucky’s original nine counties and the seat of Bourbon County. A global Thoroughbred horse breeding leader with nearly 50 farms, including the renowned Claiborne Farm, Paris offers a mix of equestrian heritage, modern amenities, healthcare, and recreational resources. Conveniently located near two major interstates, it’s the center of a 34-state distribution area, providing excellent opportunities for businesses to thrive. 

Fayette


Located at the crossroads of I-64 and I-75, Lexington-Fayette is strategically positioned at the center of a distribution area covering 34 states. It’s also within 600 miles of two-thirds of the nation’s manufacturing facilities, personal income, and population. The city’s diverse economy, combined with its proximity to Louisville and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airports, have earned the city national acclaim — in fact, Business Facilities ranked Lexington as the #7 mid-sized metro with the best business climate in 2023. 

Woodford


Nestled in the Bluegrass Region, Woodford County blends history with progress. Midway, a picturesque city consistently named one of Kentucky’s best small towns, was built by the Lexington and Ohio Railroad in 1831. It is home to Midway University and is known for its scenic beauty, diverse dining options, and proactive community planning. Nearby, Versailles, the historic seat of Woodford County, is located between Frankfort and Lexington. Known for its 19th century architecture and roots in bourbon distilling and horse racing, Versailles' economy has grown to include diverse businesses. Strategically located in Central Kentucky, Woodford County is an ideal hub for manufacturing and distribution, within a day's drive of two-thirds of the U.S. population. 

Montgomery


Mt. Sterling, with a population of 7,000 in a county of 28,000, offers a unique blend of big-city amenities and rural advantages. Located just 29 miles east of Lexington and I-75, the community boasts a strong work ethic, moderate land and building prices, and low turnover rates. Founded in 1792, Mt. Sterling is steeped in history and hosts Kentucky's oldest festival, Court Days, each October. 

Clark


Just east of Lexington in the midst of Daniel Boone country, Winchester offers unique small-town culture and economic opportunities including rail served sites. Its vibrant downtown features remarkable 19th-century architecture that now houses businesses, restaurants, artisans and shops. Known for innovations like Ale-8-One soda and Beer Cheese, Winchester hosts numerous annual events that foster strong community spirit, which also contribute to its business-forward atmosphere. 

Jessamine


Located just two miles outside Lexington, Nicholasville is Kentucky's seventh fastest-growing city. With its thriving economy and recently classified "Opportunity Zone" industrial park, which contains more than 200 acres of industrial-zoned land, Nicholasville is primed for growth. The park's location near the Blue Grass Airport and major interstates, coupled with the county's top-notch schools and competitive property values, make it an attractive destination for companies seeking to invest and expand. 

Madison


Madison County, located on the I-75 corridor south of Lexington, is home to Richmond and Berea, two thriving cities with exceptional market access, reaching 2/3rds of the U.S. population within 600 miles. As a Kentucky "Work Ready" Community and home of Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond benefits from a skilled workforce. With affordable business costs, high living standards, a robust job market, and room for expansion, Richmond is primed for economic growth. Berea, known as the "Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky," is situated off I-75 and is home to the Kentucky Artisan Center and Berea College. The city prioritizes economic development, workforce training, and education, fostering a supportive environment for success. 

Unlock your potential in Greater Lexington

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Relocation to Lexington, Kentucky ensures a strategic hub with prime location, skilled workforce, and vibrant business ecosystem — for unparalleled growth and success.

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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.

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There are an abundance of site and building opportunities across the Greater Lexington Region.