WASHINGTON (August 24, 2010)—Today at an event at Congleton-Hacker Company in Lexington, Congressman Ben Chandler joined representatives from the Central Kentucky Regional Public Policy Group and other local and regional leaders to announce a new small business assistance program, aiding Central Kentucky’s small businesses and creating local jobs.
“Creating good-paying local jobs has to be our top priority,” Chandler said, “nothing is more important. Our small businesses are the engines of job creation, and they are the ones who will bring us out of these tough economic times. After so much time and hard work, it is wonderful to see this funding finally come through, especially for our veterans.”
Commerce Lexington Inc. president and CEO, Bob Quick, said, "This funding is yet another example of the regional success that can occur through our private and public sector leaders working together. By continuing to focus on a unified agenda and speaking with one voice to our Congressional delegation, we can maximize our outcomes and advance our regional priorities."
The Small Business Administration (SBA) grant announced today will assist small businesses, create jobs in Central Kentucky, and boost the local economy. Congressman Chandler’s office, Commerce Lexington Inc., the Central Kentucky Regional Public Policy Group—consisting of elected officials, community and business leaders from Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott and Woodford Counties—and other officials have been working together for an extended period of time to receive this funding.
The first initiative that will receive assistance is the Bluegrass Veteran and Minority Owned Contractor Incubation Program. This new program will create a “one-stop” incubator to build veteran, minority, women, disabled/disadvantaged-owned business capacity in the construction sector across Kentucky. In addition to providing office space and equipment, the project will provide participant contractors on-going needs assessments, no-cost financial management expertise, legal services, sales and public relations services, green building services/LEED training, human resource management, jobsite safety and access to discounted insurance and workers’ compensation. The grant is also expected to help address economic inclusion, furthering the development of the bio-tech cluster, and workforce development. All initiatives resulting from this SBA grant must be thoroughly reviewed, approved, and reported on to show results.
The program is to be administered by the Associated General Contractors of Kentucky (AGC of Kentucky), a non-profit trade association representing 700 prime contractors, subcontractors, and industry associates statewide. Initially, three individual firms will be selected by the advisory committee to participate in the program. The program will run in two year cycles.
Chandler continued: “Today Central Kentucky came together to build a stronger, more prosperous Bluegrass Region, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together.”
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