Lexington's Live Music Scene Hits the High Note
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2020 GUIDE TO THE Blue rassKY Lexington’s Live Music Scene Hits the High Note www.CommerceLexington.com Lexington,Why Kentucky? Best#4 Cities for Safest#3 Cities in Top Potential#4 Tech First-Time America Growth Centers - SafeWise - Brookings Institute Homebuyers - WalletHub Best #5Run City in Cities#6 With Lowest Best#7 Large Real America Startup Costs Estate Market - WalletHub - SmartAsset - WalletHub Learn More About Lexington, KY: www.CommerceLexington.com www.LocateInLexington.com Call (859) 254-4447 Contents Commerce Lexington Inc. 4 330 East Main Street, Suite 100 Living in the Bluegrass Lexington, KY 40507 www.CommerceLexington.com 6 www.LocateinLexington.com Employment This edition of Guide to the Bluegrass is published by Com- merce Lexington Inc. All information was accurate at the 7 time of printing. Dates and times of any events listed can Education & Childcare change, so be sure to contact the specific organization to 13 verify an event or program. Higher Education 2020 Commerce Lexington Inc. Chair of the Board Ray Daniels, President 14 Getting Around Lexington Equity Solutions Group Commerce Lexington Inc. President & CEO 16 Robert L. Quick, CCE Shopping & Dining Design/Editing: Mark E. Turner, Commerce Lexington Inc. Printing: Post Printing, 1033 Trotwood Dr., Lexington, KY 17 Things to See 40511, (859) 254-7714, www.postprinting.com 18 Where to Stay Additional copies ofCopies: this publication are available to pick up at no charge at the Commerce Lexington Inc. offices 19 (330 East Main Street, Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40507). A Health Care shipping cost is assessed for any copies being mailed. To 20 order a copy, call (859) 254-4447. Senior Living This publication highlights active business members of Commerce Lexington Inc. – the Greater Lexington (Ky.) 21 Chamber of Commerce as of early 2020. New members Arts & Culture who joined after January 2020 may not be included in this piece. The most up-to-date list of members appears on-line 22 Recreation at http://web.commercelexington.com/search. 23 TheOn inaugural the Cover: Railbird Festival featured a great lineup of Business & Industry music over two days at historic Keeneland, including Kentucky native Tyler Childers. The 2020 Railbird Festival is 24 scheduled for August 22-23, at Keeneland. The festival will Newcomers’ Information include world-class artists over two days on three stages, bourbon tastings and events, the excitement of simulcast horseracing and wagering on off-track betting, VIP experiences, and a family-friendly area with activities for kids. (Photo by Ross Bustin | Courtesy of Railbird Festival) 2 2020 Guide to the Bluegrass Welcome to the Blue rass! What makes Lexington, Kentucky, unique is its variety – the variety of its landscape, educational opportunities, health care choices, family ac- tivities, arts and culture, businesses, and economy. Our region is among the smartest, most affordable, job friendly, entrepreneurial, most inspir- ing, and innovative places in America. A lot has been happening here over the last few years – from streetscape improvements to new and enhanced bike and walking trails to many hospital expansions to a rapidly-growing high-tech sector. There’s a perception among many residents here that Lexington is on the move, and the city you are experiencing today is far different than that of even a decade ago. Even the skyline has changed recently, with the opening of Lexington’s City Center complex, featuring two hotels, restaurants, retail, and luxury condominium residences. Whether you’re coming here to live, work, start a business, or play, you’ll find the Bluegrass full of charm and hospitality. It’s an experience like none other, and you’ll find yourself wanting to come back again and again or perhaps you’ll just decide to stay. Photo by Bill Straus Photography HistoryLexington is rich in tradition and history. Well-known explorer Daniel Boone established nearby Boonesboro, one of the first settlements in the state, in 1775. It helped pave the way for others to follow and settle an area known as McConnell Springs, Lexington’s birthplace. The settlers later named the area after the site of the opening battle of the Revolu- When the 1890’s rolled around, tobacco replaced hemp as tionary War at Lexington, Massachusetts. Fayette County was named in the major cash crop in the Bluegrass. By the early 1900’s, honor of Marquis de Lafayette, France’s largest supporter of the Ameri- Lexington became the world’s largest burley tobacco market. can Revolution in 1780. Historic Keeneland Race Course opened to huge crowds Once a part of Virginia, Lexington was granted 710 acres by the Vir- in 1936, while planes began taking off from nearby Blue ginia General Assembly in 1782. Ten years later, Virginia released Ken- Grass Airport in 1942. In 1974, the city of Lexington and tucky, and it assumed statehood, making Frankfort its state capital. Fayette County merged, creating Kentucky’s only urban In 1812, Henry Clay, who is known as “The Great Compromiser,” built county government until recently, when Louisville merged Ashland, a 400-acre estate. Lexington opened its first city school in 1834. its city and county governments. Each year, big crowds pack historic Keeneland Race Course for meets in April and October. (Photo Courtesy of Keeneland) 2020 Guide to the Bluegrass 3 Living in the Bluegrass Commerce Lexington Inc. Photo Commerce The housing choices for a resident of Fayette County are as diverse as the people and the economy. From newer suburban *ACCRA Cost of Living figures: neighborhoods like Andover or Masterson Sta- 2019 Annual Averages tion to older, historical areas such as Henry Clay and Chevy Chase, Lexington truly offers $302,594 4.34% something for everyone. Residents can choose HousingCost By-The-Numbers: for 2,400-square foot liv- Average mortgage rate with points. from downtown living, farms, apartments and ing area new home with three duplexes, million-dollar homes, and suburbia, bedrooms, two baths, and a as well as the small-town atmosphere of com- two-car garage on 60x120 lot. $77.04 munities like Midway, Paris, Versailles or Win- Average monthly electric bill. chester. According to the Lexington-Bluegrass As- $922 $77.84 sociation of Realtors (LBAR), the median Monthly rent for unfurnished Average monthly gas bill. home price in 2019 for single-family properties apartment with two bed- was $180,000, making the region an attractive rooms, two baths at approxi- and affordable place to live. With thousands mately 950-square feet $180.99 of college students descending on the area (excluding all utilities except Average monthly phone bill. each fall, a plethora of options are available to water and sewer). renters, such as apartment complexes, town- houses, duplexes, and even older homes near campus. Lexington’s Cost of Living Index (2019 Averages): CITY COMPOSITE GROCERY HOUSING UTILITIES TRANSPORT. HEALTH CARE MISC. GOODS Lexington, KY 92.4 89.7 82.8 95.7 96.5 78.9 100.6 Charleston, SC 96.9 99.4 92.1 120.5 86.5 97.4 95.8 Charlotte, NC 97.9 101.4 87.8 95.7 90.5 105.0 105.9 Atlanta, GA 102.4 103.1 102.4 85.2 103.4 107.0 105.9 Columbus, OH 92.2 98.4 80.3 89.2 95.3 88.4 99.6 Louisville, KY 93.8 91.5 79.0 94.7 97.9 105.2 103.6 Madison, WI 106.6 107.3 107.4 99.9 104.2 123.9 105.9 Nashville, TN 98.5 99.3 97.4 97.1 97.7 92.3 100.3 ABOUT THE INDEX: The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures price levels for consumer goods and services in participating areas. The average for all par- ticipating places, both metropolitan and non-metropolitan, equals 100 (i.e. the national average equals 100). Each participant’s index is read as a percentage of the average for all places. The index does NOT measure inflation. The index reflects cost differences for a mid-management standard of living, and actual cost of living differences can change based on your residential location. Because the number of items priced is limited, it is not valid to treat percentage dif- ferences between areas as exact measures. The index does NOT take taxes into consideration. 4 2020 Guide to the Bluegrass Central Kentucky | The Bluegrass Many of the national economic rankings recognizing Lexing- fastest-growing places. It is home to the R.J. Corman Railroad ton-Fayette County are based on statistical information from the Group, which was founded in 1973 and now operates in 22 states. entire region (Metropolitan Statistical Area or MSA). While Lex- Meanwhile, nearby Wilmore is home to Asbury College. For more ington grabs many of the headlines, the impact of people through- information, visit www.jessamineco.com, www.jessaminecham- out the Bluegrass Region is substantial due to the close proximity ber.org, www.nicholasville.org and www.wilmore.org. of Fayette County to the surrounding communities. Lexington’s closeness to cities like Winchester, Berea, Rich- Paris mond, and Versailles allows for easy trips to and from those com- About 17 miles northeast of Lexington, Paris is the county seat of munities to enjoy shopping, arts and crafts fairs, festivals, golfing, Bourbon County, which was one of the original nine counties that and much more. The following is a sampling of key cities that are comprised Kentucky when it became a state in 1792. Downtown just a hop, skip, and a jump from Lexington. Paris includes one of the most intact Victorian-era Main Streets in the state, and Bourbon County is one of the leading producers Berea of Thoroughbred horses in the world. For more information, visit Located 35 miles south of Lexington just off I-75 where the www.pariskytourism.com or www.parisbourbonchamber.com.