Kentucky Chamber

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is the only business association in the state advocating for companies of all sizes and industries across the Commonwealth.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

The Kentucky Chamber Board of Directors held their quarterly meeting and a reception this week, welcoming new members and recognizing outgoing members for their leadership and service to Kentucky's business community.

The meeting featured a national political update from Ashlee Rich Stephenson of the @USChamber on the 2026 midterm elections. Frankfort Mayor Layne Wilkerson also welcomed board members to the state capital and provided an update on the city.

The Chamber Board welcomed new Chair Kim Halbauer of @FifthThird and Chair-elect Les Fugate of @BrownForman, while thanking outgoing Chair Condrad Daniels of HJI Supply Chain Solutions for his leadership and service over the past year.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Senator Steve West was honored with the 2026 Kentucky Chamber MVP Award by Kentucky Chamber Public Affairs Manager Annie Santos in October in Frankfort. As chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senator West sponsored Senate Bill 4, which establishes a professional development program for school principals that incorporates an intensive leadership program developed in partnership with the @KYChamberFDN.

Read more on The Bottom Line: https://t.co/JfsU2eyHnD

[Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives (KCCE) @KyExecs]

Chamber leaders gathered in Hopkinsville for the 2026 KCCE Annual Conference and Excellence Awards last month, celebrating the leadership, innovative programs, and community impact of Kentucky's local chambers of commerce. See the full list: https://t.co/SwgQLKvoV4

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

House Majority Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles was presented the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award by Kentucky Chamber Director of Public Affairs John Hughes and Greater Owensboro Chamber President and CEO Dave Kirk during the @GOchamber's Rooster Booster breakfast in October.

🔗https://t.co/hp1jkDzfIt

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

.@KyChamberFdn Senior Vice President Beth Davisson moderated a panel on bourbon’s global reach and economic impact during the closing keynote of the 2026 State International Development Organizations (SIDO) Best Practices & Training Conference in Lexington. The discussion featured Eric Gregory of the @KyDistillers, Dave Bob Gaspar of @LexBrewingCo, Mike Mangeot of the @KentuckyTourism, and Matt Yarger of Grissan Renewable Energy, highlighting how one of Kentucky’s signature industries supports international trade, investment, and economic growth.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

The Kentucky Chamber kicked off its statewide entrepreneurship listening sessions yesterday in Northern Kentucky at Blue North as part of the Center for Policy and Research’s Start Here, Grow Here initiative.

In partnership with JPMorganChase, these community listening sessions bring together entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities of starting and growing a business in Kentucky.

Learn more about the initiative: https://t.co/pDXABr9EOy.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

The impact employers have on Kentucky communities goes well beyond the jobs they directly provide.

A new @UofL analysis found that Chamber member @Humana generated nearly $20 billion in economic activity across Kentucky in 2025, supporting more than 51,000 jobs. For every job at Humana, nearly four additional jobs are supported across the Commonwealth.

Learn more about Humana’s investment in Kentucky in the full report: https://t.co/NIqsAzkseX

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

House Appropriations and Revenue Committee Chair Jason Petrie was presented the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award in September by Kentucky Chamber Vice President of Policy Dr. Charles Aull, Public Affairs Manager Annie Santos, @hccchamber President and CEO Taylor Hayes, Christian County Chamber Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam, and @ChamberLogan President and CEO Polly Steenbergen.

Read more: https://t.co/YcbcKLDmHw

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

A data center project planned for eastern Kentucky is moving forward under an expanded agreement.

The agreement could provide $100 million in winter bill credits for Kentucky Power residential customers over 10 years. The Muskie Data Campus in Grayson is expected to begin coming online in 2028 and create hundreds of construction jobs as it is built, along with permanent jobs once the campus is operating.

Read more: https://t.co/ft0PaGVI1a.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts joined business leaders from nine other states in a new op-ed urging Congress to move forward on bipartisan permitting reform.

“As leaders representing employers, job creators, and millions of workers across 10 of our nation’s most dynamic energy states, we strongly endorse this deal and believe it could be a generational step forward for our economy, business community, and families in need of relief from high costs across every aspect of their daily lives.”

The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act would create clearer timelines for federal reviews, streamline agency processes, and reduce delays that can hold projects up for years.

Read the full op-ed: https://t.co/451dZXL0DN @dcexaminer

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers has been recognized with the Kentucky Chamber’s 2026 MVP Award for his leadership during the 2026 General Assembly.

“President Stivers has long understood the connection between sound public policy and Kentucky’s ability to compete, attract investment, and create opportunity,” said Kentucky Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Kate Shanks. “His leadership in the Senate has helped advance important priorities for employers while keeping a strong focus on Kentucky’s long-term economic growth. We appreciate his continued partnership and commitment to moving the Commonwealth forward.”

@Kysenatepres was recognized for helping advance pro-business legislation, supporting alternative aviation fuel, and championing investment in Kentucky’s Endowed Research Fund.

Read more: https://t.co/Y1qYWKb5bD

[Free Enterprise @FreeEnterprise]

What does free enterprise look like in Louisville, KY?

Business and community leaders joined the #FreeEnterpriseExpress, @One_Louisville & @KyChamber to share how entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation are creating opportunities across Kentucky.

Learn more: https://t.co/AC0NuKWchw

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

The role businesses play in expanding economic opportunity was the focus of conversations across Kentucky this week as the @USChamber Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour made stops at local businesses, the @nkychamber, @CommerceLex, and @One_Louisville.

In Louisville, Kentucky Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs @KateShanksKY and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President of Policy Jonathan Burks joined local business leaders to discuss what businesses need to compete, invest, and grow — and the connection between strong businesses, economic growth, and opportunity in communities across Kentucky.

The tour is part of the U.S. Chamber’s broader effort to hear directly from businesses across the country and bring those perspectives back to Washington.

Read more: https://t.co/eMrtLRQA3A.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Projects can spend years navigating the federal permitting process — adding costs, delaying investment, and holding back opportunities across the country.

Now, bipartisan Senate leaders have introduced the American Affordability and Jobs Act, a permitting reform package aimed at creating clearer timelines, making the process more efficient, and helping projects move forward while keeping important protections in place.

The Kentucky Chamber joins chambers from across the country in urging Congress to pass bipartisan permitting reform.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Following the Chamber's Young Professionals Summit last week, the Next Generation Leadership Council met in Louisville to explore one of the biggest workforce challenges facing Kentucky: child care.

Members heard more about the business case for child care, the work of the Kentucky Collaborative on Child Care, and efforts to engage employers. The Council also shared perspectives on what their workforce and communities are experiencing across the Commonwealth.

Learn more: https://t.co/nI4xFf7bWo

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Members of the Kentucky Chamber Board of Directors recently traveled to Greece, experiencing the country’s rich history and culture while learning more about its industries and economy.

The trip also included a meeting with Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of @AmChamGr and Vice Chair of AmCham in Europe, for a conversation about the strengths and opportunities for businesses in Greece.

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Kentucky’s voter registration deadline is October 5.

Register to vote or check your registration status now, and find important dates and information to help you prepare for Kentucky’s 2026 General Election.

Learn more on the Kentucky Chamber’s Get Out the Vote resource center:
https://t.co/E8r7kGRgLK

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Kentucky’s work to address child care challenges for working families was highlighted this week at the South Carolina Child Care Policy Convening, sponsored by the @USCCFoundation's Early Childhood Business Advisory Council.

Kentucky Chamber Vice President of Policy Dr. Charles Aull joined experts from South Carolina, Tennessee, South Dakota, North Carolina, and national organizations to discuss policy solutions and lessons from across the country.

Charles shared Kentucky’s progress, including the work of the Kentucky Collaborative on Child Care and the passage of House Bill 6 during the 2026 legislative session, offering lessons from Kentucky’s experience for other states exploring similar solutions.

Learn more about Kentucky’s work to strengthen child care and the workforce: https://t.co/1qW4caK535

[Kentucky Chamber @KyChamber]

Young professionals from across the Commonwealth explored what leadership looks like in a changing workplace at the Kentucky Chamber’s 3rd Annual Young Professionals Summit, presented by Deloitte.

Business and community leaders shared perspectives on adapting to change, building strong relationships, and creating opportunities for others.

The Summit also celebrated Kelsey Hargis of @1776Bank as the 2026 Kentucky Chamber Young Professional of the Year and recognized the inaugural members of the Kentucky Chamber Next Generation Leadership Council.

Thank you to @Deloitte and all of this year’s sponsors for supporting the Summit and Kentucky’s young professionals.

📷Read about the Summit: https://t.co/pwSQdk4Ac2