BUSINESS FOCUS \\\ OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF COMMERCE LEXINGTON INC. | JULY 2021 | VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE VII An Evening with Commerce Lexington Presented by Fifth Third Bank Thursday, August 5 Keeneland Paddock Photo courtesy of Keeneland INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Applications Available for the 2021 Salute to Small Business Awards KY Regional Tour Heads to Mt. Sterling, Morehead, Ashland/Huntington Lexington Marriott City Center Hosts Business Link on August 12th Winner’s Circle Gears Up for 2021 www.CommerceLexington.com BUSINESS FOCUS July 2021: Volume XXIX, Issue VII INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Business Focus is published once a month 4 KAED’s Recent Virtual Collaboration Conference for a total of 12 issues per year by Com- Bluegrass Alliance Continue Regional Conversations merce Lexington Inc., 330 East Main Street, 2021 Year-to-Date Locations & Expansions Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40507. Phone: KAED In-Person Strategic Planning Summit (859) 226-1600. 2021 Chair of the Board: EVENTS: Ray Daniels, President Equity Solutions Group 5-11 Emerging Leaders of the BG Continues Programming KY Regional Tour to Visit Morehead, Ashland Region Publisher: Fifth Third Bank Presents An Evening With Commerce Lex. Robert L. Quick, CCE, President & CEO 2021 Salute to Small Business Award Applications Commerce Lexington Inc. Lexington Marriott City Center Hosts Business Link Editor: Mark E. Turner Communications Specialist: Liz Bennett Printing: Post Printing Mail Service: SouthEast Printing & Mailing CONNECT: Service, LLC (2610 Palumbo Drive) 12-15 Leadership Central KY Concludes 2020-21 Program Subscriptions are available for $12 and are Leadership Lexington Equine Day Recap included as a direct benefit of Commerce Welcome New Commerce Lexington Inc. Members Lexington Inc. membership. Business Focus Member Personnel Announcements (USPS 012-337) periodical postage paid at Lexington, Kentucky. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to Business Focus, Commerce Lexington Inc., Nominations for 2022 Commerce Lex. Board P.O. Box 1968, Lexington, KY 40588-1968. of Directors Due by Tuesday, September 7th Display Rates Do you want to have some input on the For DISPLAY RATES in Business Focus, con- key issues that affect local business, our com- tact Kelly Bates at (859) 226-1612 or munity, and our future? Have you thought [email protected], and an about becoming a board member for one of account executive will contact you. the most effective business organizations in Kentucky? Commerce Lexington Inc., with over 5,000 Personnel Updates business professionals representing 1,800 Submit your company’s awards and mile- member businesses, will be accepting nomi- stones or personnel changes and additions nations from the membership for its 2022 to [email protected]. Per- Board of Directors until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, sonnel news might include promotions, ad- September 7, 2021. By becoming a board ditions, awards and milestones, member for Commerce Lexington Inc., you'll recognitions and certifications and/or ap- be able to weigh in on the issues that affect Main Street, Suite 100, Lexington, KY 40507. pointments. Information is published only the Bluegrass Region. A nominating committee will review the as space permits. A nomination form is available on-line at names submitted. Once the board slate is ap- www.commercelexington.com/board-of-di- proved by the Commerce Lexington Inc. Exec- rectors1.html. Forms can be submitted by e- utive Board, the names will be distributed to mail to cbenningfield@commerce the membership. For questions about the lexington.com or by mail to Commerce Lex- nomination process or the nomination form, ington Inc. President & CEO, Bob Quick, be- contact Cindy Benningfield at cbenning- fore the established deadline to 330 East [email protected]. 2 BUSINESS FOCUS JULY 2021 Challenge Yourself to Bigger Possibilites \RXFDQHDUQD8.GHJUHHRUFHUWLƓFDWHIURPDQ\ZKHUH The world is changing, moving faster, and demanding more than ever. At the University of Kentucky, we’re inspiring your path forward. Now, V From Professional and Technical Writing, to Engineering, Kinesiology and Health Promotion, Population Health, Social Work, Educational Leader hip and Communication – there is something for everyone. With more than available , you’ll discover that everything is60 achievable degrees and nothing100% is out online of reach. This is what we make possible. Anuky.edu/ukonline Equal Opportunity University 12:23 PM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT /// SUBMITTED BY CLX ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION: GINA GREATHOUSE, CHERYL KLEVER & KATIE VANDEGRIFT KAED’s In-Person Strategic Planning Summit On May 18, Commerce Lexington attended Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s Strategic Planning Summit to learn about the process of strategic planning, strategic planning for our organization, presenting our strategic plan, how to evaluate a strategic plan using pro tips and more. The second half of the day focused on Economic Development Organization Management. During this session, our team learned about foundational Human Resources Practices from Beverly Clemons at CMI Consulting and professional EDO perspectives from Jodi Lassiter at Develop KAED Recent Virtual Danville and Kim Huston at Nelson County Economic Development Authority. Collaboration Conference Bluegrass Alliance On May 19-21, Commerce Lexington attended BY THE NUMBERS: Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s On May 25, the Bluegrass Alliance Partners For 2021 year-to-date, Commerce Lexing- Collaboration Conference presented by Murray State met at Mustard Seed Hill in Millersburg to ton’s Economic Development Division University. The Collaboration Conference is continue conversations surrounding has responded to calls from: Kentucky's signature spring economic development economic development from a regional New Business: 26 new prospects inter- event, at which we joined the Commonwealth's perspective. Commerce Lexington shared ested in finding a new location or expand- economic developers, business leaders, and policy details about our upcoming Regional Summit ing in the Lexington area. makers to discuss Kentucky's economic strategies, and invited feedback from our partners. The Client Visits to the Lexington Area: 1 opportunities, and advantages. Commerce Lexington Bluegrass Alliance is dedicated to Existing Business Visits: 37 is a proud member of KAED and looks forward to collaborating ideas and endeavors that Existing Business Attempts: 144 future opportunities to network and learn best impact the quality of life in Central Kentucky. Active Projects: 30 practices specific to economic development in the One of our main goals is to create jobs for all Bluegrass Region and Kentucky. Kentuckians specific to the region we serve. Lexington Locations & Expansions: 2021 Year-to-Date Reported Direct Max. Date Firm Type Product Investment Planned Jobs Jan. 2021 Georgia-Pacific Expansion Dixie Cup manufacturing. Not reported 50 Pathology & cytopathology services, including all aspects of specimen transport, preparation, Jan. 2021 Pathology & Cytology Labs Expansion $500,000 40 immunohistochemistry testing & final patient reporting. Jan. 2021 Blue Frame Technology LLC Expansion Digital video software company. $5,172 1 Mar. 2021 Carina Medical LLC Expansion A.I. technology for cancer treatment. $7,336 2 April 2021 Blue Frame Technology LLC Expansion Digital video software company. $10,949 3 April 2021 Wise Bird Cider Co. LLC Expansion Manufacturer of cider craft beverages. $11,229 3 4 BUSINESS FOCUS JULY 2021 \\\ EVENTS: EMERGING LEADERS Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass Continues Effective Programming At last year’s EMERGE Conference, Commerce PRESENTED BY Lexington Inc. launched the Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass (ELBG) program presented by Keeneland. ELBG is designed for professionals striving to improve themselves and become more involved in our community. As its mission states, ELBG aims to expand the capacity of emerging leaders to perform in leadership roles within Cen- tral Kentucky. Events are monthly and focused around community education or professional de- velopment. PLATINUM SPONSOR: Emerging Leaders of the Bluegrass kicked off a new program year on April 27 with an exclusive Photo of Karen Hill at Emerging Leaders of the event for Annual Passholders at Keeneland. In Bluegrass by Mark Mahan, Mahan Multimedia. June, the recently retired Dr. Karen Hill from Bap- tist Health Lexington gave a presentation entitled “Take Charge of Your Career,” during which she FOR MORE INFORMATION: An annual pass gives you access to all Emerging discussed common career topics, such as tips for GOLD SPONSORS: Leaders of the Bluegrass events. For more infor- Central Bank & Trust Co. networking as well as leadership lessons learned mation about the program or purchasing annual from her own successful career. passes, as well as a full list of upcoming events, Commonwealth Credit Union visit www.emergingleadersbg.com. MEDIA SPONSOR: Mahan Multimedia SILVER SPONSORS: Blue & Co., LLC | LG&E & KU PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPONSOR: ExecuTrain Let Us HelpLLetHel Us YouYYo HeLet By Plane EEducateEducate TThThiThis AAAAfAfflflAfflffl uentu MarketMMaMarMarkMarke About AboutYoYourYou YAAbout By Car BBusinessBusiness • EEatEat They turn to the #1 • SShopShop Tourism and Relocation • PPlayPlay By Bus Magazine in the Bluegrass! • AAndAnd Have Have FunFun! Fu Did You Know? 500,000 people live in the Bluegrass and over 3,000,000 visit every year! (8859859) 335351-6728 351-1-61-671-6721-6728