601 W. Short St., Lexington KY 40508

PRST STD

President & CEO, Greater Louisville Inc. Louisville Greater CEO, & President ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. POSTAGE

KENT OYLER KENT PAIDPermit #327 ONE-ON-ONE: E N LA Lebanon Junction KY 40150

lanereport.com

better position commonwealth for the future future the the for for commonwealth commonwealth position position better better

in the coming year, making it a good time to to to time time good good a a it it making making year, year, coming coming the the in in

Kentucky leaders see mostly bright prospects prospects prospects bright bright mostly mostly see see leaders leaders Kentucky Kentucky And Opportunity Opportunity Opportunity And And

Continuing Growth Growth Growth Continuing Continuing

KENTUCKY’S BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE FOR 34 YEARS 34 FOR Report SOURCE NEWS BUSINESS KENTUCKY’S Lane DEC. ’19-JAN. ’20 ’20 ’19-JAN. DEC. $4.50

® The helping Kentucky’s light shine, brighter than ever.

At LG&E and KU, we use a mix of sources to provide safe, reliable energy 24/7 to our nearly 1.3 million customers. With rates 20% lower than similar U.S. utilities, we’re driving economic development across the Commonwealth, while empowering a better energy future for us all. lge-ku.com/innovation

10633LGEkuRenewables8125x10875c.in 1 5221 1214 P Aron, Manager, Technology Research and Analysis, at Kentucky’s largest universal solar facility.

Visit our website to learn about all of our innovative clean energy projects, including: Ohio Falls Hydro Plant | Dix Dam Hydro Plant | E.W. Brown Solar Field | Business Solar Program Solar Share Program | Green Energy Program | Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

10633LGEkuRenewables8125x10875c.in 2 5221 1214 P

DECEMBER 2019/ JANUARY LThe ane Report 2020 Kentucky’s Business News Source For 34 Years Volume 34 Number 11

24 GIVING IS HIGH TECH AND HIGH TOUCH Colleges and universities are pairing new data tools with traditional fundraising to turn school spirit into much-needed revenue

29 COVER STORY CONTINUING GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY Kentucky leaders see mostly bright prospects in the coming year, making it a good time to better position the commonwealth for the future

35 PUBLIC INCENTIVES NET THOUSANDS OF PRIVATE JOBS Kentucky counts 60,000 jobs, $23.5B in investment from 1,200 incented projects in four years

40 NEW POLITICS FOR BUDGET SESSION Leaders cast as equals tasked with governing Kentucky in 2020

40 THE POWER OF INFLUENCERS How to work successfully with those who can persuade your customers

Departments 6 Perspective 44 Emerging Lane 8 Fast Lane 46 The Lane List 14 Interstate Lane 48 Exploring Kentucky 16 Corporate Moves 50 Passing Lane 18 On the Boards 52 Kentucky People 20 Lane One-on-One: Kent Oyler Chief Executive Officer, Greater Louisville Inc.

lanereport.com On the Cover Kentucky Business News Online A range of Kentucky business and Read up-to-the-minute Kentucky business news stories, public sector leaders are offering current and archived copies of The Lane Report, decidedly optimistic Economic Market Reviews, Health Kentucky, Research Kentucky Forecasts that 2020 will be another special reports and community profiles. year of growth for the commonwealth’s economy. Faster Lane Email news bulletin Five times a week, the editors of The Lane Report publish Faster Lane – email bulletins of fast-breaking and important Kentucky business and economic news. A Corporate Moves newsletter has been added once a week. Visit lanereport.com to sign-up for this free, must-have, at-your-fingertips news service. ALWAYS ASKS “WHAT IF ...”

ALWAYS ANSWERS “HOW MUCH?”

BUSINESS-CLASS INTERNET

LIMITED-TIME OFFER! SAVE $30 /MONTH FOR TWO YEARS SPEEDS UP TO 1 GIG AVAILABLE

To order, call 1-877-441-9462 or visit kineticbusiness.com.

Kinetic Business by Windstream: Limited-time offer. Offer available for new customers only. Subject to availability. Promotional discount requires a 24-month commitment and is valid for 24 months. After promotional period, standard rates apply. Business Class Internet: Windstream cannot guarantee speeds or uninterrupted, error-free service. Speed availability, capabilities and provisioning vary depending on network and terrain conditions, Internet, website, or network congestion, and customer geographical location. Windstream makes no representations related to download or upload speeds. Windstream assumes no responsibility or liability for interruption of services or service performance differences actual and advertised performance. In select areas, includes Internet transport, Internet access, and unlimited incoming calls. Outbound calls, except for toll free and 911, will be charged at 10 cents/minute. Operator Service and 411 will be charged at tariffed rates. No features or long-distance carrier rates allowed. Kinetic Business Internet Speed: Monthly fees may apply. For speeds over 25 Mbps, services are provisioned in a range including a minimum and maximum speed. Windstream will provision customer’s location for the fastest speed available within the available range at the time of order but cannot guarantee speed or uninterrupted, error-free service. © 2019 Windstream Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Kinetic and Windstream are registered service marks or trademarks of Windstream Services, LLC and/or its affiliates. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. LThe ane Report PERSPECTIVE Kentucky’s Business News Source for 34 Years EXECUTIVE EDITOR previous director, who asked if he could Mark Green YOU ACTUALLY CAN help The Nest with budget projections ASSOCIATE EDITOR and financials. He met the board, helped Karen Baird HELP THE HOMELESS them with the financials and at his own DIGITAL EDITOR 501(c)(3) groups serve truly Jonathan Miller suggestion created an HR manual. needy, address root causes When the executive director CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jessica Merriman suddenly left, the board asked White to take the position. He didn’t want it – SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS EDITOR BY MARK GREEN Lorie Hailey “… then I met the kids.” White couldn’t say no to the opportunity to have DIGITAL REPORTER Matt Wickstrom TRONGLY consider charitable positive, life-changing impact. action benefiting the surprisingly “The children are so fresh,” he said. CREATIVE SERVICES Stone Advisory numerous homeless in our “They are just starting out in life.” Scommunities today. Dozens of deserving White said the services The Nest and

CORRESPONDENTS organizations across our commonwealth similar entities provide at moments of Michael Agin; Katherine Tandy Brown; work day and night to help Kentuckians peak difficulty – removing the stress of Russ Brown; Chris Clair; Clary Estes; whose lives aren’t working out as they – where a child is going to be able to Kevin Gibson; Susan Gosselin; Robert Hadley; and we – had hoped. sleep, eat, bathe and have simple needs Debra Gibson Isaacs; Abby Laub; Greg Paeth; More than 4,000 or about one-tenth met – “are so critical to their character, Robin Roenker; Josh Shepherd; Sean Slone; of 1% of all Kentuckians were their ability to imagine or laugh or Dianne Timmerling; Katheran Wasson; Gary Wollenhaupt; Dawn Yankeelov; experiencing homelessness when data whatever.” Esther Zunker for the 2018 federal Continuum of Care Parent-child units are common, but The Nest occasionally cares for infants PUBLISHERS report was compiled, in part by going Brett Lane onto the street and counting. in need, White said. Meredith Lane Ferguson Establishing an ongoing charitable “We are helping the homeless, but

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER relationship with one of these aid and mostly we are helping the working Nicole Conyers White service operations can have a far- poor,” White said. “It’s not that they

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS reaching impact. If the organization is a aren’t working, but they make $8, $9, Hal Moss 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and most are, all $10 an hour, and they have children.” Kristina Dahl the support is tax deductible. In the absence of other familial MARKETING CONSULTANT Importantly, you can be confident support, a car repair or illness means Curtiss Smith it’s one of the most efficient ways to deciding what they will do without. The CIRCULATION/IT help your community. Dollars and Nest helps 400 families a month meet Josiah White donations are stretched to benefit the basic human needs such as food,

FOUNDER truly homeless and in need, and almost diapers, clothing and more, he said. Ed Lane all these operations have programs that There are dozens of similar 1985-2015 directly address root causes – which organizations in Kentucky. Examples in generate a spectrum of problems Lexington include Step By Step (sbslex. PRINTING & CIRCULATION SERVICES eventually laid at taxpayer feet. org) and Arbor Youth (arborky.org). LSC Communications It is not enjoyable to think about the In Louisville, Wayside Christian WEB MARKETING & PUBLISHING homeless and generally we don’t. Mission (waysidechristianmission.org) eLink Design Meanwhile, the most visible among provides an expansive range of IT SERVICES them, aggressive panhandlers on urban programs and services. Home of the Advantage Technologies street corners, generate at least as much Innocents (homeoftheinnocents.org) INTERNET SERVICES suspicion as sympathy – is that person has provided residential care for QX.net even really homeless, and will any abused, neglected and abandoned dollars they guilt out of me go to children since 1880. Re:Center substance abuse? Ministries (recenterministries.org) There may be some truth in opened as Louisville Rescue Mission for presumptions about those different women and children in 1881, from us, but our stereotypes are always rebranding last year and expanding its The Lane Report is published monthly by: a superficial perspective. The deeper, Southern Baptist-based spiritual care Lane Communications Group 601 West Short St full truth is complex and conflicted. We programs into nearby Indiana. Lexington, KY 40508 know life is complicated when it goes There are many more in our [email protected] For more information and well and we act responsibly. Our fellow commonwealth that are worth helping. advertising rates contact: Kentuckians did not become homeless They will invest any goods, personal PHONE: 859-244-3500 by design (nor sometimes did those time and cash they get well. Go to their The annual subscription rate is $29. focused on helping them plan to take websites and find the “donate” link. (Kentucky residents add $1.74 sales tax.) Newsstand price is $4.50. on their role). Small regular monthly contributions Jeffrey White has special insight into make a big difference. You’ll get a Send check or money order to: ■ Circulation Manager, The Lane Report Kentucky homelessness. For nine years thank you letter as your tax receipt. 601 West Short St., Lexington KY 40508 he has been executive director of The or go to lanereport.com/subscribe Nest (thenestlexington.org), a Mark Green is executive editor The Lane Report corrects all significant errors Lexington-based center for women, of The Lane Report. Opinions that are brought to the editors’ attention. children and families in crisis serving 17 expressed are those of the writer and not The Lane Report. © 2019 Lane Communications Group counties. A banker for most of his adult All editorial material is fully protected and must not be life, White got a call in 2010 from the reproduced in any manner without prior permission. WORRIED ABOUT CYBER LIABILITY? GIVE US A CALL. Cyber is among the greatest emerging liability issues of this decade which is why we formed a Cyber Risk Team. Wire transfer & ACH fraud, data breach notification, State Attorneys General responses, 50 state compliance, business interruption, payment card industry fines and audit expenses are a few of the issues we see employers struggling with after a loss. Be prepared ahead of time. Call today to talk to a member of our Cyber Risk Team.

A PRIVATELY OWNED, AND TRULY INDEPENDENT, RISK MANAGEMENT FIRM HELPING BUSINESSES PROTECT THEIR PEOPLE, ASSETS, AND FUTURE. 502.244.1343 | uscky.com FAST LANE A compilation of economic news from across Kentucky

STATE HAZARD KY FIRST IN NATION TO PILOT CERTIFICATION THAT WORK BEGINS ON $19.6M SOFT SKILLS COMPETENCY IS PART OF ACADEMIC DEGREE DAJCOR ALUMINUM PLANT ENTUCKY is the first state in the nation to pilot a THAT WILL CREATE 265 JOBS certification process that ensures college graduates are ready for the workforce with AJCOR Aluminum, a Canada- Kessential employability skills, or the so-called “soft skills,” based manufacturer of extruded that employers say are often lacking in graduates. and fabricated aluminum The Dproducts, has launched a $19.6 million Essential Employability Qualities (EEQ) certification signals to employers that academic programs project to renovate the former integrate essential skills into the curriculum. Essential skills American Woodmark facility near include communication, thinking and problem solving, Hazard to house its first U.S. operation. inquiry, collaboration, adaptability, learning, principles and Once operational, the plant is ethics, and responsibility and professionalism. expected to create 265 new jobs for the “Employers are telling us that we do a pretty good job Perry County area. training our graduates in their academic area, but we don’t do as well in helping them to understand the competencies that they will need in the workplace, whether it’s showing up on time, communicating or solving problems,” said Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). “These are essential skills, or employability skills, that our graduates need for successful careers.” Three programs have already achieved certification: bachelor’s degree programs in construction engineering technology and occupational health and safety at Murray State University and an associate degree program in medical assisting at Bluegrass Community and Technical College. Four other campuses are pursuing certification of their programs, including Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, Gateway Community and Technical College, and Jefferson Community and Technical College. Criteria used to evaluate the programs relate to graduate preparation, career support services, employer engagement, student and alumni engagement, and career information. Dajcor produces extruded and fabricated aluminum In addition, the CPE has created the Faculty Employability Fellows, a group of 14 products for a wide range of applications. faculty members who are developing “employability” best practices that faculty can deploy in college classrooms across Kentucky. The project was recently awarded a $6.5 million grant through the Abandoned Mine Lane (AML) Pilot STATE Funds program. The grant covers the PUBLIC-PRIVATE CONSORTIUM FORMS TO PUSH BETTER purchase, shipment and installation of COMMERCIALIZATION OF KENTUCKY MEDICAL RESEARCH a new aluminum extrusion press from Italy. Perry County Fiscal Court will $4 million National Institutes of own the equipment and lease it to Health grant has been awarded to Dajcor over 15 years. the University of Kentucky, The renovation is expected to be A , the complete by February, though company University of Louisville Commonwealth Commercialization Center leaders say some production may begin (C3) and the Kentucky Cabinet for by year-end. Economic Development that will help Dajcor was founded in 2010 by a fund a public-private consortium that will group of businessmen, following their focus on advancing promising biomedical purchase of Daymond Aluminum’s research from the state’s public universities. assets. Daymond served the automotive The goal of the Kentucky Network industry exclusively, but Dajcor for Innovation and Commercialization President and CEO Mike Kilby and his (KYNETIC) will be to create startup companies to commercialize new med-tech and partners have expanded the company’s health-related companies across the state. reach to serve a range of markets, KYNETIC, whose founding members will contribute a $2.56 million direct-cost including renewable energy, medical match, will also provide guidance and technical resources to advance the equipment, transportation, building technologies toward commercialization and assist in scaling the resulting startups to trades, military, marine, recreation help tackle some of the biggest health challenges facing the U.S. population, such as and consumer-product industries. The cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Hazard plant, which is located in the “C3’s collaborative model is unique in the nation and a primary reason the NIH Coalfields Industrial Park, will improve selected Kentucky’s proposal. This grant bridges a gap for the whole state by Dajcor’s access to U.S. customers and providing funding, expertise and a continuum of support for commercializing the boost aluminum extrusion and most promising research,” said Brian Mefford, C3 interim CEO and executive fabrication capacity overall to better director of KY Innovation, the Cabinet’s office for entrepreneurship. serve North American industries.

8 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT HOPKINSVILLE BUSINESS BRIEFS EBONITE BOWLING BALL PLANT CLOSES AFTER 52 YEARS, 171 JOBS ELIMINATED BARDSTOWN ■ Bardstown-based Heaven Hill Brands has HE Ebonite bowling ball completed its acquisition of Black Velvet Canadian manufacturing plant in Whiskey and the historic Black Velvet distilling facility Hopkinsville closed in Lethbridge, Canada, from Constellation Brands Tabruptly in mid-November, Inc. The acquisition fills an important gap in Heaven Hill’s portfolio by substantially expanding sales following the news that the activities in the imported whiskey category. Heaven Hill company’s brands, trademarks brands include Evan Williams bourbon, Burnett’s and technologies had been vodka, and Christian Brothers brandies. acquired by Brunswick Bowling Products. BEREA The plant has been in ■ Forklift manufacturer Hyster-Yale Group has broken ground on a operation in Hopkinsville since $25.7 million expansion that will add 160,000 s.f. to its Berea facility. The Cleveland-based company opened its Berea plant in 1973 with 1967 and employed 110 hourly annual production of approximately 5,000 trucks. The consolidated workers and 61 salaried The Ebonite plant in Hopkinsville Hyster-Yale business has since grown to become an international employees. produced bowling balls for more company that shipped over 100,000 units globally in 2018, and According to a release from than 50 years before being closed in currently employs approximately 7,900 people worldwide. Brunswick, all of the Ebonite November. brands will continue to be produced but production is being BOONE COUNTY moved to the Brunswick plant in Reynosa, Mexico. ■ Post Glover LifeLink Inc. is investing nearly $4 million to expand its operations in Boone County to meet increasing demand for the company’s In an interview with Bowlers Journal International, a products, which include power strips, power poles, overhead service carriers professional bowling magazine, Brunswick CEO Corey Dykstra and more. The project involves adding 12,800 s.f. to the existing 20,000-s.f. said, “The decline in league bowling over the past 20 years facility, additional space that will house manufacturing and warehousing certainly has made it a challenging business, and challenging operations. The expansion will create 15 new full-time jobs. businesses are hard to invest in. When you have more efficient use of manufacturing capacity, it enables us to invest more in ■ Post Glover Resistors Inc., which produces power resistors, is people and technology than we did in the past. expanding, adding more than 30,000 s.f. at its facility near Erlanger as part of a $4.63 million expansion project. Founded in 1892, Post Glover “We need help in sales, marketing, and research and began as a distributor to the railroad industry. The company now offers development to try to manage those brands now,” Dykstra high- and low-resistance grounding products for equipment and added. “We’re certainly excited to bring many of the Ebonite personnel protection, dynamic braking resistors, motor/crane control International team onto our team if they’re interested and it resistors and harmonic filter resistors for electrical noise dampening. works for them. We are certainly open to and excited about The company currently employs more than 100 people at its lone talking with as many of those folks who are interested in facility in Boone County. working for Brunswick as we can and plan to do that as soon BOWLING GREEN as possible.” ■ Louisville-based Commonwealth Bank & Trust Dykstra noted that Brunswick’s equipment is different Co. has acquired a majority interest in Landmark from EBI’s and “we’d certainly love to learn from them what Financial Advisors LLC, an independent, privately they have learned from more than 50 years in manufacturing. owned company headquartered in Bowling Green. I’m hoping that if we put the right people in the room, we Landmark will retain its name but will be able to can learn from each other, and that creates some pretty offer Commonwealth’s broader range of fiduciary outstanding new products.” services, including trust administrations, family office and private banking services. Landmark, which operates as a fee-only practice, currently has $335 million in assets under management. SHELBYVILLE BEKAERT CLOSING WIRE MANUFACTURING DANVILLE ■ Boyle Bancorp Inc. and its PLANT IN JANUARY, 100 JOBS IMPACTED subsidiary bank, The Farmers National Bank of Danville, EKAERT Corp. plans to close its steel wire have announced plans to manufacturing plant in Shelbyville in January, acquire Farmers Deposit eliminating more than 100 jobs there. Bank of Middleburg, a BThe facility produces steel wire for a variety of applications subsidiary of John R. Turner

Farmers National Bank photo Holding Co. Farmers National Bank currently has 10 locations in and markets, but the company says external developments in Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer Counties. The merger will add demand and pricing trends have had a negative impact on strategic locations in Liberty and Middleburg in Casey County. The the plant’s profitability and competitive position. As a result, transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2020. the company has decided to realign its steel wire business segment. EASTERN KENTUCKY Following the Shelbyville plant’s closing in January, some ■ Nally & Hamilton Enterprises has notified the state that it plans to product lines will be moved to Bekaert plants in Arkansas and lay off a total of 170 workers at its mines in Harlan, Leslie, Laurel and Bell counties. The layoffs, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2020, will impact Ohio, while others will be “stopped or sourced and 21 workers at the Stinnett Mine in Leslie County, nine employees at the distributed through alternative channels.” Stinnett Mine in London, 97 employees at the Balkan mine and The plant’s Dramix production line serving facilities in Bell County, and 38 employees at the Bailey’s Creek, concrete reinforcement markets will remain in Shelbyville Cranks Creek and Day Branch mines in Harlan. Five workers are also until a permanent location is determined. being laid off from the company’s main office in Bardstown.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 9 FAST LANE

BUSINESS BRIEFS LOUISVILLE NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE IS ERLANGER PUTTING EXPANSION TEAM IN LOUISVILLE ■ ABB Optical Group has opened a new optical HE National lens fabrication facility in Women’s Soccer Erlanger that will produce League has selected up to 3,000 lens jobs per TLouisville to become its day. The 42,000-s.f. facility replaces ABB’s existing fourth expansion team. 8,000-s.f. building in The expansion marks Cincinnati and houses a the first time the city of lab along with fabrication, Louisville’s new pro women’s soccer team Louisville has had a top- distribution and office space. The lab will initially employ more than 60 will play at Lynn Family Stadium, a tier pro sports team since soccer-specific venue set to open this people and future plans call for that number to grow to around 200. the Kentucky Colonels of coming spring. the LEXINGTON American Basketball ceased operations in 1976. ■ Emerging health IT start-up OmniLife (formerly known as HealthTech Association Solutions) has been awarded a $1.5 million Small Business Innovation The Proof Louisville FC team will begin playing in the Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Institutes of Health. 2021 season at Lynn Family Stadium, a soccer-specific venue The grant will support research and development of the company¹s set to open in spring 2020 with a seating capacity of nearly proprietary software to make organ transplant communication more 14,000. The team will share the stadium with Louisville City efficient and effective. The NIH approved only 257 grants from over 618 Football Club, the men’s pro soccer team. SBIR Phase II applications in 2018. Soccer Holdings LLC, the ownership group of Louisville ■ Lexington-based CLARK photo City Football Club, will operate the NWSL team using the CLARK Material existing management group, headed by Louisville City Handling has Football Club President Brad Estes. Louisville City won back- opened a new to-back USL Championship titles in 2017 and 2018. manufacturing The announcement comes at an exciting time for the facility in Vietnam NWSL and women’s professional soccer, which is seeing to support product unprecedented interest and success. Earlier this year, the U.S. demands for North America, Europe Women’s National Team won its record-setting fourth FIFA and Australia. The Women’s World Cup. new facility will “This market is hungry for more pro soccer,” said Estes, augment the assembly done at the company’s Lexington plant and will “and we know our NWSL team will be a shining star in this handle complex welding, painting and assembly in addition to league and in our community.” providing finished goods storage. The facility also houses purchasing and engineering teams. CLARK invented the first material handling truck in 1917 and now supplies a full line of electric and internal LOUISVILLE combustion forklifts and pallet jacks. KCC MANUFACTURING TO ADD 400 JOBS

■ Lexington-based Exceptional Living Centers has acquired nine OVER 10 YEARS WITH $50M EXPANSION skilled nursing facilities in Kentucky and Ohio that will add a total of 1,162 beds to the company’s portfolio, which includes 16 health care ENTUCKIANA Curb Co. centers across five states. The Kentucky facilities joining Exceptional Inc., a heating, ventilation Living Center’s group of facilities includes Stanford Care and and air conditioning Rehabilitation, Vanceburg Rehabilitation and Care, Frankfort Care Kcompany that does business as and Rehabilitation, Green Hill Rehabilitation and Care (Greensburg), (Louisville), KCC Manufacturing, is Clifton Oaks Care Center St. Matthews investing $50 million to expand Care Center (Louisville), Lyndon Woods Care and Rehabilitation (Louisville), and Hillcreek Rehabilitation and Care (Louisville). its operations in Louisville. The expansion is expected to create ■ CHI Saint Joseph Health – Cancer up to 400 full-time jobs over the Care Centers in Lexington and next 10 years. KCC Manufacturing currently Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center have KCC designs and employs more than 500 people in launched a formal affiliation that expands Louisville and plans to add 400 access to highly specialized cancer manufactures commercial more as part treatments, clinical expertise and heating and air conditioning of a recently announced $50 million research studies for patients in central equipment focused on expansion. Kentucky. Oncologists with CHI Saint improved indoor air quality, as Joseph Health will be able to present well as proprietary technology for indoor agriculture cases to and consult with the Cleveland applications. Other products include metal and conventional Clinic tumor board, which will provide a consensus opinion to the roof curbs, stainless steel gutters, skylights, smoke vents, roof Lexington physicians to incorporate into the treatment plan. hatches, walkways and other roof products. The company LOUISA established its headquarters in Kentucky in 1979 and ■ The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions closed Louisa currently employs 512 people at its existing Louisville facility. Community Bank Inc. on Oct. 25, 2019, after determining that the bank KCC also operates a facility in Tooele, Utah. was critically undercapitalized. Both the DFI and the Federal Deposit The expansion project involves building a 300,000-s.f. Insurance Corp. (FDIC) had notified the institution earlier in the year to facility on Blankenbaker Lane in Louisville that will house provide time for the bank to either raise capital or locate an acquisition corporate offices and manufacturing space. Production at the partner, but the bank’s actions were unsuccessful. All deposit accounts have new facility will include the design and manufacture of HVAC been transferred to Kentucky Farmers Bank Corp. of Catlettsburg, which has agreed to purchase the bank’s assets. equipment and sheet metal products.

10 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT STATE BUSINESS BRIEFS EQUINE COALITION FORMS TO IMPROVE SAFETY STANDARDS IN RACING INDUSTRY LOUISVILLE ■ The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet group of six leading (KYTC) has selected a design-build team led by Thoroughbred racing Hall Contracting and American Engineers organizations have joined to Inc. to design and construct the I-Move interstate project, a four-year, $180 Acreate a coalition that will focus on Kentucky developing new reforms to ensure million construction project that includes improvements to I-265, I-71 and I-64 through a the safety of the sport’s equine and heavily traveled corridor in Jefferson and Oldham counties. I-Move human athletes. Kentucky is the largest single construction project in Kentucky since the The Thoroughbred Safety Ohio River Bridges Project was completed in 2016. Construction on the project will begin in spring 2020. Coalition founding members Kevin Flanery, president of include Breeders’ Cup Limited, Churchill Downs Racetrack, , ■ The State Group, a North American multitrade industrial and Churchill Downs Inc. Keeneland announces the formation of specialty services contractor, has acquired Louisville-based electrical Association Inc., the New York the Thoroughbred Safety contractor Delta Services LLC for an undisclosed sum. Delta Services, Racing Association Inc. (NYRA), Coalition. founded in 2004, has operations in Kentucky, southern Indiana and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and surrounding states, and has over 230 union electricians and 35 The Stronach Group. Together they represent more than employees. 85% of graded stakes racing in America. The formation of the organization comes in response to ■ Norton Healthcare, UofL an alarming increase in horse injuries and euthanization tied Physicians – Pediatrics and the to racing at tracks across the nation. More than three dozen University of Louisville School of Medicine have officially signed horses that have raced at California’s Santa Anita Park have a definitive agreement for an died over the past year and earlier this year, 10 racehorses affiliation that will combine died in the span of nine days in New York. resources to strengthen and The coalition will set stricter guidelines for allowable enhance medical care for medications, enact standards for crop use, encourage greater children. Norton Healthcare will transparency and tracking of veterinarian exam records, and assume operations for pediatric commit to the creation of new positions to implement and and pediatric subspecialist offices currently managed under UofL Physicians – Pediatrics. Approximately 600 employees with 21 different enforce the reforms. practices will transition with the affiliation. UofL doctors will remain on “Protecting the health and welfare of our athletes is a the faculty of the school of medicine and will work clinically within a complicated question that requires a multifaceted approach. Norton Healthcare pediatric practice plan. The affiliation is slated to That’s why we are implementing significant measures across go into effect on Feb. 1, 2020. the sport from the quality of our track surfaces to ensuring horses are fit to run each and every time through medication ■ UPS has announced major upgrades to its health-care warehouse reforms and enhanced veterinary examinations,” said Bill and distribution network that includes adding 1.3 million s.f. of total distribution space in key U.S. markets. Among the largest upgrades will Thomason, president and CEO of Keeneland Association Inc. be a new 450,000-s.f. facility near the company’s Worldport air hub in “There is no single solution and we are committed to finding Louisville. Key features in the new facilities will include climate controls the right answers, wherever that may lead us.” and validated coolers and freezers for customer products requiring strict temperature environments.

LEXINGTON ■ With the University of BAPTIST HEALTH FILES PLANS TO BUILD Louisville assuming KentuckyOne Health’s SECOND LEXINGTON MEDICAL CAMPUS Louisville assets effective Nov. 1, former KentuckyOne APTIST Health hospitals have been rebranded

Lexington has filed Jewish Hospital photo to reflect the change in plans with Lexington’s ownership. Because Sts. Mary Bcity government to build a & Elizabeth Hospital and Our Lady of Peace Hospital medical campus near I-75 in are no longer operated as Lexington to better serve Catholic facilities as they were those in southeast Lexington under KentuckyOne Health, the facilities are now operating as UofL Health and surrounding counties. – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital and UofL Health – Peace Hospital. (According to Baptist Jewish Hospital and UofL Hospital are now operating as one hospital Health, approximately 60% – UofL Hospital – Jewish Campus – with two locations. Physician of its patients are from outside Fayette County.) practices that were previously part of the KentuckyOne Medical Group have been renamed under the brand. Plans for Baptist Health Hamburg include an outpatient UofL Physicians surgery center, emergency department and some medical ■ Louisville-based insurance company Humana plans to pare its office buildings to be built first. Services provided there will workforce by 2% by the end of 2019 as the company implements include cancer care and diagnostic testing as well as measures to improve productivity and position itself for “long-term, emergency and urgent care treatment. Hospital officials say sustainable success.” The layoffs, which translate to approximately 800 there are no immediate plans to build a new hospital at the positions, will impact operations both in Louisville and across several Hamburg campus. states. Humana is one of the largest providers of Medicare Advantage and currently employs approximately 12,000 people in Louisville and Baptist Health purchased the 129-acre property for $29 around 41,600 nationwide. Those affected by the layoffs will be able to million in 2009. The new campus is expected to open by early apply for the approximately 2,000 open positions the company 2023 with 600 to 700 employees. currently has nationwide.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 11 FAST LANE

BUSINESS BRIEFS EASTERN KENTUCKY INVEST 606 SELECTS 12 FINALISTS FOR LOUISVILLE $50,000 ACCELERATOR/PITCH CONTEST ■ Frost Brown Todd, a Louisville- based regional law firm, has opened NVEST 606, a INVEST 606 CONTEST FINALISTS a new office in Ann Arbor, new business • , Michigan, to better serve its existing City Perk Coffeehouse accelerator Jennifer Kopecky, Prestonsburg clients. With the expansion, FBT Iserving eastern • , now operates 13 offices in nine states. Class Guard ReadiShield and southern Chris McNamee, Pikeville • , ■ Louisville-based architectural/ engineering firm is Kentucky, has Elevate Health & Fitness Luckett & Farley Susannah Zawko, London partnering with to renovate the announced 12 IHG Boutique Hotels Worldwide • , Kenny Miles, Mayking former building in downtown Louisville to create a Fact of Nature Bank of Louisville business finalists • , Scott Stuckey, new boutique hotel. The 11-story building was built in the 1960s and Inquiry Technologies who have a London encompasses approximately 200,000 s.f. Once the project – estimated at chance to win • , Allison Horseman and $50 million – is complete, the hotel will feature around 195 rooms and Ky Lavender over $50,000 in Mary May, Somerset be branded under the banner. The project has been Hotel Indigo • , Stef Ratliff, Rowan County approved by the for tax increment financing prizes through its KYARTRAT Louisville Metro Council • , Anne Bays, (TIF), a public financing method that subsidizes redevelopment and pitch contest. Moonlight Meat Shop Williamsburg community-improvement projects. The accelerator • Oak Hill Gardens, Josh Samples, is the first of its London ■ will invest $1.1 billion Ford Motor Co. kind to cover all of • , Maggie and in its two Louisville plants as part of the Old Homeplace Farm eastern Kentucky Will Bowling, Clay County company’s recent contract agreement and provide • , April and Paul Collins, with the (UAW). Sassy TRASH United Auto Workers Harlan The bulk of the investment - $1 billion – support to the • , Meagan Brannon, will go to Ford’s businesses with six Sprinkles of Hope Kentucky Truck Plant Maysville over the next four years to support months of training production of the all-new Super Duty and services. A pickup truck and the Navigator and $10,000 grand prize, $5,000 second prize, and $3,000 third prize Expedition models. Ford’s Louisville will be awarded to the 12 finalists completing the accelerator, Assembly Plant will receive $100 million along with thousands of dollars in other cash and in-kind prizes. to support continued production of the and Ford Escape Lincoln To be eligible to apply, the finalists had to be based in the 606 Corsair. Ford is one of Louisville’s largest employers, with more than 13,000 employees. area code. The selection process involved a competitive review among a panel of judges that are business and economic ■ The Health Resources and Services Administration has renewed leaders in the state and region. the University of Louisville’s $3.75 million grant to expand its Combined, the 12 finalists employ nearly 60 people, geriatrics workforce enhancement program throughout Kentucky. The generate more than $1 million in annual revenue and previous funding awarded in 2015 focused on areas in and around represent eight different industries. Louisville; the new funding will help the institute reach all 120 counties in the commonwealth. The UofL Schools of Law, Medicine, Dentistry The finalists will complete an individualized and flexible and Nursing and the Kent School of Social Work will be part of the training plan and will present their business to the public at a program, which is designed to help individuals optimally age by “Demo Day” on Jan. 18, 2020, in Pikeville. The final pitch intervening in multiple facets of care (patients, families and caregivers, contest will be held April 18, 2020, in Williamsburg. interdisciplinary health professionals, practice models, health care systems and communities). PARIS MAYSVILLE AGTECH SCIENTIFIC OPENS NEW INDOOR ■ Precision Pulley & Idler (PPI), an Iowa-based supplier of idlers, pulleys, bearings and other products for the major bulk and material HEMP CULTIVATION, PROCESSING FACILITY handling components industries, has opened a $10.75 million production facility in Maysville that is expected to create more than 100 full-time jobs GTECH Scientific has over the next decade. The 105,000-s.f. building provides space for both opened its new 2 manufacturing and distribution operations and gives the company a million-s.f. indoor presence near some of its key customers. The employee-owned company is Ahemp cultivation facility and a division of Precision Inc., which has 16 locations worldwide. ag processing center in Paris, RICHMOND part of an original $5 million ■ Lexington-based A&W Restaurants has opened a new national investment that will create learning center and restaurant in Richmond that will be home of A&W more than 270 jobs. University, an educational resource center for new franchisees and team AgTech currently employs over 100 full-time staff at the members from around the country. The new A&W University features a facility, exceeding 300 employees during peak season, and classroom setting along with hands-on experience in the Richmond plans to reach the first phase of completion and restaurant, allowing participants to master A&W’s operational standards. implementation by early 2020, eventually adding 271 WHEELWRIGHT additional jobs. ■ Within a week of announcing the reopening of the Southeast State In addition to AgTech’s greenhouse, the company is also Correctional Complex in October, the state received almost 900 job constructing a 50,000-s.f. extraction and manufacturing applications for the nearly 200 available positions. The complex will be center less than 10 miles away, which is slated to be complete housed in an existing, privately owned, 650-bed facility and will provide by the end of this year. much-needed space for medium-security inmates. The prison will be AgTech is also researching potential health benefits of staffed and run by the state Department of Corrections under the same policies and procedures used in current state-owned facilities. hemp-based additives for animal food. AgTech plans to New hires will be eligible for full state benefits, including health eventually begin manufacturing pet and equine foods, among insurance, vision and dental coverage, retirement and paid leave time. other products, contingent on changes to regulations.

12 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT LOUISVILLE BUSINESS BRIEFS $300M PROJECT WILL ADD HISTORICAL RACING, HOTEL AT CHURCHILL DOWNS WURTLAND ■ The Greenup Joint Sewer Agency has been awarded a $2 million HURCHILL federal grant to make water infrastructure improvements at the Downs has Wurtland Wastewater Treatment Plant that serves the EastPark unveiled a $300 Industrial Park. The grant will be matched with $3 million in state and Cmillion project that will local funds and is expected to help create 132 jobs and generate $403 add a hotel and historical million in private investment. racing machine facility at STATE A rendering of the planned hotel entrance the iconic Louisville ■ Data traffic is now at Churchill Downs. racetrack. flowing through the first The project will also major segment of include new VIP guest experiences, including the KentuckyWired, a state- construction of permanent stadium seating, and the run project that will renovation of Millionaire’s Row. eventually provide high-speed, high-capacity fiber optic cable in every county. Although cable construction of Ring 1A – the Louisville-to- The 156-room, seven-story hotel will feature trackside Lexington-to-Cincinnati segment of the network – was complete in suites – all of which will offer private balconies and covered June, the flow of data could not begin until work was complete inside panoramic views of the entire track – as well as nontrack- the main database centers in Frankfort and Florence. Completion of facing rooms that will offer access to a second-floor party deck Rings 1B and 2 in Eastern Kentucky are expected to be fully operational to watch racing. The hotel will also feature a penthouse before Christmas, with the entire 3,000 network scheduled to be banquet room, a 27,000-s.f. ballroom, meeting rooms, a complete by October 2020. 900-machine gaming floor, sports bar, and multiple year- ■ The Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s round dining venues. board of regents has approved a 2020-2022 biennial budget request to New permanent covered stadium seating for 4,700 will expand nursing programs at all KCTCS colleges. The demand for replace the 3,300 temporary grandstands historically located registered nurses in Kentucky far exceeds the supply: Last year, KCTCS in that area and will provide approximately 5,500 new colleges awarded 840 nursing credentials, fulfilling only 31 percent of reserved seating options for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. the state’s total need. The funding request will allow the 16 KCTCS The project is scheduled to begin in December with colleges to hire more nursing faculty and provide year-round course completion expected by the end of 2021. offerings, and is expected to grow the number of nursing graduates by almost 25 percent annually.

Designing and building to the highest standards – yours.

From start to finish, we strive to exceed expectations through every phase of the building process.

And, as the area Butler Builder©, Long Construction Management offers an unmatched combination of efficiency, quality, and savings.

Let’s talk about your next project. 859.523.9407 I longconstructionmgt.com

A Groundbreaking Company

Long-19101_HalfPageAd.indd 3 8/3/19 8:46 AM INTERSTATE LANE Business news from Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia

BUSINESS BRIEFS INDIANA ABBOTT HIRING 450 FOR NEW WESTFIELD OHIO MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURING PLANT ■ Eaton, an Ohio-based power management company, LOBAL health care company Abbott has announced has agreed to sell its lighting plans to locate a new medical device production site business to Signify N.V. for in Westfield, Indiana, that will bring more than 450 $1.4 billion. Eaton’s lighting Gnew jobs to the area over the next several years. business is one of the world’s leading providers of LED lighting, with a broad range of products and systems designed to maximize Abbott is investing more than $37 million to performance and energy efficiency. build a 120,000-s.f. facility in the NorthPoint Industrial Park that will serve as the site for its ■ Amify, a Virginia-based strategy, operations and management structural heart business. The new space will house partner for brands looking to increase sales and optimize their presence production of Abbott’s MitraClip transcatheter on Amazon, has established a second headquarters in Cincinnati. The mitral valve repair system – which is also Cincinnati headquarters will bring 90 new jobs to the area, representing manufactured in Menlo Park, California – enabling the company more than $8 million payroll. In addition to the new office, Amify has a warehouse in nearby Hebron, Kentucky. to increase production and better serve its global customers. The MitraClip device is a small, clip-based device proven OHIO/TENNESSEE to repair primary and secondary mitral regurgitation without ■ Cintas Corp., a Cincinnati-based the need for open-heart surgery. To date, MitraClip has been company that specializes in business implanted in more than 90,000 patients worldwide. uniforms, supplies and safety Founded more than 130 years ago and headquartered in materials, is investing $20 million to Chicago, Abbott offers products in a variety of health care open a regional operations center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The specialties, including medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition operations center will house and medicines. Westfield Mayor Andy Cook said the addition management and production teams of a Fortune 500 company like Abbott “is a big win not only that will serve Cintas’ regional for Westfield but for the state of Indiana.” accounts. The center will bring 144 According to BioCrossroads and the Indiana Business new jobs with an average salary of Research Center, Indiana is the second largest exporter of $65,000. life sciences products in the United States, with $10.2 billion

TENNESSEE in total exports in 2018. Together, more than 1,750 companies support over 56,000 jobs in Indiana with average ■ Georgia-based Mueller Water Products is investing $41 million to establish a facility in Kimball, Tennessee, approximately 30 miles west of wages of approximately $97,600 annually. Chattanooga. Mueller is a leading manufacturer of products such as water hydrants, meters, valves and leak detection systems. The Kimball operation, which will be housed in an existing 223,000-s.f. facility, will TENNESSEE support Mueller’s large casting foundry in Chattanooga. The company plans to hire up to 325 employees for the Kimball plant over the next VOLKSWAGEN BREAKS GROUND ON NEW five years. ELECTRIC VEHICLE PRODUCTION PLANT

■ Allegiant ONSTRUCTION Travel Co. is is now underway investing $50 on million to Volkswagen C ’s new establish a Allegiant photo of America new base of electric vehicle operations at production facility in Nashville Chattanooga, which will International serve as the company’s Airport North American Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga will (BNA). The assembly base for produce the company’s new electric vehicle, new base – the ID.CROZZ. the 19th aircraft base for the Las Vegas-based air carrier – will create 66 electric vehicles. new jobs and house two Airbus aircraft. Allegiant began operating out Volkswagen began long-range EV production in of Nashville in 2018 and currently offers 12 nonstop routes out of BNA. November in Zwickau, Germany, and plans to roll out Citing Nashville as a “premier destination for visitors from all over the assembly worldwide in 2020. world” – the city hosted more than 15.2 million visitors in 2018 – and a Volkswagen’s investment of about $800 million in the diverse city attracting new residents, Allegiant Vice President Keith Chattanooga facility will require the addition of Hansen said, “Having locally based aircraft and crews will give us a wide approximately 1,000 jobs. The production version of the range of operations for new service, meaning more opportunities for affordable and convenient nonstop flights.” Allegiant plans to begin its ID.CROZZ will initially be assembled in Zwickau, with base operations in Nashville in mid-February. production set to begin in Chattanooga in 2022. The expansion of the Chattanooga plant includes a WEST VIRGINIA 564,000-s.f. addition to the body shop. Volkswagen will build ■ Technology company Infor, which specializes in business cloud both internal combustion engine vehicles as well as battery software, has opened a new office in Charleston, West Virginia, bringing electric vehicles on the same assembly line. The company approximately 100 new jobs to the area. Infor has been working also plans to build a 198,000-s.f. plant for the assembly of alongside Marshall University and West Virginia State University through the company’s Education Alliance Program to train students in battery packs for EVs at the Chattanooga site. cloud operations, software engineering and more to build a pipeline of Volkswagen currently builds the midsize Atlas SUV and talent in West Virginia that is suited to high-tech fields. the Passat sedan at the Chattanooga factory.

14 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT CONNECTED

Energy For Kentucky

For 1.1 million residents in 87 Kentucky counties, we keep the lights on. From barns to steel mills, the energy behind rural Kentucky starts in our power plants.

Big Sandy RECC Blue Grass Energy Clark Energy Cumberland Valley Electric Farmers RECC Fleming-Mason Energy Grayson RECC Inter-County Energy Jackson Energy Licking Valley RECC Nolin RECC Owen Electric Salt River Electric Shelby Energy South Kentucky RECC Taylor County RECC CORPORATE MOVES New leadership for Kentucky businesses

■ Brad Taber has joined ■ Caroline Roberts Heine has been named BIG MOVES Field & Main Bank as director chief advancement officer for Spalding ■ The Bank of the of information technology, University. Bluegrass in Lexington vice president. has announced the EQUINE following appointments: CONSTRUCTION ■ Drew Fleming has been ■ Jim Hacker has been named president and CEO of , Jason Marshall promoted to president and Brad Taber the Breeders’ Cup Limited, universal banker II, has CEO of Lexington-based which administers the been selected to transfer Jason Marshall construction management company Congleton- Breeders’ Cup World to the bank’s new Hacker Co. He succeeds Larry Cowgill, who is Championships. Drew Fleming Lexington location on retiring at the end of 2019. Doug Hacker has Romany Road. been named executive vice president. FOOD/SPIRITS/HOSPITALITY ■ Louisville-based Papa John’s International Andrea Lawson has has announced the following new been promoted to appointments to its management team: Max universal banker for the Wetzel – chief commercial and marketing new Romany Road Andrea Lawson officer; Jim Norberg – chief operating officer, location in Lexington. North America; and Jack Swaysland – chief operating officer, international. Corey Zacher has joined the bank as Jim Hacker Larry Cowgill Doug Hacker HEALTH CARE assistant financial center ■ Marea Aspillaga has been named chief manager of the 101 E. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT compliance officer for Baptist Health. High Street location in ■ The Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Aspillaga succeeds Donald R. Riggs, who is Lexington. Development Corp. (Tri-ED) has announced the retiring at the end of 2019 after serving 27 Corey Zacher following appointments: Christine Russell – years with the health system. Will Renda has Katie Hicks has joined vice president of strategy; Brit Fitzpatrick – been appointed to replace Aspillaga as system the bank’s loan director of entrepreneurship; Abby Ober director of compliance and privacy. operations department. – entrepreneurship community manager for Blue North (a Tri-ED program that focuses on building an entrepreneurial system in the region to connect young companies with mentors and partners); Angela Mulberry – business retention and expansion manager; Devon Stansbury – Katie Hicks Tri-ED client services manager; and Jeremy PROMOTED LISTINGS Worley – Tri-ED client services manager. Marea Donald R. Will Aspillaga Riggs Renda ACCOUNTING ■ Joe Johnston has joined Dean Dorton MANUFACTURING Allen Ford as tax director of the firm’s ■ Steve Eddy has been appointed senior vice Louisville practice. president of sales for GE Appliances in Louisville. Eddy succeeds Robert Rogers, ARTS who is retiring at the end of 2019. Other new ■ The Kentucky Center for the Christine Brit Abby appointments include John Boyd, who has Performing Arts has promoted Russell Fitzpatrick Ober been named vice president of retail sales, and Christian Adelberg to vice Dan Goldstein, who has been named vice president of marketing and president of contract sales. communications. MEDIA BANKING ■ has been named president and Christian Dale Woods ■ has been general manager of WDRB Media in Louisville. Terry Pugh Adelberg appointed president and He succeeds Bill Lamb, who left the position to chief executive officer of First lead KTTV and KCOP in Los Angeles. & Farmers National Bank in Angela Devon Jeremy Mulberry Stansbury Worley Somerset. Immediate Past RETAIL President and CEO Steve EDUCATION ■ Brannon Dixon has been appointed chief Morgan will continue to ■ Natasha Sams has been executive officer of Feeders serve as the bank’s Albany named executive director of Supply Co., a Louisville-based Market President and as a the Governor’s School for retailer of pet food and director on both the First & Terry Pugh Entrepreneurs program. supplies. Farmers National Bank and Albany Bancorp boards. ■ David Schneider has been TOURISM named director of the Center Natasha Sams ■ Andy Treinen has been ■ Robert E. Cox has been for Innovation and named president and CEO of named vice president, Entrepreneurship at Northern the Frazier History Museum Andy Treinen commercial banker for Kentucky University, effective in Louisville. WesBanco Bank. Cox will also Jan. 6, 2020. serve as team lead for the UTILITIES Bourbon region (Anderson, Robert E. Cox ■ OJ Oleka has been ■ Kentucky American Water Franklin and Mercer counties). selected as the new president has appointed Kurt Stafford of the Association of director of engineering for ■ Jane Greer has been named business Independent Kentucky OJ Oleka American Water’s Southeast development officer for First National Bank of Colleges and Universities. division. Manchester’s Lexington and Nashville areas. Kurt Stafford

16 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT C M

Y K C M Y K

OurOur business business isis...... anan extension ofof youryour business business

C M WaWrehousingarehousing Capacity Capacity Strategically Strategically LocatedLocated Technology That That W Worksorks C M Flexible,Flexible, national national capacit capacity. yLocated. Located in in the the key key Midwest Midwest IntegratedIntegrated TMS TMS and and advanced advanced WMS. WMS. Automatic Automatic Y K Y K transportationtransportationOurOur corridor corridor business business adjacent adjacent to to Cincinnati/Northe Cincinnati/Northe isis...... ananrrnn extensiondata capturingcapturing of technologof technolog youryoury,y KPI, KPIbusiness businesstracking tracking and and powerful powerful KentuckyKentucky Airport. Airport. analytics tools.tools.

WaWrehousingarehousing Capacity Capacity Strategically Strategically LocatedLocated ExcellentTechnology Service Service That That W Worksorks OneFlexible,OneFlexible, to two-dayto national two-day national g capacitr oundg capacitround deliveryy .delivery yLocated. Located to to over in overin the the 85% 85% key key ofMidwest ofMidwest U.S.U.S. IntegratedIntegrated TMS TMS and and advanced advanced WMS. WMS. Automatic Automatic CompetitivetransportationCompetitivetransportation pa corridorparcel corridorrcel and and adjacent f radjacent eightfreight rates. rates.to to Cincinnati/Northe Cincinnati/Northe Shopping Shopping cartcart rrnn pdatarrofessional capturingcapturing service, service, technolog technolog 24 24 hours yhours,y KPI, KPI a tracking ada tracking day, y7, days7 and days and apowerful week. apowerful week. integrationKentuckyintegrationKentucky Airport. with Airport. with 99% 99% o roderrder accurac accuracy.y. analytics tools.tools. Experience to to Solve Solve Y ourYour Logistics Logistics Challenges Challenges TransportationTransportation Services Services – –On-Time On-Time Every Every TimeTime AsExcellent anan InboundInbound Service Logistics Logistics T opTop 100 100 3PL, 3PL, Verst Verst has has Dedicated, transportation management and brokerage. beenExcellent providing Service services for start-ups to Fortune 500 Dedicated,OneOne to two-dayto two-day transportation gr oundground delivery deliverymanagement to to over over 85%and 85% b of rofokerage. U.S.U.S. been providing services for start-ups to Fortune 500 Time critical and window delivery. ELD compliant, GPS organizations since 1966. TCompetitiveimeCompetitive critical andpa parcel windowrcel and and fr eightdeliverfreight rates. yrates.. ELD Shopping Shopping compliant, cartcart GPS porganizationsrrofessional service, service, since 241966. 24 hours hours a ada day, y7, days7 days a week.a week. tracking, GEO fencing and experienced drivers. tracking,integrationintegration GEO with with fencing 99% 99% o randoderrder experiencedaccurac accuracy.y. drivers. Experience to to Solve Solve Y ourYour Logistics Logistics Challenges Challenges Customized Packaging Solutions As an Inbound Logistics Top 100 3PL, Verst has CustomizedTransportationTransportation Packaging Services Services Solutions – –On-Time On-Time Every Every TimeTime As an Inbound Logistics Top 100 3PL, Verst has LargestLargestDedicated, North North transportationAmerican American shrink shrink management sleeve sleeve labele labele andr. r .bHigh- High-rokerage. been providing services for start-ups to Fortune 500 Dedicated,impact graphics, transportation value-added management packaging and and br okerage.turn-key been providing services for start-ups to Fortune 500 impactTime graphics, critical and value-added window deliver packagingy. ELD compliant, and turn-key GPS organizations since 1966. Timesolutions critical forand many window of the deliver worldy’s. ELDleading compliant, consumer GPS organizations since 1966. solutionstracking, for GEO many fencing of the and world experienced’s leading consumerdrivers. tracking,brands. GEO fencing and experienced drivers. brands. Customized Packaging Solutions CustomizedLargest North Packaging American shrink Solutions sleeve labele r. ContactHigh- us today! Largestimpact North graphics, American value-added shrink sleeve packaging labele andr. ContactHigh- turn-key us today! impactsolutions graphics, for many value-added of the world packaging’s leading andconsumer turn-key solutionsbrands. for many of the world’s leading consumer brands. Contact us today! Contact us today! 800-978-9307 | verstlogistics.com

© 2019 Verst Logistics 800-978-9307 | verstlogistics.com

© 2019 Verst Logistics

800-978-9307 | verstlogistics.com

© 2019 Verst Logistics 800-978-9307 | verstlogistics.com

© 2019 Verst Logistics

C M

Y K ON THE BOARDS Kentuckians named to organizational leadership roles

AMERICAN COLLEGE KENTUCKY DERBY MUSEUM LEXARTS OF SURGEONS ■ Jill Baffert, Bill Beam, Eden Bridgeman ■ LexArts, a nonprofit organization that works ■ Dr. Timothy W. Mullett Skienar, Todd for development a strong arts community in has been named chair-elect of Spencer and the central Kentucky area, has elected seven the Commission on Cancer of Gene new members to its board of directors: Lauren the American College of McLean have Case, Fayette County Public Schools; Colin Surgeons. Mullett is medical been named Doherty, Hook Interactive; Ken Gish, K&L director of the University of to the board of Gates; , Team Cornett; Timothy W. Emmy Hartley Jill Hall Kentucky Markey Cancer directors of , Rose Law Office and Don Hall GM Mullett Rose Center. the Kentucky Supercenter; Chad Rudzik, Fifth Third Bank; Derby Jill Baffert Bill Beam Camden Skidmore, Republic Bank; Robin BLUEGRASS COMMUNITY Museum. Thomerson, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP; and AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE Chris Yajaira Aich West, PNC Bank. ■ Olivia Johnson Scholz Whelan has has joined the board of been directors of Bluegrass appointed Community and Technical board chair, College. Scholz is founder of with Glen the Bluegrass Business Haygood Cooperative, which serves serving as vice Eden Todd small businesses throughout chair. Bridgeman Spencer the region. Olivia Johnson Skienar Lauren Case Colin Doherty Ken Gish Scholz FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION ■ Heather Gate has been named to serve on the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment for the Federal Communications Commission. Gate is director of digital inclusion for Bowling Green-based Connected Nation. Gene McLean Chris Whelan Glen Haygood Emmy Hartley Jill Hall Rose Chad Rudzik

FOUNDATION FOR KENTUCKY EDUCATION A HEALTHY KENTUCKY PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD ■ Garren Colvin has been ■ The following individuals have been appointed to the Foundation appointed as members of the Education for a Healthy Kentucky board Professional Standards Board: David L. of directors. Colvin is president Dalton, Somerset; Melinda Ellen Goble, Richmond; , and chief executive officer of Johnathan Clay Gay Camden Robin Yajaira St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Flemingsburg; , Garren Colvin Adam Dewayne Smith Skidmore Thomerson Aich West Northern Kentucky. Richmond; Ashley Hughes Vice, Carlisle; Elizabeth J. Smith, Midway; Sherry Wilson MIDWAY UNIVERSITY GATEWAY FOUNDATION BOARD Powers, Lexington; and Steven Robert ■ Midway University has named four new ■ Andre Durojaiye has joined the board of Thomas, Campbellsville. members to its board of trustees: Dr. Ardis the Gateway Community and Technical Hoven, UK College of Medicine; Billy Van Pelt, College Foundation. Durojaiye is vice provost KENTUCKY FACULTY American Farmland Trust; Ieasha Allen, of undergraduate affairs at Northern Kentucky ADVISORY NETWORK Lexmark; and Dr. J.J. Housley, UK Healthcare. University. ■ The Council on Postsecondary Education has appointed 13 faculty members to the newly PRICHARD COMMITTEE HISTORIC LANDMARKS created Kentucky Faculty Advisory Network. The FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND PRESERVATION network will provide faculty input on state-level ■ The Prichard Committee for DISTRICTS policies and initiatives, and advise CPE President Academic Excellence has COMMISSION Aaron Thompson on innovative solutions to announced seven new ■ Morgan Ward has been accelerate student success. Members include: members and elected new appointed to serve on Shannon Hankins, Ashland Community and officers: Chair – Wynn Louisville Metro Technical College; Beth Polin, Eastern Kentucky Radford, Hopkinsville; Vice Government’s Historic University; , Hazard Community Chair – , Morgan Ward Diane Gibson Clay Ford Landmarks and Preservation and Technical College; Kyle Mahan, Jefferson Owensboro; Secretary/ Districts Commission. Ward is Community and Technical College; Joe Moffett, Treasurer – Carol Lamm, Wynn Radford an attorney with Stites & Harbison PLLC. Kentucky State University; Flint Harrelson, Berea. Leo Calderon, director Morehead State University; Melony of Latino programs and services at Northern KENTUCKY CHAMBER Shemberger, Murray State University; Becky Kentucky University, has been named to the OF COMMERCE Lee Meadows, Northern Kentucky University; committee’s board of directors. Joining the ■ Brian Cromer has been Rhonda Creech, Southeast Community and committee as new members are: Khamari elected to the board of Technical College; Luke Bradley, University of Brooks, Louisville; Heather Crabbe, directors of the Kentucky Kentucky; James Christopher Foreman, Independence; Kimberly Green, Bowling Chamber of Commerce. University of Louisville; Tyra Henderson, West Green; Christian Motley, Lexington; Marvin Cromer is a member Kentucky Community and Technical College; Swann, Danville; Afi Tagnedji, Louisville; and (partner) with the law firm of Brian Cromer and Andrew Mienaltowski, Western Kentucky Don Trowell, Louisville. Stites & Harbison, based in University. the Louisville office. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY INFRASTRUCTURE THE CUMBERLANDS KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION AUTHORITY ■ Michael Mountjoy has been named to the OF THE DEAF ■ Kurt Allen Stafford, of Lexington, has board of trustees at the University of the ■ Gary Crase has been elected to the board of been appointed to the Kentucky Infrastructure Cumberlands. Mountjoy is a founding partner directors of the Kentucky Association of the Deaf. Authority. at MCM CPAs & Advisors in Louisville.

18 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT

LANE ONE-ON-ONE Kentucky’s leaders express their opinions

The CEOs, the “towers,” are typically Kent Oyler now folks who have demands on them Kent Oyler was named president and CEO of as CEO that don’t allow them to spend Greater Louisville Inc. in June 2014. He much time on civic stuff. The previously was CEO of OPM Services Inc., a (leadership) model is moving towards financial services and investment firm. After one that involves needing to have more earning University of Louisville business and MBA degrees, Oyler worked for a predecessor leaders coming to the table. to PNC Bank then joined a large manufacturer The big leaders before used to have where he became CFO. In 1992 he founded a constituency, usually meaning a OPM Services and began a career as a serial company with lots of people. They entrepreneur, launching 19 new ventures in a assigned people to specific tasks and variety of industries. In 1997 he co-founded commanded their corporate resources. broadband internet provider High Speed And they had the ability to write checks; Access Corp., whose 1999 IPO still ranks as Kentucky’s largest. Oyler has served on many not that they funded it all, but they civic and philanthropic boards, including the would seed things and get them moving. University of Louisville, the Kentucky Chamber And the third thing, they have a love of and GLI. Recognitions include Cashflow city-building; they’re driven to make the Magazine’s Treasurer of the Year, E&Y Master city better. Mr. Jones was a perfect Entrepreneur and Kentucky Entrepreneur example of that. He had all three of Hall of Fame. He resides in Louisville with his those, and was very effective at it. Plus wife, Kathy, and has adult daughters. his personality was driving. Today you find people who have two of the three, but it’s hard to find all three. LOUISVILLE CHAMBER ADAPTING TO You have to gather the folks with two of those things and try to get them all singing MEET CHANGING BUSINESS NEEDS in harmony – same handbook, same page, With entrepreneur Kent Oyler as its CEO, GLI is applying modern in harmony. If you do that, you can get things done. It’s harder to do than the strategies to traditional goals to create the nation’s best chamber benevolent leader (approach). It is messier. It’s also far more democratic, and BY MARK GREEN some might say it’s better. We’re evolving in that direction. It’s passion-driven. And there are examples that are more Mark Green: You brought personal manufacturing organization. Jumped into technology-driven, like MeToo. There’s entrepreneurial experience to your and started a railroad company that did no headquarters for MeToo, there’s no current job as CEO of Greater well; started an internet company that did president of the MeToo movement. It just Louisville Inc. (GLI), the metro well and got bigger; a couple of other is, but it’s very powerful. chamber of commerce. How has that internet companies. Worked in consumer impacted the way you have taken on the research, a company we started. Another MG: The head of GLI wears several hats challenges of heading GLI? manufacturing company in packaging. It’s depending on the day and hour. Your Kent Oyler: I think like an entrepreneur, interesting to learn a new industry, but I website cites main activity areas of which tends to be: How can I take this would recommend that new economic development, careers and particular problem, take a different entrepreneurs stick with your industry. workforce, basic chamber of commerce, approach and come up with a solution? I Every job has a three-year learning curve. and advocacy. Can you give us brief probably brought a little more risk-taking descriptions of each? to the organization than it traditionally MG: New technology has always come KO: Those are the four things we do had. I’d like to believe that there’s along to disrupt the way business is actually. One error I made when I first creativity involved. I tend to generate a lot conducted: electricity or cars or flight, came was to have staff get everything we of ideas, which I’m told is a good thing – whatever. Today “disruption” as a result do and put it in a word cloud. It had you have to generate a lot of ideas because of the internet and digitalization is the maybe 50 different words. We put that most of them are bad ideas! Randomly, watchword for business. What has been on the cover of the piece I used to some of them will be good enough. And I the most impactful change to GLI’s explain what we do, and all it did was was a CFO before I launched my operations in your tenure? confuse people – because when you do entrepreneurial life; it brought a financial KO: It’s leadership. There’s been a huge everything, you do nothing. I tell people discipline and awareness. Being an change in the model of (civic) leadership today we do four things. entrepreneur, you wear every hat in an in this city and across the country. GLI We’re the chamber of commerce, organization, especially small themes its years, and next year will be which is about connections. It’s about organizations, and we’re not big. I’ve had about leadership. The whole model is you selling more stuff and us celebrating companies from two or three people to already changed and continues to shift. your business and making it easier for 600 people. Being able to bring the You’re going from this model we’ve you to do business. We do advocacy, multidisciplinary approach to the had here for years, which worked for which is being the voice of business, organization was helpful. the iconic leader – David Jones Sr. (the trying to advocate for public policy for a late founder of Humana), who’s the better business climate and economic MG: What business categories did you best example we have here. [He was] a development at federal, state and local work in previously? leader of leaders kind of person who levels. The hot button now is around KO: I started in banking with what’s now could say, “I’ve looked at it, this is what workforce talent, so we do talent PNC and transferred into a heavy we’re going to do. Let’s get in line.” attraction and workforce issues.

20 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT We do economic development in advocating for infrastructure; we were anemic. It’s growing much, much terms of business attraction and creation. successful last session with changing up slower, to even flat. It’s declined some We’re marketing the region in various and helping the road plan move ahead. years slightly. You can’t grow your ways to attract businesses to bring their It’s also direct flights. It’s broadband. economy with the exact same number operations here. We did a site visit last Education is infrastructure. And local of people. We need additional people week with a company we entertained and control (is an advocacy priority). coming in to fill the positions. We have showed all over the region. And Whether it’s being able to do the LIFT 27,000 open jobs. If all the people to fill entrepreneurship is a piece of that too. (local investments for transformation) those jobs lived here already, they would That’s the business creation side. tax or control our own fate, Louisville is find their way to those jobs, but that’s a different environment than much of not the case. We need to have people MG: With that wide portfolio, how can the rest of the state. The (rest of the moving into the city, whether it’s you as an organization and as an state) needs to be able to control their international or in-state or out-of-state. individual go so many directions? How fate, and we’d like to have more control You can’t be a vibrant city if you’re not do you ride herd over that? over our own fate. That’s a state issue we growing. Do you have to grow as fast as KO: We have a good staff. Our COO and spend a lot of time working on. Nashville? No. But you can’t be flat. chief of staff, Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, Locally, it’s about development. The manages a lot of the internal wrangling. big push is development, development, MG: What is being done now to recruit Most of the staff reports through her and quit resisting development. I’ll say people? she’s a very organized person. Between TopGolf (a proposed complex at Oxmoor KO: Our primary initiative right now is organic turnover and organizational Center) is our current best example of Live in Lou, a talent attraction brand change, somewhere around 90-95% of the that, but One Park (a proposed $250 we’ve built with the help of a lot of grants. staff is new since I came. It’s not that we million mixed-use development at It’s a toolbox for employers to sell the city. got rid of everybody. People leave and Grinstead Drive and Lexington Road) is What we’ve found is that they can sell their things happen, turnover-wise. Some of it’s coming to a vote soon. We want to be company, but then Louisville’s not well been good, some of it’s harder. It’s taken 5 much more pro-development. known if you’re living in Chicago and years to arrive at the organization we have don’t have a connection here. We help sell today that was capable of the Chamber of MG: Workforce development and talent the city. There are websites, a bunch of the Year win. attraction to provide an adequate supply digital media and marketing outbound to I have a full-time scheduling person of appropriately skilled workers for hit people when they might be thinking whose job is almost all setting business is at the top of every about jobs here. appointments, moving them around community’s agenda. What are GLI’s There are some talent retention things. and dealing with my calendar. It’s a workforce development strategies? We do sponsorships of events. They just relationship business; you have to get in KO: The biggest one we’re engaged with did the Louisville Trifesta 2019 by and get meetings with people. The CEO would be the Academies of Louisville at (promoter) Danny Wimmer Presents of meeting (I have) tomorrow has been Jefferson County Public Schools. We have Hometown Rising, Bourbon & Beyond, rescheduled three or four times; busy a leadership position in partnership with and Louder than Life, three big country people are next to impossible to meet. JCPS Kentucky in the works to expand and rock music concerts. And we did the If I was trying to do that myself it would and grow the career-themed academies in Live in Lou XC Cross-Country Classic, take a lot of time. She also handles GLI public high schools. That’s been very which books in thousands of college and board meetings. successful: 154 partnerships (between high school students who were in town. There are several hundred meetings businesses and schools) have been forged. We worked the IRONMAN Louisville. It a year – not just the standing meetings, Adjacent to that is talent attraction was a great demographic to try for talent but those where I’ll say, I need to meet and retention. Our workforce has attraction. We use digital media, with this CEO, or that official, or pull a actually been shrinking somewhat. The geofencing and things to try to reach group together about this. We’ve got key 24- to 54-year-old range is those folks. We’re trying to use the assets everywhere from small groups to one contracting. We’re having fewer kids, we have to target people while they’re next week where we’ve put 111 people and kids take a long time to mature into here and sell them on the city. on a committee. workers. But we have a lot of retirees We used to be answering phones, but exiting the workforce. There’s a crunch. MG: In targeting talent attraction, is nobody calls on the phone anymore. It’s We’ve spent a lot of time around GLI projecting out to certain regions actually rare. I get, on average, 30 or 40 barriers to workforce. What do you do for and certain countries? LinkedIn connection requests a day. A people who could work but for various KO: We go out about 500 miles plus lot of people want to reach out because reasons don’t? So, transportation, and New York City. We had a big IQS (I’m) the face of the chamber. we’ve done a lot of work on public policy Research project done and found that around expungement and bail reform. If that’s about our reach. You get much MG: What public policy changes are you’re in jail because you don’t have cash farther than that, and it’s just too far being sought by GLI – locally, in to pay bail on a nonviolent crime, it’s hard (for talent attraction). [But] if I’m in Frankfort and in Washington? to hold a job. We want to get your record Chicago (and move to Louisville) I can KO: Generally speaking, it’s business- expunged so you can get a commercial still get home to my family; I can drive friendly things that make it easier and driver’s license. home in half a day. better to do business. We dislike, generally, regulation. We don’t like MG: How important to the Louisville MG: GLI works on economic taxes, particularly in certain areas. business community’s success is development regionally, which can get The pension system is something recruitment of new residents? really complicated. Please describe we’ve spent a lot of time on, as has the KO: It’s one of the most critical GLI’s approach. How many counties Kentucky Chamber, because it is such a priorities and challenges of this metro does it work with, and how does it get huge problem. And we spend time area. Our population growth has been activated and managed?

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 21 LANE ONE-ON-ONE

KO: We count a 15-county region: five changes early on, bringing people in like We raised our prices. It’s a tiered in Indiana, 10 in Kentucky. We basically Sarah Davasher-Wisdom (COO and chief dues structure where for various levels surround Jefferson County. About half of staff). I also credit the Association of of investments in a chamber you get the population lives in Jefferson and Chamber of Commerce Executives. certain benefits. We had had the same half in the other counties. GLI has an There’s a peer group of metro chamber pricing structure for years. We didn’t economic development partnership CEOs there and I embraced that because I lose very many people even though we that includes officials from all the did not come in as an experienced doubled the minimum. counties that have (ED) staff. chamber executive. I was a business guy. A big item was launching the Our role is primarily an overlay for They were really helpful in saying, “This is Humana Health Solutions plan. Having business-attraction purposes, marketing what chambers are.” this health insurance product is very the region. For example, we have Another thing we did was go to the important to companies. We’re saving organized a familiarization tour and ACCE national meeting – where we won them, on average, about 20% on their brought 10 economic development site this year – and looked at those books. health insurance, so that’s a very selectors to town; this is the second or When you apply for Chamber of the Year compelling reason to join. We have a third time. We squire them all over, you create an application binder full of all fee associated with that. meet the different economic your best practices, your story, your And we have an entire committee development partners, show them a sponsors. You can see what excellent is. We dedicated to finding other alternative good time, show them the region. said, ‘We want to be National Chamber of earned income sources. We have several the Year.’ We were a long way from that more we’ll work on rolling out next year. MG: Louisville has significant new five years ago, but we set that as a North transportation infrastructure in the Star and kept working. The first couple MG: How much has social media form of the two Ohio River bridges and years we weren’t even eligible, then we replaced or changed the traditional a streamlined “Spaghetti Junction.” Are applied and didn’t get finalist, then we networking services that chambers of they impacting productivity as hoped, applied and got finalist and didn’t win, commerce provide? and what physical infrastructure applied again and got finalist and did win. KO: It’s supplemented but not replaced it. improvements is GLI advocating? We learned from the process a lot. GLI has big presences on LinkedIn, KO: My experience with the bridges is that Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We have it’s a whole lot faster to get back and forth MG: What were some of the specific 1.5 full-time equivalent people keeping up to Indiana and we don’t have the steps that you implemented? with the social media. I don’t do Facebook, bottlenecks I used to see. I would watch it KO: First, we rationalized our whole but I do LinkedIn. We have a big presence back all the way up I-71, I-64 all day. People spending and financial house; we were on Instagram, which is a hot thing with the are spending less time stuck there, but losing money. We began to diversify our younger folks. We very much drive our now they’re stuck elsewhere, so we’ve income streams. We were doing a lot of Live in Lou campaign, which is our talent been working heavily on the Gene Snyder things, but I couldn’t point to the one campaign, through social media. So social Freeway (I-265) and I-71 corridors. Those that we were really good at, so we chose media’s been a big supplement. We use it are an infrastructure traffic bottleneck. policy. We didn’t have a policy for lots of purposes. We push out We’re working on getting the state road department in 2014. There was nobody messaging for members, we push out our funding formula to work for high-traffic there until we hired Sarah; she came in own messaging. We reciprocate by liking roads; right now it’s by number of miles of as the first public policy person. their messages, retweeting them. road versus miles traveled on the roads, So we set our mind to building a strong which would make a lot more sense. public policy apparatus. We started going MG: But you don’t see people’s interest We spend a lot of time on direct flights. back to Washington, D.C. on DC fly-ins; we in chamber networking events falling The Louisville-Los Angeles flight (that hadn’t been there forever. away because of social media? began April 2) was a victory this year, and We went through an entire KO: No, I think they still want we were involved with that and other re-missioning: Why do we exist? Lots of connections. They want the face-to-face. direct flights with the airports. That’s early work to re-envision the organization. infrastructure. Education is quite honestly We rebranded also. It was a soft rebrand; MG: What issues do GLI members come infrastructure. You’ve got to have it. And we didn’t change the name of the to you seeking help with most often? broadband. It was sad to see Google Fiber organization, but all the graphics, the KO: One of them is the advocacy. It can pull out (of Louisville), but it did stimulate mission statement, all that other stuff be anywhere from local zoning or competition and people like AT&T and changed out early on in 2014. development to a big issue in Frankfort Spectrum have stepped their game up. We or Washington. The other is have a lot of folks who are remote workers MG: What is GLI’s budget and revenue connections. We’re very proactive about in town, and if you’re a remote worker, model today, and how has it changed in that, trying to connect you to you so you broadband is very important. If you’re recent years? two can do business together. stuck with service that is too slow or it’s not KO: It has changed significantly. Our reliable, it’s hard to hold a job. budget hovers around $6 million. Since MG: Why do members say that they join? 2014, we’ve added several revenue streams KO: They join for peer-level networking. MG: GLI is the reigning national that did not exist. We’ve added grants. We We try to have events or opportunities Association of Chamber of Commerce were not grant-writing our own purposes. for networking at all levels, from purely Executives (ACCE) Chamber of the We’d do a grant “in administrar” and be a CEOs of big companies to the folks who Year in the top large category. It fiscal agent. We wrote several grants, and are doing sales at street level. We try to involved what your board chair called “a it’s now into the millions we’ve received have opportunities for them to peer- tremendous turnaround story since that support our growth initiatives. network, and then big events where 2014.” What were the keys? We launched the capital campaign they cross-network. We do events KO: It’s great to be national champion. To and have raised $7 million so far on a primarily to allow people the get there, we made some good staff $7.5 million goal. opportunity to network.

22 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT MG: Is the networking function and advancing. We’re currently going into the were totally independent of each other, participation the primary value fifth year of a five-year plan in 2020, so are a reflection. We’re not trying to be proposition for chambers, or is that we’ll have a new set of priorities coming. Silicon Valley, but every business is tech- changing? enabled in one way or another. Given time KO: I think (networking and MG: In addition to Chamber of the and awareness and nurturing, we’re trying participation) is the primary value Year, what recent accomplishment is to set up a robust tech network in town. proposition. That and getting something GLI happiest about? There’s lots of stuff going on in that sector. done through the group, so they can KO: We just won another award for the make a difference. They believe they can 2019 Year of Tech initiative. We’re trying MG: What is your top advice to businesses come in, have a seat at the table and help to bring awareness around the need for and public officials who want to improve drive the public agenda. That’s why it’s innovation in technology to the the region’s economy, income levels and important to have a good agenda. community. There’s a lack of that. We’re wealth creation and quality of life? Our first and foremost value we have trying to start up a Louisville tech cluster. KO: If I had one piece of advice, it would to provide is to help our members We just got the first draft of a huge report be “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of many, improve their businesses. Part of business on the technology sector in our region one). We have “many.” One county can’t is trading with each other, and that’s the that (finds) we have 1,900 companies – we go at it alone; it’s not big enough. We need connections stuff. Part of business, thought it was 1,300. [So] we have a bigger to pull together. The city of Louisville though, is creating an environment tech sector than we thought. The resides in a small, relatively poor state. But where they can do business. That could economic impact is $33 billion. And that’s we’ve got to pull together. Otherwise be having a business-friendly the fastest-growing sector we have. It’s not you’re fighting over “small ball” spoils. We environment politically or policy-wise. the biggest – health care and shoot ourselves in the foot by behaving in manufacturing are still bigger – but that’s that way, which we do more than we MG: What are the major short- and longer- the fastest growing. And it’s a lot bigger should. Let’s be more forward-thinking term goals on GLI’s agenda currently? than we thought. looking at 2020, pull together and get a KO: We have to deal with issues of common vision. ■ organizing leadership better. We have MG: The city and UofL have recently fractures within the community, different announced partnerships with Microsoft silos that need to be addressed. We’re in and IBM. Is that a reflection of the tech Mark Green is executive editor of The Lane Report. He can be the process of writing a comprehensive sector that we’re just realizing is here? reached at [email protected]. strategic plan and hiring a company in KO: I think so. Both the IBM and Ohio to work with us and that’s really Microsoft announcements, while they PHILANTHROPY

new technologies,” Murray State University Executive Director of Development Tina Bernot said of her department’s fundraising tactics. Bernot, who is responsible for leading all fundraising work at the university, has been with MSU for 11 years and in her current role for four. Development staff members, she said, have worked hard to implement new strategies and best practices, including prospect research technology, which helps fundraisers identify potential donors, their motivations and giving potential through means like social media. A software program called GiveSmart is used during some special events, providing MSU with an online format for hosting silent and live auctions to bring in new and additional dollars. To thank major donors, Bernot said, MSU uses software called ThankView to make and share videos illustrating the impact of donors’ gifts, such as interviewing a scholarship student about how Tina Bernot, donated money impacted Executive their educational Director of Development, opportunities. Her Murray State department can track open University rates for the videos and whether they motivated recipients to click links to give again. Both traditional and newer modes of Giving is High Tech communication were used for MSU’s annual Week of Giving campaign in late November and early December. During the week, donors are encouraged by their degree majors to and High Touch challenge colleagues or classmates to contribute. An all-out media blitz featuring social media, website, email Colleges and universities are pairing new data tools with traditional and direct mail prefaced the event, Bernot said, with the goal of raising fundraising to turn school spirit into much-needed revenue $100,000 for needs-based scholarships. “It’ll be this huge compilation of solicitation platforms,” she said. BY SHANNON CLINTON Other universities are also using technology to enhance special event promotions and donor relations capabilities, OOK around and it’s easy to see flowing in say it’s not just school spirit including Eastern many worthy causes asking for that keeps donors engaged and giving Kentucky University. financial support, from generously. EKU Vice President environmental, political, Of necessity, they’re finding and of University religious or nonprofit groups to creating new, personalized strategies, Development and Lcrowdfunding campaigns for those whose leveraging technology and using Alumni Engagement Betina lives have been upended suddenly. increasingly creative (yet institutionally Betina Gardner said her Gardner, Colleges and universities have long genuine) means to stand out when department uses a Vice President been among those asking friends and making compelling pitches to prior and communications of University alumni to donate to help their campuses would-be benefactors. management tool called Development grow and stay up to date for new iModules that launched and Alumni Engagement, generations of students. Today, though, Tech tools provide data, communication in 2016 to develop great Eastern development and engagement officials “Instead of maybe changing our tools, websites, compile better Kentucky whose job it is to keep those dollars we’re just adding to our toolbox … with information and University

24 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT conduct social media initiatives in In Lexington, tandem with the university’s marketing Transylvania University Who Gives and How department. uses a software database system to keep track of In 2018, giving to education-based charities was up 6.2% to $58.9 billion (14% of all Many sizes … fit all donor information, Vice donations). EKU’s development department website President of Advancement 84% of millennials give to charity, offers an informative Guide to Giving so Steve Angelucci said. It’s a donating an annual average of $481 across Steve donors can match their means with the wealth screening program 3.3 organizations. Angelucci, Vice correct contribution conduit, such as that helps assess someone’s Emails prompted 31% of online President of , and 49 annual gifts or matching gifts of donations capacity and propensity to Advancement, donations made by Gen Xers of real estate, stocks or property. give and find out where percent of this generation is enrolled in a Transylvania monthly giving program. More traditional means of Transy’s donors and best University 72% of baby boomers give to charity, communicating with alumni and donors prospective donors live by donating an annual average of $1,212 still remain, like EKU Magazine, which is area code. Two receptions will be held across 4.5 organizations. produced in print and online formats, soon based purely on this software’s 88% of the Greatest Generation gives she said, as well as an e-newsletter. information, Angelucci said. to charity, donating an average of $1,367 Though Campbellsville At the University of the across 6.2 organizations each year. University uses web, social Cumberlands, in Source: https://nonprofitssource.com/ media and video appeals, Williamsburg, Director of online-giving-statistics/ face-to-face interaction Development Bill with major donors still has Stohlmann said there’s an important role by being been a big investment in Social media and online payment more direct and personal, fundraising development information is available to appeal to Vice President of Benji Kelly, Vice software, and a new Bill Stohlmann, younger donors, he said, although many Development Benji Kelly President of interactive, planned-giving Director of major donors are older and prefer said. Development, website has been unveiled. Development, traditional means of communication. Campbellsville “(That’s) where you The first-ever Give Day was University “You can’t completely transition to University of the can really sit down with held in April, with a goal of Cumberlands electronic is my point, so the traditional the donor, and maybe the president bringing in 400 donors. An ways of giving are still in place – direct comes along and shares the vision,” online U.S. map showed the reach of the appeals, face-to-face, phone calls,” Kelly said. campaign and its progress. Stohlmann said.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK High Quality Education. - WASHINGTON MONTHLY Ranked #1 among Kentucky public universities - Best Value Education. one of America’s best college values Total College Experience.

With more than 140 academic programs and nearly 180 student organizations, Racers will discover a special living and learning community — and a life-changing college experience. We’ll get you where you want to go — within three months of graduation, 69% of our graduates are employed and 23% continue their education based on our most recent reports.

Visit murraystate.edu/lane to learn more, schedule a campus visit or apply for admission.

Equal education and employment opportunities M/F/D, AA employer. Murray State University supports a clean and healthy campus. Please refrain from personal tobacco use.

MURRAY • PADUCAH • MADISONVILLE • HOPKINSVILLE • HENDERSON • FORT CAMPBELL PHILANTHROPY

Transparency, creative engagement required Emblazoned with the slogan “See What Kentucky Can Inspire,” the University of Kentucky’s online philanthropy site features various areas of impact potential donors can click on and donate to based upon personal interests such as student success, research, and arts and humanities. The site prominently features testimonials on how past donations are being used. “This campaign is about stories,” UK Associate Vice President for Campaigns and Major Gifts Brent Pieper said. “We talk a lot from day one: It’s about people telling their stories.” In late August, UK celebrated its highest one-year gifts and commitments giving total of $212.1 million from 45,145 donors, a second straight record year topping $200 million. It’s part of an effort dubbed “Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign,” which launched in 2018 and will continue a few more years with a goal to raise $2.1 billion. Those funds, Brent Pieper, Pieper said, will Associate Vice ultimately increase President for opportunities for Campaigns and Major research, health care, Gifts, athletics, student success University and strengthening the of Kentucky alumni network. “We’re trying to provide more “So, relative to the transparency and While testimonials put real peoples’ information about gift performance, the the impact they have, we’re providing faces on the impact of giving, donors gift impact, and we’re doing that in much more detail,” he said. often want to designate funds to an area different ways with our donors,” she said. At Centre College in they’re personally passionate about, At the University of Danville, Vice President Pieper said. One recently completed Louisville, rather than for Development and example is modernizing the UK Law sending someone who Alumni Engagement Building, a two-year, $56 million project created an endowment a Shawn Lyons said toward which alumni gave generously. standard financial traditional mailers and In recognition of one alum’s $20 statement, “impact phone drives don’t million gift, the gutted and rebuilt reports” convey expected provide the same level of Shawn Lyons, structure was designated as the J. David numerical info as well as Brad Shafer, support as they once did, Vice President Rosenberg College of Law at its Nov. 19 detailed outcomes, Vice Vice President but they remain crucial. for ribbon cutting. President of University of University “They are still our Development “We see very few (gifts that are) Advancement Brad Advancement, most productive ways of and Alumni completely discretionary, undesignated Shafer said. University of receiving gifts,” he said. Engagement, Louisville Centre College giving,” he said. Instead of telling a Even those traditional Since 2007 a formal Women in donor their funds went toward a donors are encouraged to donate Philanthropy program at UK has professorship or a scholarship, it online since it reduces collection costs. awarded nearly $1.8 million in grants to provides information about what a Centre donor lists are segmented by students, research projects and professor was able to do with the giving history and interest, Lyons said. programs that members collectively funding – attend a conference, finish He’s seen a shift in why and how people decide upon after each donating $1,000 research or write a book, for example. give, from more of what he calls “loyalty a year into a special fund, according to Donors are given scholarship student giving” to “impact giving.” Pieper and the program’s website. bios and testimonials, and sometimes In the 1980s, more than 70% of At EKU, Gardner said transparency lunches between donors and these Centre alumni could be counted on to is also a factor in fundraising, as donors students are arranged, Shafer said. donate, he said, and now that figure want to be assured the university is An online donor portal debuted in hovers around 40% – still better than being a good steward of their donations. recent months where users can log in to the 10% or so national average. In the past few years, more information view general funds, gifts, and their uses In the past, if people had a good is being made accessible to donors, such and returns if they’re invested/ experience and they felt the college was as reports on endowed accounts. endowed, Shafer said. headed in the right direction, they gave,

26 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT

PHILANTHROPY

a one-on-one “short course” with a faculty member working in a subject area of interest. UofL is getting more creative with alumni and donor appreciation banquets and awards ceremonies, Shafer said, finding it better received to transform an on-campus space instead of holding events off campus at a hotel, for example. Meanwhile, this year’s alumni awards event was streamed live online and viewed by more than 350 people. Three-plus years ago Transylvania University launched Together For Transy, a 24-hour fundraising challenge event in which different groups of alumni, faculty, staff and students challenge each other to give. This year the event resulted in more than Susan Ware, 600 gifts, Senior Director Senior Director of Donor Engagement of Donor Engagement, Susan Ware said. Transylvania On- and off-campus University events enable Transy to convey both its responsible stewardship of funds and gratitude to donors, Ware said. During homecoming each spring, reunion classes, alumni and friends of Lyons said. Now there’s more Trabue said other ways the university are recognized for competition for giving and more ways to the university keeps donors achieving set goals. A one-day event for give, including Venmo, PayPal and text- engaged is through its those who graduated 50 or more years to-give, all of which Centre offers. extensive slate of annual ago brings them back to campus for a These days, many donors want to homecoming activities, visit, and other alumni events are held support a particular academic or phone-a-thons, direct mail around the country. A lecture series athletic program and be shown how solicitations and through with high-caliber speakers is ongoing, Amanda and departments like athletics have gifts of any size will make a difference, a the efforts of a strong Trabue, Vice mandate Lyons’ department works hard leadership annual giving President of their own recognition programs. to fulfill whether by email, online, social team that constantly Development “I feel like you need to thank a donor media or face-to-face interaction. evaluates practices for and Alumni more than sending them a receipt in the “If you can’t do that, there are other improvement and ensures Engagement, mail, so that they really feel it,” Ware said. organizations out there that are just as new potential donors are Western deserving that will do that for them,” he in the pipeline to give. A Kentucky Sharing best practices said. new Day of Giving University As many of her peers also reported, fundraising event will Bernot said her department at MSU Face-to-face thank-you’s remain important debut in spring 2020, she said. shares information about successful Western Kentucky University in At Murray State University, Bernot fundraising with other universities, and Bowling Green has a new twist on said different departments from they reciprocate freely. recognizing donors for their generosity athletics to alumni relations and the “There’s just no better way to learn with the Summit of Excellence awards, president’s office embark on a two- about what might work for you,” she which debuted in mid-October 2019. week, donor-sponsored Racers said. “…At end of the day, when people This event consolidated different Roadshow, stopping in nine towns and are giving everybody wins, right?” awards programs into one recognizing visiting with 1,200 constituents to chat In his role at Campbellsville alumni, friends, faculty, staff and about campus life and cultivate new University, Kelly said fundraising is truly students for major contributions, giving sources. a meaningful, inspiring profession, one including the 2019 Philanthropist of Fresh off a record year of donations he’s proud to be a part of. the Year, the Belle Lady Hunt award and donors from its 2019 Day of Giving “You get to talk to people who love that formerly was bestowed in a fundraiser in October, University of your alma mater or love the school that standalone event. Louisville has a variety of ways to thank you’re working for,” he said. “Whenever “We felt like bringing prominence to major donors, Shafer said. you work with someone and you hear that award at a more open event would Donor appreciation weekends may their passion and you’re able to link give more recognition to that individual include principal or major gift donors that with an opportunity on campus, and more prominence to that award,” being treated to a behind-the-scenes that’s a beautiful thing.” ■ WKU’s Vice President of Development VIP tour of something they’re interested and Alumni Engagement Amanda in, he said, something money can’t buy. Shannon Clinton is a correspondent for The Lane Trabue said. It might be an event on campus, such as Report. She can be reached at [email protected].

28 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT COVER STORY

Amazon Prime Air has its first hub under construction at the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport in Erlanger at an investment cost of $1.5 billion. Prime Air began creating a fleet of aircraft in 2016 in 2016 when it leased 40 Boeing jets from Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings and Air Transport Services Group. Shown here is one of the first Boeing 767’s used for the air cargo network. Continuing Economic Growth and Opportunity Kentucky leaders see mostly bright prospects in the coming year, universities and colleges even more crucial – and heightens the significance making it a good time to better position commonwealth for the future of Louisville’s partnership with Microsoft to establish a cluster for artificial intelligence and big data used in solving HE U.S. and Kentucky And anticipation mounts as e-commerce health care and other problems. economies continue along behemoth Amazon is in the process of Vehicle manufacturing is going in an economic expansion establishing its first Prime Air hub facility through a transition as that industry that last July became the across the street from DHL at Cincinnati- continues its ‘lightweighting’ trend and longest in national history – Northern Kentucky International eyes a future that includes more electric Tmore than 10 years – and the state’s wise Airport (CVG). The state’s logistics power for cars and trucks. But for the men and women sense that 2020 will be mega-assets are attracting other business nation’s No. 3 car and light truck another year of growth. They also see and jobs as well, making the manufacturing state, this already has the state being on the cusp of much commonwealth’s management of its meant hundreds of millions of dollars better things if it channels the benefits transportation infrastructure ever more in plant modernizations with more to toward solving its problems. important. This growth will feed ongoing come. And it is generating billion-dollar The broad retail trend of growing demand for more single- and multifamily investments in metals operations. e-commerce benefits logistics-intensive home building, a sector that in turn Agribusiness, too, is poised for Kentucky. The state continues to creates business for everyone from progress as industrial hemp rapidly leverage a geography that allows for construction companies to appliance grows into a new cash crop and the quick delivery to the majority of a U.S. and mattress retailers. commonwealth positions itself to attract market that remains the largest and Today’s key economic competition is ag-tech operations. The dark cloud on strongest in the world. UPS Airlines and for talent, a workforce with the new skills the scene is U.S. trade conflict, which is Worldport operations in Louisville are businesses need in the increasingly digital limiting markets for Kentucky expanding, as is DHL Express and its and data-driven world of commerce. That agriculture exports and could cap Americas Hub in Northern Kentucky. makes the current role of the state’s growth in the state’s bourbon boom.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 29 COVER STORY

“Economic activity seems to be pointing in a “In 2020, EKPC and our 16 owner-member positive direction for 2020, with strong co-ops will continue working to strengthen returns expected from our manufacturing, the local economies across the 87 counties high-tech and health care industries. Our we serve. Our co-ops have worked hard to ability to attract and retain talent throughout improve the competitiveness of rates and the commonwealth is critical for industry reliability, which are vital to households as expansion and success as well as that of our well business and industry, whether Karen Anthony Finan educational institutions to produce the “Tony” existing or prospective. Our 16 owner- President/CEO targeted skill sets necessary for our Campbell member cooperatives are taking the lead Northern workforce. Our appetite for industry President/CEO in helping the communities they serve to Kentucky innovation and excellence will fuel the East Kentucky expand and retain existing businesses Regional possibilities. Continued focus in the small- Power while rolling out the welcome mat for new Alliance business sector – those employers who create Cooperative businesses. Kentucky offers tremendous jobs and invest capital into our communities opportunities. Likewise, sustainability is – is a fundamental necessity for a strong economy in Kentucky critical to our long-term viability. We are taking a hard look and throughout the nation. It will be important for Northern at our operations to ensure we meet the changing Kentucky, as a significant part of the Cincinnati MSA expectations of owner-members and other stakeholders, (metropolitan statistical area) and commonwealth, to speak including workforce, regulators and lenders. To that end, with one voice on business issues of importance as we move EKPC is in the midst of a multiyear, $262 million project to our community forward through transformative initiatives in ensure our largest power plant remains compliant and health, education, job growth and vibrancy.” ready to serve Kentucky.”

“Kentucky’s housing market has continued “America is now in the longest economic its strong performance in 2019 and the expansion in history, and the Louisville outlook for 2020 is quite optimistic. In region has benefited tremendously, Kentucky during the past year, inventory including 83,000 new jobs and 3,000 new has steadily declined, but languishing businesses since 2011. In 2020 this winning numbers of homes available for sale have streak should continue with more success not dampened the 2019 sales figures. In in our historic economic strengths like Steve Mary Ellen Stevens fact, year-to-date numbers through Wiederwohl manufacturing and logistics as well as our Chief Executive October show Kentucky is nearly 900 units Chief, accelerating efforts in the aging care Officer ahead of the record sales year of 2017. Louisville innovation and technology sectors. To Kentucky Nationally, new and existing home sales Forward support this, our LouTechWorks initiative REALTORS are expected to increase 3.6-3.7% in 2020. will aim towards a quintupling of our With mortgage rates low and the economy projected growth of tech jobs in the next few years, boosted in a job-producing mode, more and more first-time home particularly by our new partnership with Microsoft to make buyers are getting into the market. The issuance of housing Louisville a regional hub for artificial intelligence, internet permits has hit its highest level in over a decade and is of things, and data science – all of which will engage with nearly to the level needed for the long haul. If construction employers in health care and manufacturing. AI and data follows the number of permits, our previous inventory woes will soon change our world as much as the smartphone and should be diminished. Construction-related business the internet did 10 and 20 years ago. In 2020, Louisville will activities will churn the economy and we expect another be defining the future of work and positioning the region promising year for real estate in Kentucky.” for greater prosperity.”

“According to the just-released ACI Annual “Cities are the economic engines of World Airport Traffic Forecasts, global traffic Kentucky, responsible for approximately demand will double by 2037 based on a 75% of the state’s economic footprint. The projected growth rate of 3.8% a year. Locally, people who live and work in our cities the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky expect vital services, but finding the International Airport is poised to continue money to pay for these needs is its growth trajectory as one of the fastest increasingly difficult for city leaders. Candace growing airports in the U.S. for both J.D. Pension costs alone have more than McGraw Chaney President/CEO passenger and cargo traffic. In 2020, CVG Deputy doubled in the past 20 Cincinnati- will continue to focus on offering additional Executive years. Unfortunately, state law restricts how Northern carrier partners and routes to maintain its Director, cities collect funds, compounding the Kentucky position as the lowest airfare airport in the Kentucky challenge as expenses skyrocket. The International region. On the cargo front, Amazon will League legislature needs to modernize how it Airport continue with construction of its Prime Air of Cities allows cities to collect revenue and give hub, while DHL Express will continue to local elected leaders the options necessary operate from its CVG superhub for the Americas. E-commerce to determine what is best for their communities. As will remain strong. A key focus for all Kentucky airports will be Kentucky looks to grow its economy, it’s vital that cities have ensuring the state’s commitment to maintaining the the economic foundation and reliable infrastructure that infrastructure necessary to support the growth of its airports, corporations expect.” including on-airport, highway and bridge investments.”

30 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT “Murray State University responds to the educational, workforce and economic development needs of our region and commonwealth and has a profound economic impact statewide, generating $495 million in economic activity in one fiscal year, according to a 2016 impact Bob Jackson report. We are very optimistic about 2020 President and our region’s continued growth. We Murray State see growth in most sectors of our economy University during the months ahead and are excited about the university’s response with new, high-impact academic programs and centers, such as logistics and supply chain management, cybersecurity, civil and sustainability engineering, the Center for Agricultural Hemp, Center for Economic/Entrepreneurial Development, occupational therapy and other health care programs. We are actively addressing the teacher shortage issues across the state, particularly in rural areas, through our College of Education and Human Services. Murray State is recognized as one of America’s best value colleges and for 29 consecutive years as a top-tier university by U.S. News and World Report, accolades that will assist our Louisville’s ongoing hotel construction boom is crowned by the 30-story $315 continued growth to address the many opportunities million Omni Louisville Hotel that opened downtown in 2018 with over 600 awaiting our region.” deluxe rooms, multiple dining options, three bars, a four-lane bowling alley and more. Louisville now has more than 20,000 rooms in the metro area with more on the way.

“2020 is an important year for assessing the outcomes of Humana’s population health “Kentucky has seen welcomed economic strategy to improve the health of the growth the past few years, as witnessed by our communities we serve 20 percent by 2020 record business investments, new job and beyond. Humana has partnered with announcements and exports. But whether public and private agencies to address the Kentucky continues these trends or falls to needs of the whole person, and we’ve the bottom of states will be highly dependent London on our elected officials’ ability to make bold Roth measured our progress with the CDC’s Ashli Bold Goal Healthy Days survey. We recognize the Watts decisions on our biggest challenges – Advisor, avoidable waste and costs of health care President/CEO pensions, infrastructure, Medicaid, education Humana delivery associated with unmet gaps in Kentucky and corrections. Kentucky is not alone in social determinants of health. Humana is Chamber facing these challenges, and what will committed to identify these basic unmet needs among our of Commerce separate us from the rest of the states is a mix members and community residents, leveraging technology of the right reforms and meaningful to connect individuals to resources to support those needs, investment. Kentucky is well on its way to achieving the view of scaling solutions and measuring associated outcomes. itself we all share: a place where there is economic opportunity, Humana is proud to participate in the United Community high quality of life and a bright future.” initiative, led by Metro United Way. Louisville is the first city in the nation to connect the health, education and human services sectors via a digital community service coordination platform.” “Kentucky agriculture in 2020 will be at the mercy of macro-economic factors outside our control, including unfair retaliatory tariffs against our farm families. “In Bowling Green, we continue to Kentucky’s hemp industry enjoyed a capitalize on our community becoming a record year in 2019 with nearly 1,000 motorsports playground. Event promoters growers and some 26,000 acres planted, Ryan and we expect even bigger things in 2020. from around the state and nation Quarles We look for continued growth of Kentucky continue to book events at historic Beech Commissioner Bend Raceway Park and the NCM of Agriculture Cattlemen’s Ground Beef, an all-Kentucky (National Corvette Museum) Motorsports Commonwealth beef product sold in supermarkets across Sherry Park. In 2019, our community saw a of Kentucky the commonwealth. As I write this, we are Murphy record number of event attendees. We still waiting for Congress to do its job and Executive pass the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Director expect those event numbers to continue Bowling Green to grow over the next few years, as we work Agreement) trade agreement, which, if ratified, will ensure Area on developing new attractions for off-road Kentucky farmers of near-tariff-free trade with our closest Convention & motorsports enthusiasts.” neighbors.” Visitors Bureau

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 31 COVER STORY

“Talent is a major driving factor for “As the University of, for and with Kentucky, bringing jobs and population growth and we are reimagining what’s possible, not only will continue to be a major focus for 2020 for our institution, but for the as employers throughout the commonwealth and its future. As Kentucky’s commonwealth compete with major metro economic engine, we are preparing today’s areas for employees. Louisville is the entrepreneurs, professionals and employers driving economic engine for the state. so they can address tomorrow’s questions. As Kent Oyler That’s why Live in Lou, a talent attraction Eli such, it remains critical that we cultivate and President/CEO, Capilouto Greater and retention initiative is important. President sustain partnerships with local, state and Louisville Inc. Employers must speak together as one University federal governments along with the private regional voice on what are the community of Kentucky sector. Through our high-tech research assets and selling points for their region. Louisville is enterprise – contributing $725.5 million to focusing on attracting professionals with an associate’s Kentucky’s economy – and commercialization infrastructure, degree or higher between the ages of 25 to 54 and driving we are at the forefront of innovation in health care, drug them to LiveinLou.com as an important part of economic development, energy and agriculture. As we build a brighter development.” economic future for Kentucky in an evolving 21st-century economy, we are asking ourselves: What’s wildly possible?”

“Looking toward 2020, TMMK is uniquely equipped to continue our legacy of producing some of the best-selling “For Lexington’s hospitality sector, 2020 vehicles Toyota has to offer. While industry will be a landmark year of cornerstone trends show a rise in popularity of SUVs projects and international events. City and trucks, we firmly believe passenger Center, a $220 million mixed-use cars are still an important part of the development in the heart of the city, will Susan market. Over the next few years, Toyota be open and fully operational in January. Elkington President (overall) will introduce 31 new, The Krikorian Premiere Theatre at South redesigned or refreshed models, many of Mary Quinn Broadway and West High Street will open Toyota Motor Ramer Manufacturing which will be sedans. To kick off 2020, President in the spring. Phase One of the Lexington Kentucky TMMK will add production of the RAV4 VisitLEX Convention Center expansion project will Hybrid to our line-up, supporting a Toyota be complete by the fall. This $250 million commitment that by 2025 every product will have a project will allow our destination to compete for 90% of dedicated electrified model or an electrified option. With a the national meeting business (up from 65% currently). string of recent investments, the foundation is in place to Equitana, a three-day equine event and the world’s largest drive Toyota Kentucky into the next 30 years of equine trade fair, is coming to the Kentucky Horse Park manufacturing in the Bluegrass.” for the first time in September. And Lexington once again will welcome the Breeders’ Cup to Keeneland Race Course in November. The hospitality industry anticipates another solid year for economic development and progress throughout 2020.” “Kentucky American Water is an investor- owned utility providing quality water and wastewater services to rural and urban customers in portions of 14 counties, and investing in water system infrastructure “The City of Jeffersontown expects to see remains a priority. In 2020 we plan strong job growth continue into 2020. In approximately $25 million worth of system 2019 Jeffersontown’s JOBS Program saw Nick and facility updates such as upgrading five companies qualify for the incentive, Rowe President, aging pipes and treatment plants. with projected job growth totaling 924 Kentucky Communities depend on the services we new employees at an average annual provide for the basic needs of life as well as salary of about $75,000. Employment American Mike Water for fire protection and industry. In short, Kmetz increases by sector include 408 jobs in we help keep their lives flowing, and we Executive manufacturing, 56 headquarters jobs and take this responsibility seriously. We remain focused on Director, 460 IT-related jobs. Additionally, controlling operational expenses, providing a fair return to Jeffersontown restaurant and entertainment offerings investors, and expanding our footprint in the Economic continue to grow in the Gaslight Square commonwealth to bring our unique experience, expertise Development District and other parts of the city, and commitment to additional communities.” Authority including the Plainview and Stonybrook areas. These businesses are attracting patrons from throughout the Louisville region, strengthening Jeffersontown’s position as an entertainment destination. A goal for 2020 is to establish plans with a private-sector partner to develop a 2.38-acre site adjacent to Gaslight Square.”

32 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT “To achieve outcomes that have never “Following the busiest year in the history been realized, you must do things that of Louisville Muhammad Ali International have never been done. We believe 2020 Airport (SDF), we expect to maintain this has the potential to be a year of momentum into 2020. Passenger capacity transformation on many fronts across for next year is strong as we continue to Appalachia Kentucky. This year will bring celebrate the success of new direct Los opportunities for us to leverage Angeles (LAX) service from American Jared Dan Mann Arnett connectivity like never before by Executive Airlines and new nonstop destinations Executive complementing the KentuckyWired Director from Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines. Director network to build on the more than 2,500 Louisville Area travelers will begin to see progress on Shaping Our remote-work jobs created in the region Regional more than $200 million in improvements Appalachian since 2015 and our work to connect small Airport at SDF. As the world’s seventh busiest Region Inc. businesses and startups to new markets Authority cargo airport (and third busiest in North (SOAR) through the digital economy. We also America), Louisville’s airport will continue believe 2020 will be the year that we take to play a significant role in national and global economic the first steps of being the Ag-Tech Capital of America activity. The future for the region’s air service and cargo with the construction of AppHarvest’s more than operations is bright.” 2.5 million-s.f. greenhouse near Morehead.”

“We expect 2020 to build on the economic momentum of 2019. Significant investment “Kentucky higher education institutions at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky finally have pension reform for 2020 in International Airport continues with House Bill 1. While evaluating and Amazon Air constructing its $1 billion hub implementing the options in the bill that and Atlas Air building a new facility nearby. will take precedence in early 2020, there We expect those trends to continue and are other factors that impact the economic Lee Crume are working to attract technology and outlook for higher education in Kentucky. President/CEO, logistics companies that align with their Northern Ashish Enrollment and competitive pressures, presence in the region. Northern Kentucky Vaidya Kentucky combined with a focus on maintaining saw strong expansion activity across many President Tri-ED Northern affordability, will limit revenue growth for industry sectors in 2019, with existing Kentucky state colleges and universities. The companies announcing new additions to their facilities and University commonwealth must come together to adding new employees. We expect our business retention ensure that more diverse learners attain and expansion projects to continue driving the economy in degrees and credentials in order to improve the economic the region in 2020. This year we are focused on growing outlook for all sectors across the commonwealth, including Northern Kentucky’s entrepreneurship ecosystem with our higher education.” partners, Northern Kentucky University and St. Elizabeth Healthcare.”

“Empowering economic vitality and quality of life in our communities is our “Increasing access to care and attention to vision and one of our top priorities. patient experience will be areas of focus Transforming our vision into a reality for health care in 2020. Norton takes shape in many ways. By providing Healthcare, along with the industry as a safe, reliable energy at some of the lowest whole, continues to see an increase in costs in the nation, we’re helping attract patient volume and demand for services Paul W. new businesses to Kentucky and working across all generations. I expect to see even Thompson Russell F. Chairman/ with existing partners to expand, create greater emphasis on technology. Norton jobs and bring economic benefits to the Cox Healthcare continues to invest in 24/7 CEO/President, President/CEO, LG&E and KU commonwealth. Our programs help Norton virtual visits so patients can receive care at businesses of all sizes meet their Healthcare a time and location convenient for them. sustainability goals, and we partner with local and state We’re also expanding our reach of economic development personnel to improve Kentucky’s outpatient centers to give more patients health care inventory of prospective sites for new businesses. As we options close to home. Patients have a choice in where they enter another decade of service, we remain steadfast in seek medical care, and health care organizations must our commitment to help Kentucky’s light shine.” evolve to meet consumer expectations.”

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 33 COVER STORY

“Driven by the new opportunities – 250 acres now open for economic development on Coldstream Research Campus, University of Kentucky brainpower, high-tech agriculture and a growing community of entrepreneurs – our economy continues to grow and Linda Gorton expand in sectors that signal a bright Mayor, future. Working to attract good jobs is a City of top priority for me. And we are also Lexington focusing on workforce development, so we meet the needs of our business community and of citizens who want to improve their skills.”

“If 2019 was a boom year for the river cities of Southbank Partners in Northern Kentucky, then 2020 is going to be an explosion. In Newport, work is continuing on the $100 million rebuild of Newport on the Levee. New apartments, office Aluminum producer Aleris ships automotive body sheet from its facility in buildings and parking lots are planned or Jack underway in Covington. And the Lewisport, Ky., to North American customers after a $400 million expansion Moreland that added automotive sheet heat treatment and finishing capabilities, a new President, redevelopment of the IRS site will be wide cold mill and two continuous annealing lines. Southbank announced next year. Young professionals Partners in continue moving in to Bellevue's historic Northern neighborhoods, while the city's bustling Kentucky Fairfield Avenue has attracted new restaurants, breweries, bars and shops. “Louisville Water Co.’s liquid assets Hundreds of single-family homes and multifamily units are continue to give the Louisville region a being built in Dayton. A six-story, mixed-use residential and strong platform for growth. In 2020, we retail building is under construction in Fort Thomas’ expect to deliver 33.6 billion gallons of business district. And finally, a distillery and brewery have water to nearly 1 million people in opened in Ludlow’s historic downtown.” Louisville and six surrounding Kentucky counties. We’re investing over $100 million Spencer Bruce in the region’s economy with President/CEO infrastructure and technology projects to “As we begin a new decade, Louisville’s Louisville ensure a high-quality and affordable economic renaissance is in full swing. Water Co. supply of water. As the only water utility in Since 2011, we’ve added 83,000 jobs and the nation to trademark tap water, the 3,000 businesses and more than $14 billion Louisville pure tap® message appears in popular tourism in capital investment in the last five years and business destinations, highlighting our connection to alone, including nearly $1 billion in quality of life and economic growth.” neighborhoods west of Ninth Street. You Greg see transformation in our skyline with new Fischer Mayor, landmarks like Omni Hotel Louisville and Louisville Lynn Family Stadium, which is opening in “In 2019, we were blessed to be identified Metro 2020 as the home of Louisville City FC and as The Best Place to Live in Kentucky by future home of Proof Louisville FC. This Money magazine, as well as honored by Site renaissance is happening across our city, from the Norton Selection magazine as No. 1 in its highlight Sports Health Athletics & Learning Complex to the of The Top Metros in the U.S. for new and restored Colonial Gardens, and the Northeast Regional expanded facilities, marking six Library. Growth of bourbon tourism – Bourbonism – has consecutive years being nationally ranked. built two dozen hotels, renovated Kentucky International Ronald Our targeted businesses announced over Convention Center and added Trifesta to our calendar, all Bunch of which help attract 16 million visitors annually. President/CEO, 900 new jobs and almost $350 million in Bowling Green capital investment in Bowling Green and Partnerships with JPMorgan Chase and Microsoft are Area Chamber Warren County this year, as a testament to fueling our high-tech training efforts and helping of Commerce our exceptional business climate. We are Louisville companies harness the power of tech tools like very thankful for our public and private artificial intelligence, data science and the internet of leadership that contribute to an exceptional quality of life things. In 2020, Louisville will become a city of greater for our community each year. Looking at our pipeline, we equity and compassion, with access to opportunity and expect this wonderful momentum to continue into 2020.” abundant resources, were everyone in every neighborhood has every chance to reach their full human potential.” ■

34 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

statistics show each job created from 2010 to 2017 (the last year for which comprehensive data is available) cost the state $2,408 in incentives. Public Incentives That price tag would be substantially higher – easily twice as much – if companies actually claimed all the credits they were entitled for beefing up payrolls in Kentucky. Net Thousands For example, only 46 percent of the $39.3 million in credits “earned” by companies in 2015 were claimed, state figures show. State incentives are often spread over 10 or 15 years and must be of Private Jobs claimed annually. The range of incentives at the state level, coupled with those that might be available through federal, county or city Kentucky counts 60,000 jobs, $23.5B in investment sources, can make business decisions from 1,200 incented projects in four years quite complex when companies evaluate all the options on the table in the commonwealth and perhaps in BY GREG PAETH neighboring states competing for that same project. “By far, the most-often used incentive program is UILDING a steel mill in cases, create new jobs throughout the the Kentucky Business Brandenburg, 45 miles commonwealth. Investment (KBI) southwest of Louisville, with The administration of outgoing Gov. program,” said Jack a price tag of $1.35 billion Matt Bevin claims his four years in office Mazurak, a spokesman and a start-up workforce of have been spectacularly successful in for the Cabinet for B400? How about a plant expansion at attracting $23.5 billion of business Economic Development. Jack Mazurak, Dippin’ Dots in Paducah that will investment that has or will create an To determine the size of Spokesman, increase payroll by 28 people, or a $34 estimated 60,000 jobs throughout an incentive offer, KBI Cabinet for million bourbon barrel manufacturing Kentucky. While Bevin has been uses a formula that Economic Development facility in the Edmonton-Metcalfe Kentucky’s CEO, some 1,200 individual includes the amount of a County Industrial Park? projects involving state incentives got a company’s investment, the number of The thread that binds these three green light. full-time jobs being created and the disparate projects together is found Many other projects involving average hourly wages paid, Mazurak only in Frankfort, where the Kentucky thousands more jobs went forward said. Cabinet for Economic Development can without benefit of incentives, which do “Those three targets are how the thumb through a catalog of incentives have performance strings attached. company’s performance is monitored designed to attract new companies, For those involving public benefits, over the 10- or 15-year course of the nurture existing businesses and, in both Cabinet for Economic Development incentive agreement,” he explained.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 35 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

$270 million in credits this decade From 2010 until October 2019, the Kentucky’s Economic Development Incentives cabinet approved up to $270.3 million in corporate tax credits for KBI projects. The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Industrial Revenue Bonds: IRBs issued by Development provides a huge variety of state and local governments in Kentucky can Approved companies achieved their incentive programs for new and expanding be used to finance manufacturing projects three targets often enough to “earn” industries. Some of the more popular are: and their warehousing areas, major $234.1 million in credits. transportation and communication facilities, One reason they hit Kentucky Business Investment Program: most health care facilities, and mineral those targets frequently is The state’s most popular incentive provides extraction and processing projects. that applicants are tax credits up to 100% of corporate income thoroughly screened. tax or limited liability entity tax as well as a Community Development Block Grant “wage assessment” of up to 4% of the taxable Loans: Federally funded low-interest loans Cabinet staff does plenty wages paid employees. The employee made available through the Department for of preliminary research receives credits against their state income tax Local Government. before a project is and local occupational tax so there is no Erran Persley, presented to the direct impact on the worker. Bluegrass State Skills Corp.: BSSC Kentucky Economic Commissioner provides a maximum $500 Skills Training of Business Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act: Investment Credit per trainee to companies Development Finance Development, Authority (KEDFA) Refunds Kentucky sales and use tax for creating at least 12 new full-time jobs for Cabinet for building and construction materials and for Kentuckians paying at least $12.51 per hour, board, which makes the Economic eligible equipment used for research and including benefits. A second program, final decision on Development development, data processing equipment or Grant-In-Aid, requires three trainees and incentives, according to flight simulation equipment. KEIA is the covers 50% of the cost with a maximum of Erran Persley, commissioner of business second most popular incentive. $2,000 per employee. development for the cabinet. The KEDFA board is comprised of Direct Loan Program: Provides business SBIR-STTR Matching Funds: Kentucky six business people from throughout loans to supplement other financing at aggressively matches up to 100% of federal below-market interest rates for fixed asset Small Business Innovation Research/Small the state and Secretary William financing for agribusiness, tourism, Business Technology Transfer grants to Landrum, who heads the Finance and industrial ventures or the service industry. companies with promising research and Administration Cabinet. Retail projects are not eligible. development efforts to commercialize their “All our incentives are performance findings. The company must locate in based,” Persley stressed, and contingent Kentucky. Other states’ matches top out at 50%. on the company annually hitting the targets Mazurak identified. “We roll up all of our dollars and Workforce, the ultimate incentive development efforts, real estate incentives into one spreadsheet that The finance authority also said the development, land use, permitting and goes before KEDFA. There are different company is eligible for assistance from planning and design operations. Because pockets of funding and we work with the Kentucky Skills Network, which can of its comprehensive makeup, she said, her different agencies to get funding, but help a company recruit and train department can “bring all of the regulatory the KEDFA board has final approval of employees. This incentive, which comes agencies around the table at the same time the package that moves forward,” in many forms, is probably the third to discuss site development plans. We also Persley said. most popular, Mazurak said. work with the state to identify tax incentives More often than not, companies are As might be expected, all of this that companies may qualify for.” enamored of the KBI corporate tax credit assistance comes with some strings “We participate in the state incentive that allows them to reduce their future attached. The cabinet doesn’t just grab program, withholding (and foregoing) income taxes or their payments to the its overcoat and head for the interstate up to 1% of our occupational wage tax,” state for payroll and occupational taxes. after photos have been taken at the Fleischaker said, adding that the city’s For example, Kentuckiana Curb, a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “incentive threshold is at least $18 per Louisville company that handles heating Once the project is up hour.” and air conditioning and roof system and running, companies Both Mazurak and products, received preliminary approval are monitored to ensure Gina Greathouse, from KEDFA on October 31 for a $6.5 that they deliver on the executive vice president million tax credit over 10 years if it fulfills promises they made to for economic development plans to spend $50 million on a new plant secure the incentives. for Commerce Lexington, and create 400 jobs that pay at least $29 an The state’s Revenue pointed out that cities are hour over the life of the agreement. Cabinet oversees Rebecca required to contribute to Gina compliance for state Fleischaker, incentive deals the state KEDFA approved providing Director of the Greathouse, Kentuckiana Curb with up to $500,000 incentives and those made Economic cabinet has put together. Executive Vice in incentives through the Kentucky available from other Development Other economic President for Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA), which government sources such Department, development Economic allows the company to recoup Kentucky as Louisville Metro, Louisville organizations throughout Development, sales and use tax for construction costs, according to Mazurak and Forward the state don’t provide Commerce building fixtures, equipment used in Rebecca Fleischaker, loans, grants or tax Lexington research and development and director of the Economic Development breaks to companies but electronic processing. Department for Louisville Forward. The do provide truckloads of information to The KEIA program is the second Cabinet for Economic Development also businesses, make introductions to key most popular, especially for companies scrutinizes the numbers, providing a people, open the doors to other new to the state that may be investing second level of review for the state. incentive sources and do their best to millions of dollars in a new building and Fleischaker pointed out that Louisville establish a good relationship and make new equipment, Mazurak said. Forward oversees the city’s economic prospects feel welcome.

36 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT Partner Content Opportunity zones: A vehicle for investing in Kentucky’s road map BY ROLF PROVAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING, LUCKETT & FARLEY Tax incentives spur private sector investments in 84 Kentucky counties

Choosing to invest your capital in local projects that leverage Luckett & Farley’s potential to include retail and opportunities offers you a unique chance knowledge across its verticals: Civic, academic office space. to build a legacy in the place you call Corporate Commercial & Hospitality, • Rural mixed-use — A newly home. But with so many needs out there, Distilled Spirits, Government, Higher constructed mixed-use hotel to the real challenge is knowing where to Education, and Industrial. At this support regional industry and a local begin. time our primary focus is on the many university. Programing opportunities To spur long-term private sector CRE, hospitality, and multi-family unit include restaurant, conference investments in low-income urban and opportunities in our chosen tracts. center, and hotel for growing campus rural communities and help identify Investing in the architectural integrity as well as growing local business where those investments are most needed, of tomorrow community. Congress established the Opportunity Since 1853, Luckett & Farley has been Luckett & Farley is proud to be leading Zones program as part of 2017’s Tax shaping the future of architecture and the way with these new opportunity zone Cut and Jobs Act. New investments in design. When you invest in Luckett funds. If you are interested in learning opportunity zones receive preferential & Farley’s opportunity zone fund, more, please reach out to Rolf Provan at tax treatment, including zero tax on you’re placing your trust in the largest [email protected] or Gant Hill gains earned from the opportunity zone architecture firm in the state. With at [email protected]. fund, deferred payment of capital gains architecture, interior design, engineering, originally invested into the fund, and procurement, and master planning all reducing owed taxes on the original fund in-house, we’re ready to take on new investment by up to 15%. developments with a host of experts to Kentucky has established 144 tracts help guide the selection, planning, and designated as opportunity zones in 84 design process. counties. This presents a wide range We also have under our umbrella Luckett of opportunities for our community’s & Farley Development, LLC, dedicated leaders to invest around the state to helping our partners identify needs, and make an impact that can last for verify a project’s financial feasibility, generations. execute it through vetted acquisition, Transformation of communities brings and manage the asset throughout the more than a financial return life of the investment with our property Investing in an opportunity zone brings management firm. All of this comes in additional profits, but it also brings addition to the design and construction improvements to the communities we management skills Luckett & Farley has live in. In Louisville, we’ve seen how built its reputation on. the revitalization of old, abandoned Louisville focus. Regional impact. neighborhoods can bring people and Global reach. businesses back, allowing them to The current target projects we’re moving flourish. Opportunity zones provide forward on are focused in Kentucky but incentives and safety nets for investors to carry the potential to have a wider impact spread their wealth outside of the usual on the people we can serve and attract to areas and into communities that need these areas: improvements. • Urban hospitality — Renovation Investment guided by design: Luckett of existing iconic building located & Farley Opportunity Zone Fund within the urban center in close We understand the value of local proximity to an entertainment investments and know that a well- district. Potential programing designed building can give an entire opportunities include restaurant, neighborhood new character. That is why office, apartment, and hotel spaces. we formed an opportunity zone fund • Urban mixed-use — Mixed-use built on a foundation of design geared opportunity to partner with local toward local impact. urban college. Renovation of existing Luckett & Farley’s opportunity zone building and retention of currently fund will target a range of real estate occupied tenant. Programing

LuckettFarley ad_final2.indd 1 11/27/19 4:54 PM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

One such organization is Commerce automotive components in Florence and Persley and Mazurak made it clear Lexington, the Chamber of Commerce Elsmere in Northern Kentucky. where the cabinet stands on this issue. for the region that radiates out from Going back to 1999, the company has “The No. 1 question across the Lexington. received state incentives worth about $21 country is workforce – do you have the “We’re the convener,” Greathouse said. million for six expansion projects and has workforce to support our company? “We don’t provide any direct incentives. obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars Can we get a good talented workforce if We help coordinate the process so that from the state for training thousands of we come to Kentucky? Site and when we have a (prospective) economic employees for Bluegrass State Skills Corp. workforce go together, but at the end of development client, my team and I programs. Mubea has gotten training the day let’s be honest: A lot of the sites manage those projects from the beginning incentives 45 times, according to state are going to be similar,” Persley said. to the end. Always at the table with us is reports. “Labor force is really No. 1 in a lot of Kevin Atkins from the (Lexington) peoples’ minds. And Jack made a great Mayor’s Office of Economic Workforce, good sites outrank incentives point: No amount of incentives is going Development,” she said, referring to the There is no one standard to fix the fact that you don’t have the city’s chief development officer. path most companies take workforce.” to arrive at their first Meanwhile, low wages stand out as Good relationships are gold meeting at the offices of the reason why some companies are not “We organize the visit, set up the Northern Kentucky Tri- offered incentives. meetings, the roundtables, one-on-ones County Economic “The typical reason Louisville does and organize property searches. Development Corp. not participate in (offering a prospect) Sometimes they might say they need (Tri-ED) in Fort Mitchell, Lee Crume, incentives is low wages,” said GLI’s 7,000 s.f. of eclectic office space because said Lee Crume, president President & Fleischaker. CEO, Northern they want their engineers to be in a cool and CEO of Tri-ED. All Kentucky “We always tell people,” Greathouse environment,” Greathouse said. “You economic development Tri-ED said, “if they want to come in here and want to get to know them better...build a professionals interviewed try to pay $8 an hour, A, they won’t relationship, because a lot of time that’s for this story concurred. incent you to do that, and B, you’re not what it takes (to close a deal). When they meet with companies going to find anyone for $8 an hour. So “You definitely don’t want to give looking for a growth location, Tri-ED Lexington might not be the best fit for away things you don’t have to,” said representatives regularly deal with you. If you can’t hire people to do the Greathouse, who worked for the state businesses already inside its home base of job for you, why come here?” cabinet earlier in her career. “Some Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties as Rosetti, who took her Tri-ED post companies don’t even want incentives, well as with those from outside Northern earlier this year after more than a but most of them do.” Kentucky, Crume said. decade at Commerce Lexington, agrees. In Louisville, Deana The state of Kentucky sends leads to “If the company across the street is Karem plays a similar role Tri-ED, Crume said, as does REDI offering $2 more an hour, you’re not for Greater Louisville Inc. Cincinnati, which works on economic going to be successful,” she said, as that chamber’s senior development projects on both sides of explaining why some companies’ vice president for regional the Ohio River and a corner of incentive proposals get rejected. economic growth. GLI’s southeast Indiana. “Our job is not just to get more projects economic development However, in terms of raw numbers, to the state, but the quality of the projects region includes 10 Deana Karem, he said, site selection consultants have matters,” Persley said. “If a project is not Senior Vice counties in Kentucky and President for proven to be the best single source of paying a good wage and we know it can’t five in Indiana. Regional business prospects. be successful…we will tell them this is not “The most common Economic Prospects typically first ask about the best place for them to establish their way that we get the Growth, available sites and “want to know what project. With a low (current) opportunity to sell our Greater the workforce looks like in Northern unemployment rate, you have to be community to Louisville Inc. Kentucky,” Crume said. competitive with the market. If a company companies,” Karem said, “Sometimes you have to fails at the end of the day, that doesn’t “is through site selectors.” be creative in finding these help anybody – it doesn’t help the These consultants advise companies workforce solutions,” said company; it doesn’t help the state.” on the best options for locating Kimberly Rossetti, Tri-ED operations based on factors that include vice president of economic Large companies still want incentives property size, cost, infrastructure, ease development. To find Few people are openly critical of state of access to raw materials and their end people who could work economic development incentive customers, skilled workforce availability, with their hands for one Kimberly packages, even when these government and how cooperative local and state prospect whose jobs Rossetti, Vice deal sweeteners sometimes go to officials are. required manual dexterity, President of companies that don’t seem to need Economic When companies want to find the Rossetti said, she phoned Development, assistance. right site, “99% of them may be looking around to nail salons and Northern Amazon, rated by Forbes as the for something (important to them) but dentist’s offices to talk with Kentucky world’s 28th largest publicly held they’re not looking at county lines,” dental assistants. She Tri-ED company with estimated 2019 revenue Karem said. “They want to meet with us found potential workers, of $275 billion, broke ground in May in and find out the options. When they but the company wound up locating Northern Kentucky for its Prime Air start narrowing it down to a site, that’s elsewhere in the state. hub. It is expected to have a final price when they start looking at incentives.” A talented workforce and good sites tag of about $1.5 billion and create at Mazurak said one company that “really were mentioned over and over again as least 2,000 new jobs. When the project ‘gets it’ in terms of working with the state” top priorities for new and expanding was announced in 2017, the state said if is Mubea, a German company that makes companies. the online shopping giant hits agreed-

38 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT Nucor Corp. received far more of the same kind of corporate tax credits – up to $30 million worth – in one of the biggest economic development announcements of the year and up to $10 million in sales and use tax incentives to cover construction costs and equipment. Like Dippin’ Dots and Nucor, whisky barrel-maker Pennington Stave and Cooperage was approved for tax incentives up to $2 million and assistance from the Kentucky Skills Network.

Outgunned Kentucky usually “boxing up” Although many of the incentive offers from the state may seem to be incredibly alluring, Persley said other states often come up with even more lucrative packages. “I’ll be quite honest with you – and I said this publicly in a hearing just yesterday before the rural issues committee at the capital – we are usually ‘boxing up’ (fighting heavier, stronger competition). We are usually outgunned when it comes to incentives,” Persley said. “I’ve seen a project where we have the best site, workforces were similar, (but) one of three states in the running upon levels of investment and job Although its signature Worldport was able to offer a great deal of cash and creation, it would be eligible for up to would already seem to have UPS we couldn’t match that. They (some $40 million in tax credits and assistance anchored in Louisville, Persley said the other states) do have more money to from the Kentucky Skills Network for company “had other options” if it throw at a project.” employee recruitment and training. wanted to expand elsewhere and that Persley’s comments about Kentucky The Cabinet for Economic the presence of Worldport didn’t being “outgunned” by some other states Development noted then that Amazon guarantee that projects such as are supported by a recent report in Area “has had a significant presence in Kentucky maintenance support for its growing Development, a respected national since 1999. It currently has 11 fulfillment fleet of aircraft would be built at the magazine that looks at economic growth centers in Kentucky that employ more Louisville Muhammad Ali International and prepares an annual ranking of the than 10,000 people full-time.” Airport. best states for business development. For 2018, Amazon reported net “Having a good (incentives) offer for Kentucky did well overall, tying income of $10.1 billion on revenues of this expansion made us better Florida for 12th place when Area some $233 billion. Kentucky state positioned for any future expansion. Development analyzed data in a dozen government’s annual budget is around When we’re thinking about projects, we categories from all 50 states. But three $35 billion. have to think about what can happen neighboring states that might be in Logistics giant UPS reported 2018 today and we’re looking down the road direct competition for projects scored revenue of $71.8 billion and has its and want to incentivize that long-term better: Tennessee ranked second, Ohio huge Worldport global distribution hub vision,” he said. “There are certain was ninth and Indiana was tenth. in Louisville. It received a potential tax companies in certain sectors we want to Despite being financially outmatched credit in October of $40 million over 15 attract to our state that we believe will in most cases, Kentucky has had an years if it fulfills plans to invest up to create other clusters of companies that incredible (past) four years, Persley said. $750 million to expand its UPS Airlines will come because (UPS) is here … and “Some of the things that we offer as a home base and related Worldport then (we can) go after the (related) state you just can’t buy: navigable package sorting operations and creates supply-chain or cluster companies as waterways, the great logistics – UPS, 1,000 jobs paying $70 an hour over the well. We want to look at the company in DHL and in the future Amazon – and life of the agreement. the five-year, 10-year, 20-year vision of our location, where within a day you can Up to $4 million of the UPS tax what that company can bring to our hit two-thirds of the (U.S.) population,” incentives – similar to those made state.” he explained. “And we use those facts to available to Nucor for the $1 billion-plus One of the companies mentioned compete. We are out-hustling a lot of steel mill in Brandenburg – will waive sales earlier, Dippin’ Dots, which is a people. We’re going to walk with you taxes to lower the initial costs of cryogenically-frozen ice cream from the beginning to the end. Once construction, building fixtures, research producer, received corporate tax credits they cut the ribbons, that’s not where it and development equipment, and up to $600,000 through the Kentucky ends.” ■ electronic processing. The shipper also Business Investment program and received approval for workforce assistance further assistance through the Kentucky Greg Paeth is a correspondent for The Lane Report. from the Kentucky Skills Network. Skills Network. He can be reached at [email protected].

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 39 LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK New Politics for Budget Session

Kentucky’s famed Beaux Arts style Capitol will be at the center of a political whirlwind when the 2020 session of the General Assembly convenes to come up with a new biennial budget. New Democratic Governor Andy Beshear and a slate of new Cabinet secretaries will work with a House and Senate that have Republican supermajorities.

background in building buildings with his family’s Gray Construction, he will now direct building roads. Lt. Gov.-elect Jacqueline Coleman will become secretary of education and workforce development. It’s been a quarter century since a person in the second spot served in the cabinet. Lt. Gov. Coleman, an educator, Jacqueline becomes a more equal Coleman lieutenant governor. Guiding the House Leaders cast as equals tasked floor is Rep. Bam Carney, with governing Kentucky in 2020 also an educator. In this role, Carney covers the entire range of issues. BY BOB BABBAGE AND JULIE BABBAGE Speaker Pro Tempore Bam Carney David Meade, Whip Chad McCoy and Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles round out the GOP leadership. In a ORIS Kearns Goodwin with long-time House surprising move, the House has invited captured the unexpected member Rocky Adkins Beshear to their annual retreat – an alliances of Lincoln’s in the role of senior expression of goodwill both ways. presidency in her advisor. Adkins spent 14 masterpiece years as House majority D“Team of leader before the Rivals.” Borrowing a Republican takeover, Rocky Adkins version of this then ran against Beshear phenomenon, the in the 2019 Primary. dynamics of 2020 in Adkins will lend David Meade Chad McCoy Suzanne Miles Frankfort might be called considerable “team of equals.” Gov. Andy understanding of the Balancing major power Democratic Gov.-elect Beshear legislative process and in the Senate are President Andy Beshear faces a provide a valuable Pro Tempore David Republican House and conduit to Rep. Derrick Derrick Givens and Majority Floor Senate. When the divide Graham and Rep. Joni Graham Leader Damon Thayer. becomes too great, the Jenkins in their roles as Frankfort observers see Thayer as a prospect for decidedly GOP Democratic leaders. Both David Givens legislature supermajority have given input as part higher office. Leadership can always override the Senate of the administration’s also features Majority Whip Mike Wilson chief executive, settling President transition team. and Caucus Chair Julie Raque Adams the debate at hand. In Robert Stivers Former Lexington working to keep the GOP Senate in sync. this sense, Senate Mayor will Adding to the GOP tilt are five Jim Gray Joni Jenkins President Robert Stivers head Transportation, a and House Speaker surprise move. Gray had David Osborne wield been talked about for a equal and historically governor’s race but chose heavy gavels. the congressional Still, the new governor Democratic primary is adding allies who were House Speaker against Amy McGrath. Damon Thayer Mike Wilson Julie Raque once challengers, starting David Osborne With a strong Jim Gray Adams

40 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT constitutional officers. Agriculture accomplishment in the three hold important leadership roles Commissioner Ryan Quarles enters his 2019 session, but now in the 38-member chamber. Called second term with a large mandate at the comes the funding piece ERPO, or Extreme Risk Protection polls. State Auditor Mike Harmon and estimated to be more Order, similar laws in other states are Treasurer Allison Ball were also than $300 million for the being used as examples. re-elected by wide margins. two years. Sen. Max Wise Northern Kentucky itself is a team of and Rep. equals with a cadre of Newcomers hold the two remaining Regina Huff Max Wise will be front and center committee chairs. In on this. The issue is a addition to McDaniel and good example of the Moser, Sen. John local impact spread Schickel and Rep. Adam across regions for what Koenig manage active, comes out of Frankfort. parallel licensing and Equally concerned occupations committees. John Schickel Ryan Quarles Mike Harmon Allison Ball about policy impacting Regina Huff Koenig is also a vocal statewide spots. Daniel Cameron, cities are proponent of sports former general counsel to U.S. Senate mayors of betting, an issue Beshear Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky’s has pushed as part of his became the first Republican to win the two largest revenue plan. attorney general’s seat in seven decades cities: Additional funding and the first African American to hold Mayor considerations will Adam Koenig this position. The role has proven to be Linda require significant effort. prominent and pivotal during Andy Gorton of Linda Gorton Greg Fischer The pension issue looms large now Beshear’s term. Republican election Lexington and Mayor Greg Fischer of and will for years to come. Rep. James lawyer Michael Adams is secretary of Louisville, now co-chair for former New Tipton and Rep. Jerry Miller have led state, a seat that’s alternated parties York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s the charge from the GOP with Rep. Joe back-to-back four times now. presidential campaign. Graviss taking the lead for the Other scenarios for leaders in roles Rep. Kim Moser chairs the Health and Democrats. Welfare Committee, a Of ever-increasing weight is the road forum for key issues, fund, as infrastructure updates are leading to hard work in the off-season known as the interim session. Public health transformation is a bill pre-filed by Moser after Daniel Mitch Michael much work from a Kim Moser Cameron McConnell Adams coalition of stakeholders considered equal also emerge. over the summer. James Tipton Jerry Miller Joe Graviss Creating the state’s two-year Her Senate spending plan is a tough task, and 2020 counterpart, Dr. Ralph badly needed around the state. Sen. is a budget session. Beshear will present Alvarado, was Gov. Bevin’s Jimmy Higdon and Rep. Sal Santoro the governor’s budget on Jan. 21. running mate. Alvarado’s oversee numerous Then House active Senate panel means Ralph Alvarado requests for Appropriations & Revenue that he manages numerous transportation funding. chair, Steven Rudy, works proposals. Being an election year over the document. Next Always top of mind in to boot, 2020 is one for the comes the Senate, where the health category is books. Never before has Christian McDaniel is Medicaid – a significant Kentucky faced the chair. In many ways the budget factor with billions political conditions in Jimmy Higdon arduous budget job never Steven Rudy to manage, the majority which it currently finds stops for these leaders. being federal funds. Steve Meredith itself. Perhaps an Rivals in sports but close Leaders on this are Sen. extraordinary era of equals peers in their professional Steve Meredith and Rep. will result in extraordinary calling, university Dan Elliott, chairs of outcomes. ■ presidents will make a Medicaid oversight. budget appeal. Rare cooperation on a Neeli Sal Santoro Bendapudi of UofL and proposed new gun law Christian UK’s Eli Capilouto have has originated in the Dan Elliot recently accented McDaniel Senate, led by Paul teamwork in Hornback support of (R) and higher Morgan Bob Babbage and Julie Babbage are education. McGarvey with government School (D) and relations firm safety was joined by Babbage a Julie Cofounder. celebrated Neeli Eli Capilouto Raque Paul Morgan Bendapudi Adams. All Hornback McGarvey

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 41 MARKETING

“Family Ties,” “Full House,” “Growing Pains” and “Alf.” I wore brands like Adidas (with the fat laces), Eastlands, Ocean Pacific and Swatch. A lot of my decisions on what I purchased were based on the commercials I saw watching celebrities from my favorite shows: Michael Jordan and Wheaties, Bill Cosby and Coca-Cola; even Tony the Tiger had me wanting to try Frosted Flakes. Those celebrities and others were the original influencers. Fast forward to present day, and the conversation around influencer marketing is still prevalent and relevant. Only this time, the influencers are your next-door neighbor or the tech-savvy friends of your kids. We define influencer marketing as a form of marketing that involves celebrities or influential industry experts tasked with selling a product. The rise of social media has given birth to the term “social media influencer,” where brands work with people who have huge followings on various social media platforms to sell a product. Studies show that 74% of people trust social networks to guide purchasing decisions, so now companies The Power are seeking to understand the impact of influencers and how to work with them. But let me offer you this one piece of advice when it comes to influencers, and it will be the most important thing of Influencers you read in this article: “There is no ONE WAY to work with influencers.” How to work successfully with those Oftentimes companies will reach out who can persuade your customers to their industry colleagues to get advice on how best to work with influencers, but given the varying budgets, staff sizes BY GATHAN BORDEN and resources available, each company will give them a different answer, which is why I always say there is no one way to work with influencers. Instead, allow me HE influencer marketing world, influencer marketing isn’t new – it’s to give you some advice and insight that industry is set to reach $10 just grown exponentially in recent years can help you define how your company billion by the year 2020. through the power of social media. can work with influencers. While influencers are all As an ’80s baby, I grew up watching Here are five tips to help you: the rage at marketing TV shows like “The Cosby Show,” “Saved 1. Make sure your company has an Tmeetings and roundtables across the By The Bell,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” internal consensus for how you define

42 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT an influencer. In today’s marketplace, anyone can be an influencer. The key is really determining if you think they can actually “influence” someone to purchase your product. With 49% of consumers depending on influencer recommendations, I am of the belief influencers are a big part of the marketing funnel, and their greatest asset is content creation. I actually define them as content creators and use them in that capacity versus solely relying on them to influence people to purchase because, let’s be honest, ours is not the only product they are selling. 2. Create a specific contract with deliverables for each influencer. Before you begin, start with the end in mind. You need to have a clear vision of what you want from each influencer you work with. Each influencer has a niche in terms of content they cover and assets they can create for various platforms. The key here is finding what you are agree that no one in this world works of separation,” and I would even argue missing and working with them to fill for free. that within the influencer world that your content holes. If you are missing 4. Don’t ignore the people in your number is even smaller. Most influencers photography, put a greater emphasis on own backyard. Because of social media, travel with and know other influencers, so that. If you are missing written articles, there is now a rising class of influencers use those relationships to build more then put a greater emphasis on that. In you can tap into locally, termed as relationships with influencers across the the end, the contract should be “micro-influencers.” These are world. You can work with your local mutually beneficial. individuals who may not have huge influencers to help connect you with out- 3. Decide what your office can and followings in terms of numbers, but of-market influencers. will offer in terms of compensation. To have highly engaged followers and they Remember, marketing is a marathon, pay or not to pay? That is the question. are local to the community in which not a sprint. Influencers are now an Compensation is monetary and non- your company does business. Finding additional water stop during the race, so monetary, and while some companies local influencers can be relatively easy, whether you are beginning your journey pay in the form of money, others pay in because most of them could be existing into influencer marketing or even if the form of products, tickets and access customers, and would be more than you’ve been doing it for years, just to events. Whatever it is, you need to happy to assist you in your marketing remember: “There is no ONE WAY to make it clear not only within the office, efforts. work with influencers.” ■ but with the influencer you are working 5. Cultivate your influencer with. Again, there is no right or wrong relationships for future opportunities. We Gathan Borden is vice president way to do this, but I think we can all are all familiar with the idea of “6 degrees of marketing for visitLEX.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 43 EMERGING LANE Kentucky’s young professionals and creatives

morning at 10 a.m. and sold out in 10 minutes flat,” Rick said. He and Joni discussed what it would look like as a business opportunity, to create themed T-shirts and sell them online and at local festivals. They bought a screen-printing press, put it in their Georgetown home and grew the business grassroots-style, pounding the pavement. “We did that out of our garage for two years,” he said. They opened a seasonal Christmas shop in 2014, then found a permanent retail space in nearby Lexington the next year – until a car drove through the building in summer 2017. Shortly after, Shop Local Kentucky opened a shop in the Shelby Park area of Louisville – and a Shop Local Kentucky vehicle drove through it as well, less than owners Rick and six months after the Lexington incident. Joni Paynter at their The Louisville building was condemned, Bowling Green store, but the Lexington building was repaired one of three locations. and Shop Local Kentucky still has a retail The store also has a shop there on Woodland Avenue, near website, thekyshop.com. the UK campus. The owners of Shop Local Kentucky spent 2018 and most of 2019 Shop Local Kentucky concentrating on their Lexington store, e-commerce business and social media presence. The shop has more Spreading joy one T-shirt at a time than 141,000 followers on Instagram and 257,000 on Facebook. ROM branded ballcaps and socks have a nice dialog with us about what they In October 2019, the Paynters to seasonally themed sweatshirts want and how they want it.” opened a store on State Street in and irreverant message tees, Instead of creating a product and Bowling Green, and in November they Fpromoting Kentucky with fun and joy is promoting it to customers, the Paynters opened in Covington on Pike Street, an important aspect of the Shop Local do it the other way around more often next to Braxton Brewery. Kentucky business model – as is than not, asking their social media “There’s a ton of action there,” Rick providing an opportunity to donate followers what they want. said of downtown Covington. “The area proceeds to charities. “How can we provide something you is up and coming with young Owners Rick and Joni Paynter sell think is a cool garment?” is an underlying entrepreneurs and businesses.” merchandise through their online store marketing message from Shop Local Weathering the ups and downs (and (thekyshop.com) and retail locations in Kentucky. To date, best sellers are drive-throughs) of retail, Rick and Joni Lexington, Bowling Green and “anything relating to Southern life or Paynter are in it for the long haul. “We Covington. Kentucky living,” according to Rick. love what we do every day,” he said. “I love that we get to work together,” When Rick Paynter graduated from Because, as one of their best-selling Joni said. “Spreading joy one T-shirt at the University of Kentucky with a degree designs says, “Life is better in a time, we hope we do that. We hope in psychology, he was prepared to enter Kentucky.”—Kathie Stamps we make people smile.” several different fields. Unfortunately, it Most of their business comes from was during the 2009 recession, so there online orders, and they ship to all 50 weren’t a lot of positions available. He states, 25 countries and to military worked in a tire store, found himself personnel through APOs. Production coding and designing websites, then takes place in-house at the Lexington landed a job as marketing director with headquarters. the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. With the job title of “Chief A native of Winchester, Paynter has an Kentuckian,” Rick Paynter oversees “a innate love of the commonwealth, so he little bit of everything,” he said. He works started an Instagram account highlighting with the design team, production, all things Kentucky, like restaurants, garment sourcing and marketing. Joni is scenery, activities and cool places. His hands-on with the customer experience wife, Joni, grew up in Owensboro. They and makes sure everything behind the soon amassed 20,000 followers on scenes is coming together with the Instagram and one day decided to design company’s two dozen employees. a T-shirt and donate 100% of the “We’re very much of the mindset that proceeds to The Toy Chest, a children’s kindness rules everything,” Rick said. charity based in Lexington. “We’re super nice to our customers. They “We took the shirts online on a Friday

44 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT UofL Consortium to Drive AI Use in Business

HE University of Louisville Brothers Jameson (left) and Ben McBrayer College of Business has founded the AI Innovation Consortium T(AIIC) with participation from industry leaders that include Amazon Web McBrayer Digital: Brothers in Business Services, General Electric Appliances, Amgen, V-Soft Consulting and other RE you still using the term “Google AdWords”? If so, you might note that the Fortune 1000 companies. tech giant actually renamed its paid search program in the summer of 2018 to The AIIC is a Louisville-based think “Google Ads.” tank of IT and advanced technology AKeeping up with digital marketing is a full-time job, one that brothers Ben and thought leaders focusing on how AI Jameson McBrayer are having a blast doing in Lexington with their own company, can propel organizations and the McBrayer Digital. (The digital company is not affiliated with the well-known McBrayer community forward. Specifically, the law firm, although their dad is a distant relative of the namesake attorney.) AIIC will build standards and best Ben started the business in the summer of 2017. His younger brother, Jameson, practices that help drive AI adoption, joined him in January 2019 and said, “I haven’t looked back.” evolve privacy, data governance and Ben echoed the sentiment. “I won’t ever go back to a regular desk job if I don’t bias, guiding principles and effectively have to,” he said. align AI evolution. Digital marketing extends beyond the internet to ads on smart TVs and streaming services, mobile apps and games. “We lay out the strategy and placement, arranging the flight dates and the size of the buy,” Ben said. And they analyze data. So much data. “With digital, everything is tracked.” “There are so many variables,” Jameson said, noting that it’s important to stick with your marketing company for more than a month at a time. “What digital The AIC recently hosted its marketing does is allow you to track all those variables.” inaugural event, with contributions In addition to Google Ads, the McBrayer brothers run ad campaigns for their clients from IT leadership from top local, on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Shopify, among other platforms, and can help set regional and global companies. The up Amazon stores and e-commerce. They’ve worked with the Lexington-based Fazoli’s event featured design-thinking sessions, chain, Jefferson County Public Schools, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and small family- a presentation on the AI landscape and owned businesses. McBrayer Digital subcontracts other professionals for graphics, workshops on AI chatbots and image/ branding and other projects that fall outside their main focus. video detection systems. “The people receiving the ads are the ones most likely to be interested in it,” Ben said. In 2020, the AIIC plans to open its “This is not the ’90s, and we are not programming pop-up ads. We’re advertising InnovaLab, which will contain industry- businesses only to the people who would be the most interested in them.” specific incubators to provide a As founder and owner, Ben McBrayer handles in-platform setup, campaign strategy, practical platform from which digital media placement, and back-end tracking and implementation, while Jameson is pharmaceutical, oil and gas, financial, in charge of the project management software and keeping things on task. health care and industrial Born and raised in Georgetown, the brothers graduated from the University of manufacturing companies can explore Kentucky four years apart – Ben with a degree in communications and Jameson with and accelerate AI development. a marketing degree – and both wound up working at Big Ass Fans in Lexington at “The AI InnovaLab will provide a different times. Ben completed his MBA while working there. grass-roots development environment The best do-it-yourself advice the brothers have for Facebook marketing is to where consortium participants can have a content calendar and post regularly, boosting certain posts to get attention leverage the consortium experts, and gain traction. design engineering tools and AI rapid “When you really want to start using advanced targeting techniques and putting solution delivery platforms to see their the scientific method behind advertising, that’s when we’ll step in,” Ben said. AI concepts come to life,” said Konrad Facebook rolled out a major update in late summer 2019 for its ad platform Konarski, AIIC founding member and along with regulations on what can and cannot be used in an ad. co-chair and V-Soft consulting AI & IoT “If you post without knowledge of what you should and shouldn’t put on there practice head. “These solutions will not you could get your ad account shut down, which is a big process to get opened back only demonstrate AI technology, but up again,” Jameson said. “The minutiae does matter.” will do so with value and specific Another tip for small businesses is to make sure you’re on Google My Business. industries in mind.” “If you look up your own listing and it says ‘own this’ or ‘claim this,’ you’d better claim Alongside established and it,” Ben said. “Take the steps to be officially recognized on Google My Business.“ recognized Fortune 1000 companies, With the whole world online, digital marketing has quickly become a tool for the students at UofL will also play an laser-focused local marketing. The brothers of McBrayer Digital are happy important role in supporting research providing a personal touch to local clients. and development work. UofL’s “Kentucky, and Lexington in particular, is a really good business environment,” bachelors, masters and Ph.D programs Ben McBrayer said. “It’s great for entrepreneurs; there’s a lot of collaboration and will support efforts ranging from AIIC innovation happening. Businesses are growing left and right.” training and crowdsourcing to next- Their website is mcbrayer.digital or the old standby, McbrayerDigital.com.—Kathie Stamps generation AI research.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 45 THE LANE LIST

KENTUCKY’S LARGEST 2019 NEW AND EXPANDED INDUSTRIES These are the top new and expanding industry announcements in Kentucky for 2018 through November 2019. The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development website (thinkkentucky.com) indicates that for January through September (reporting date Oct. 23) of this year there were 133 projects totaling $4.365 billion in investment, supporting 8,190 new full-time jobs.

NEW FULL-TIME NEW FULL-TIME LOCATION INVESTMENT FACILITY PRODUCT EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES (CITY, COUNTY) (BEGINNING) (FULL)

$1.358 billion Nucor Corp. Steel plate manufacturing mill 400 400 Brandenburg, Meade Ford Motor Co. Louisville $550.000 million Ford Escape & Lincoln MKC assembly 185 185 Louisville, Jefferson Assembly Plant AMLCD glass substrate for mobile $250.000 million Corning Inc. devices -- -- Harrodsburg, Mercer Toyota Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Toyota Motor $238.000 million Camry Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Engines -- -- Georgetown, Scott Manufacturing Kentucky axels, blocks, crankshafts

Phoenix Paper Wickliffe $200.000 million Pulp & brown paper packaging na na Wickliffe, Ballard LLC $111.933 million CMWA Steel & aluminum automotive wheels 145 145 Paris, Bourbon Georgia Pacific Consumer $100.000 million Paper plates 50 50 Bowling Green, Warren Operations LLC $100.000 million Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP Chewing tobacco, moist snuff 120 120 Owensboro, Daviess Manufacture & distribution of carbon Meggitt Aircraft Braking $82.680 million brake discs, brake assemblies & 83 83 Danville, Boyle Systems KY components for aircraft Manufacture detergent & warehouse/ $81.497 million Henkel Corp. distribution -- -- Bowling Green, Warren

Bendix Spicer Foundation Develop, manufacture & distribute air $65.075 million 94 94 Bowling Green, Warren Brake LLC brake systems $50.000 million Rabbit Hole Spirits LLC Bourbon distilling & other spirits 28 28 Campbellsburg, Henry $50.000 million Alpla Inc. Bottling & packaging 60 60 Bowling Green, Warren Pennington Stave & $34.414 million White oak staves & barrels 126 126 Edmonton, Metcalfe Cooperate Richmond Auto Parts Automotive transmission gears, chassis $21.759 million 20 20 Richmond, Madison Technology Inc. & transmission components $21.024 million Tower International Inc. Automotive structural components 50 50 Shepherdsville, Bullitt Commercial bakery of cookies, snack $20.000 million More Than A Bakery crackers & crumbs 90 90 Versailles, Woodford Manufacture & distribution of soft $19.400 million Ale 8 One Bottling Co. drink beverages 40 40 Winchester, Clark

$18.835 million RKW-North America Polyethelene films for packaging 30 30 Franklin, Simpson Whiskey & distilled spirits bottling, $17.744 million Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc. headquarters -- -- Bardstown, Nelson

Source: ThinkKentucky.com

YOU ARE NOBODY’S FOOL.

Because you’re reading this. A 2016 research study found that magazine readers are engaged, knowledgeable, and inquisitive, and that magazines are THE LANE REPORT the most trusted, inspiring and motivating form of media. That means Lane (859) 244-3500 Report readers are more likely to separate fact from fiction and make better lanereport.com/advertising informed decisions. Sound like a great audience for advertising? You bet. CD2020-FullPgColor-ad (8.125x10.875)_Layout 1 10/31/2019 3:37 PM Page 1

PRESENTED BY

foJr the pirenmier kuick-soff of the Legislative session

The state’s largest gathering of business and political leaders! Don’t miss your opportunity to network with the who’s who of Kentucky. You’ll hear the governor and the state’s top four legislative leaders (all invited) share their visions for Kentucky’s economy, government and politics in the year ahead.

REGISTER TODAY! Individual tickets and corporate tables of ten available.

kychamber.com/events/kychamberday [email protected] | 502-848-8727 EXPLORING KENTUCKY

Left: The parlor at Maple Hill Manor in Springfield.

Below: Guests at Fairyhouse Hall in Lexington are treated to the culinary creations of owner and executive chef, Shane Haffey.

release, the farm also features a brand- new barn that can seat 100 for an event and a wide front porch with breathtaking views of the countryside. Rooms with a View Overnight accommodations include a big, fully equipped country kitchen Kentucky inns offer a charming escape for guests to prepare their own breakfasts. (All food for your first BY KATHERINE TANDY BROWN breakfast is provided. Then you can dive into your own provisions and cook on a spacious Garland stove or outdoors on a charcoal or gas grill.) An outdoor NE thing Kentucky has in an indoor meeting, 250 outdoors for a cleared area has a fire pit, barbecue pit abundance is gorgeous scenery, cocktail reception, 40 for a food pairing, and picnic tables. Miles of trails for Oand you don’t have to look far and up to 50 for a bourbon tasting at hiking and/or horseback riding to find it. The following three getaway the property’s 500-s.f. bourbon tasting meander past the barn and through a spots offer comfy lodging, lots to do and room. Up to 16 can stay overnight for a meadow below. of course, wide porches to settle on and family/friends outing or corporate simply gaze into the lovely countryside, retreat. should you choose to chill. And all are “Corporate groups,” says Haffey, “can ideal for family vacations, girlfriend and gather around an after-dinner bonfire guyfriend getaways, and/or corporate with cigars and brandy. Keep in mind, retreats. we’re not a B&B.” Nestled right in the middle of Concierge services can arrange Bluegrass Thoroughbred country, bourbon tours, cooking classes, mystery Fairyhouse Hall in Lexington is dinners and visits to Keeneland appropriately named for Ireland’s Racecourse and other area attractions. famed Fairyhouse Racecourse, home to Not far from Lexington down I-75 in the Irish Grand National Steeplechase. the Richmond area, Jordan Hill Farm Owner Shane Haffey, a former specializes in providing its guests with steeplechase jockey in the Emerald Isle, “comfort and serenity” in an original serves as executive chef and promises 1800s-era, two-story log home that guests a marvelous culinary/epicurean accommodates four to 12 guests. Set on experience. His wife, Heather, is in 85 acres of beautiful, rolling acreage charge of marketing. with lush landscaping, a flowing creek Rife with old-world English and Irish and stocked ponds for catch and charm, this grand, Georgian-inspired estate is a working sustainable farm – the couple raise their own beef, poultry, pigs, ducks, turkey and guinea hens for serving guests – complete with stone- walled formal gardens and easy access to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. A warm, cozy fireside seat beckons guests Event capacities include up to 60 for at Jordan Hill Farm near Richmond.

48 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT Jordan HIll Farm overlooks 85 acres of rolling Kentucky countryside.

At the end of the day, a porch and a deck offer swings and rocking chairs for viewing horses and hummingbirds. There is also a five-person “soft,” extra- comfy hot tub. rooms with antique furnishings, some with Ogle the Views Joyce Green and husband Joe Foland Jacuzzis and fireplaces. Maple Hill is on built Jordan Hill into the retreat and the National Register of Historic Places • Maple Hill Manor Bed and Breakfast, Springfield event space it is today. Joyce can work and is a designated Kentucky Landmark – maplehillmanor.com (859) 336-3075 with corporate groups on retreat as is their other property, Bourbon Manor • Fairyhouse Hall, Lexington specifics, such as optional catering. in Bardstown (but that’s another story!). fairyhousehall.com (859) 552-7388 There’s free WiFi and groups can Recent kudos include Bourbon Review • Jordan Hill Farm, Richmond teambuild via badminton, volleyball, Magazine’s Top Places to Stay on the jordanhillfarm.com (859) 623-0807 croquet and water guns. Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and Most Another luscious, peace-filled spot with Romantic B&B in Kentucky, along with years of experience hosting families, many national accolades. wooly little tabletop critters and, in season, friends, honeymooners and corporate In this stately columned, 7,000-s.f. gem, pick apples, pears and plums from the retreats is the historic, award-winning a full “country gourmet” breakfast will be orchard. Maple Hill Manor Bed and Breakfast in served on fine china and is guaranteed A meeting room seats 30, and a Springfield, near Bardstown, the Bourbon filling and delicious, as Chef Tyler has won formal dining room accommodates 25, Capital of the World. Bedandbreakfast.com’s Best Breakfast which can be expanded to 50 dinner Considered one of the best preserved Recipe in the World Contest. In addition guests. Lunch and dinner meals can antebellum homes in the commonwealth, to its to-die-for breakfasts, Maple Hill also be served on the outdoor patio, the 1851 red-brick, Greek Revival Manor is a 15-acre working llama and flower garden or gazebo area, and event plantation house, owned by Todd Allen alpaca farm with a store where guests can barn. (No llamas allowed.) The property and Tyler Horton, has seven elegant guest purchase soft alpaca-wool products and has free WiFi and internet throughout, and teambuilding can be a hoot at a murder mystery dinner. Tours of area attractions, such as bourbon distillery visits and tastings in nearby Bardstown, can be easily arranged. Sip to your heart’s delight, then return to a sturdy Maple Hill porch rocker to watch the sun set over fuzzy alpacas and llamas grazing on luxuriant bluegrass. Only in Kentucky. ■

Katherine Tandy Brown is a correspondent for The Lane Report. She can be reached at [email protected].

During nice weather, the patio at Jordan Hill Farm is a lovely place to while away some time.

Get your message before the most significant audience of Kentucky’s decision makers available in the state. Get details by calling Curtiss Smith at (502) 548-0434.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 49 PASSING LANE Commentary on Kentucky

Make a Difference by Participating in Research working diligently to advance discovery, all available at discoveries that improve health, and we UKClinicalResearch.com: invite you to join us. You can make a • Explore Current Studies at UK: To difference by participating in research. explore opportunities to participate in Participating is a way to help others by groundbreaking research at UK, click “giving forward,” and it’s also an on “Current Studies.” Browse opportunity to learn more about your opportunities by topic, like Alzheimer’s, own health. diabetes, cancer, healthy volunteers, Whether you are healthy or have a women’s health, drug and alcohol use, medical condition, there are and many others. opportunities for you to participate. • Join UK’s Wellness, Health & You Health research is more than clinical (WHY) Program: WHY seeks to learn trials for rare diseases. Sometimes it’s as more about factors affecting simple as a questionnaire, a screening, Kentuckians’ health and connects you or testing a type of exercise. Many with research opportunities that may studies compensate participants. interest you. Health research also includes • Join the national ResearchMatch BY LINDA RICE extensive protection for participants. program: To join this national database The ethical and legal codes that govern of research opportunities, visit EALTH research changes lives. medical care also apply to research, ResearchMatch.org/uky. It’s how we learn more about which is further regulated with ResearchMatch is an easy, secure, Hhealth conditions and make safeguards for participants. UK, like registry that unites people who are discoveries to improve treatments, every research institution, also has a interested in research with active care and diagnostics. Every medicine or review board that evaluates all research studies. device we use – from aspirin to to ensure protection of participants’ To learn more about health research pacemakers – was developed through a rights and welfare. Every study follows a and opportunities, visit process of research. But research needs carefully controlled plan of what UKClinicalResearch.com. For questions people like you in order to move researchers will do and what is asked of about participating in research, contact forward. All too often, studies are participants, and this plan is explained [email protected] or (859) forced to end early or don’t enroll in detail before you decide to join. 257-7856. enough participants, causing many Participants are free to leave a study at any time. important questions go unanswered. Linda Rice is director of clinical operations At the University of Kentucky, There are many ways to learn more at the University of Kentucky Center for doctors, nurses and researchers are and get involved in the process of Clinical and Translational Science.

Feeding the Mind and the Body LUEGRASS Community and Technical College held a ribbon cutting in early November to celebrate the opening Bof The Heart of BCTC, a food pantry and career closet for students. The idea was born from the dream of a BCTC graduate and the work of staff and faculty who supported that dream by Helping Everyone Attain Resources Together (HEART). “When students are hungry or their family is in need, this creates a barrier to their academic success,” said Palisa Williams Rushin, BCTC vice president for Student Development and Enrollment Management. “With students at the heart of our mission at BCTC, we are working to alleviate these obstacles as they advance toward their better lives.” To meet the challenge, BCTC has joined with community partners and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) to establish a pantry that will provide food, toiletries and baby items at no cost to students. Pictured here at the unveiling of BCTC’s new food pantry and career closet for In addition, The Heart of BCTC will offer professional students are (left to right) Maintenance and Operations Facilities Management clothing, donated by community members, to students Specialist Grant Cox; Career Development Counselor Catherine Rogers; Director entering the workplace and preparing for job interviews. After of Student Development Dianna Golphin; Director of Counseling Services Anita meeting with a career counselor to discuss career goals, create Nelums; Student Activities Coordinator Regina Shank; Career Development a resume and prepare for an interview, students will be able to Counselor Bryan Hayden; Associate Vice President of Student Retention and shop for interview attire in the BCTC career closet. Not only Success Tania Gross; Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management Palisa Williams Rushin; and BCTC President Koffi Akakpo. will students go to an interview mentally prepared to shine, but their wardrobe will give them an extra boost of confidence. Community partners in the venture include the Community To make donations to the program, contact Regina.Shank@ Action Council, Newport Cleaners and New Vine Baptist Church. kctcs.edu.

50 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT Jefferson County Development a National Stelised, Alltech Finalist for ‘Best Community Award’ Honored with 2019 ORTON Commons, a walkable urbanist community in Prospect, Kentucky, Manufacturer Awards has been named a finalist in the 2019 “Best Mixed-Use, Single Family Community” category of the 2019 Best In American Living awards by the N TELISED Inc. and Alltech Inc. National Association of Home Builders. were presented with the Kentucky Norton Commons is a 600-acre traditional planned development focused on Association of Manufacturers walkability. It is built on the neighborhood model of a mixture of uses and housing S (KAM) 2019 Annual Manufacturer of types in a connected network of streets. The community is currently home to over the Year Award at the association’s 1,400 residences, 70-plus businesses, three schools, and dozens of parks, pools and annual Excellence in Manufacturing green spaces. Summit in October. Norton Commons broke ground on the South Village in 2003. North Village construction began in 2015, and it is already one of the largest residential geothermal communities in Stelised, the winner in the small the nation. Both are built business category, is a Simpsonville-based around traditional town company that specializes in mold making, centers focused on plastics injection molding and contract restaurants, services and manufacturing. Nicholasville-based retail. Perhaps most notable, Alltech, winner in the large business Norton Commons will category, focuses on animal nutrition and include a total of 160 acres also has brewing/distilling operations. of green and civic spaces, including miles of nature trails, a rose garden, three dog The winners were selected based on parks, a community vegetable garden and a wildflower meadow. the following criteria: innovative and This year has been one of recognition for the growing community. In May, Norton entrepreneurial leadership with regard to Commons won the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) Charter Award, the products, production method, or services; preeminent award for excellence in urban design that embodies and advances the leadership in making a key contribution to principles of the Charter of the New Urbanism. the quality of life in the commonwealth “Getting back to basics, and recreating the aesthetics of Louisville’s great older and their respective communities; and neighborhoods in a new development has been the secret sauce for us with Norton active involvement in organizations that Commons,” said developer David Tomes. advance industry and manufacturing. Dennis Dio Parker, a Toyota North American regional talent development EKU Unveils Permanent consultant in Georgetown, was selected as the 2019 Employee of the Year. The POW/MIA Honor Chair Employee of the Year nominees were ASTERN Kentucky University judged based on innovation, teamwork, has added a new seat at Roy community service and leadership EKidd Stadium, one that holds memories for thousands but will remain forever unfilled. Bourbon for All! A Prisoner of War/Missing in ENTUCKY’S signature bourbon Action (POW/MIA) Honor Chair and distilled spirits industry set two was unveiled on Nov. 14 as a modern era records last year by permanent reminder of soldiers who K filling more than 2.1 million barrels of never came home and who remain bourbon and aging 9.1 million total lost on the field of battle in overseas barrels of spirits, according to statistics wars. Fourteen Kentucky Vietnam released by the Kentucky Distillers’ veterans remain classified as missing in action. One was an EKU graduate. Association. That’s the highest inventory The chair represents months of work on the part of EKU Director of Military and in the 52 years that barrel inventory Veteran Affairs Barbara Kent and Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5. records have been kept at the nonprofit “For me, today, this chair has a very personal, important presence in my heart,” trade group. It’s also the first and only said Cathy Stringer Robinson, whose father, Capt. John Curtis Stringer II went time since 1967 that distillers filled more missing in Vietnam in 1970. Stringer is a graduate of EKU like her father was. “I don’t than 2 million barrels of America’s only think he missed many games while he was here at Eastern. He loved Eastern. He native spirit. Kentucky now counts two loved his ROTC program, and I feel that this is a very special chair.” barrels of bourbon and aging spirits for Cindy Stonebreaker is the daughter of Lt. Col. Kenneth Stonebreaker, who went every person living in the commonwealth, missing in Vietnam on Oct. 28, 1968, and now sits on the board of directors for the according to the latest U.S. Census National League of POW/MIA Families in Washington, D.C. “My focus is now on the projections that estimate the state’s 1,587 veterans who never returned from Vietnam.” population at 4.5 million residents.

THE LANE REPORT • LANEREPORT.COM DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 51 KENTUCKY PEOPLE

CRESTVIEW HILLS LOUISVILLE THOMAS MORE 2019 ALUMNI AWARDS RECOGNIZE DIANE PORTER RECEIVES FOUR FOR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2019 LOUISVILLIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Three alumni and one faculty member were recently presented with the Thomas More 2019 Alumni Awards for their accomplishments in and around the community. Pictured here (left to right) at the presentation are Thomas More President Joseph L. Chillo; Jeffrey Mando, ’80 (Professional Achievement Award); Thomas More English professor Sherry Cook Stanforth (Lasting Influence Award); Steven Lutkenhoff, ’71 (Citizenship Award); and Alumni Association Vice President Dave Macke, ’81. Not pictured is Jeanne-Marie Tapke, ’91, recipient of the Service Award.

The American Advertising Federation – Louisville WASHINGTON, D.C. recently honored Jefferson County Public Schools Board Chair Diane Porter with its 2019 DOUG FLYNN HONORED BY HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS Louisvillian of the Year Award in honor of her ORGANIZATION FOR SERVICE TO MILITARY FAMILIES work with both the public school system and the community as a whole. Pictured here with Porter (right) are 2018 honorees Mary Gwen Wheeler and David Jones Jr.

CARLISLE COUNTY KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU SELECTS STEVE KELLEY AS FARMER OF THE YEAR

Lexington native and former Cincinnati Reds baseball player Doug Flynn was recently honored by the Hope For The Steve Kelley has been selected as the 2019 Kentucky Warriors organization at their annual gala in Washington, D.C. Flynn and fellow Reds player Johnny Bench were Farm Bureau Farmer of the Year. Kelley has raised awarded the Gary Sinise Community Service Award, presented to individuals who serve military families and raise cattle and row crops on his Carlisle County farm awareness of the needs of the military community. Flynn occasionally fills in as a broadcaster for Reds games, since 1973 and also operates a solar farm, has appears on University of Kentucky baseball games carried on the SEC Network, and is the regular host of the timberland to produce saw logs and leases land for Kentucky Life program on KET. Pictured here at the presentation are (left to right) Gary Sinise, Doug Flynn, Johnny duck, deer and turkey hunting. Bench and Robin Kelleher, co-founder and CEO of Hope For The Warriors.

52 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 LANEREPORT.COM • THE LANE REPORT LIVE CHAMBER SESSIONS LEGISLATIVE UPDATE and COMMITTEE MEETINGS (during regular sessions) KET KY, the Kentucky Channel KET Mondays-Thursdays • 11/10 pm (statewide broadcast) KET Fridays • 8:30/7:30 pm Frankfort Cable System Capitol In-House TV System KENTUCKY TONIGHT Legislators and guests discuss policy LIVE AND ARCHIVED with host Renee Shaw KET Mondays • 8/7 pm KET.org/legislature KET Legislative Coverage App COMMENT ON KENTUCKY Host Bill Bryant and journalists explore the week’s top stories KET Fridays • 8/7 pm THIS DOCTOR IS FINDING A CURE FOR CANCER AND HE IS DOING IT IN KENTUCKY.

Dr. Ray Takigiku is creating a cure for cancer. He chose to locate his company, Bexion, in Kentucky. Our business environment, innovative solutions and phenomenal cost of living are some of the reasons why.

SEE HIS STORY KYINNOVATION.COM/STORIES