Business, government and community leaders are gearing up for the Paducah Chamber’s Annual FLY IN to Washington, DC presented by Swift & Staley on September 6 and 7. The two-day trip offers attendees the opportunity to meet with members of Kentucky’s Congressional Delegation, agency officials, Congressional staff, and legislative experts to discuss important federal policy issues impacting the region, state and nation.  “This year’s trip has the largest attendance since the Chamber began coordinating the trip 15 years ago with 47 participants,” said Sandra Wilson, President of the Paducah Chamber.   Each year the Paducah Chamber coordinates a small group trip in the spring and a large group trip in the fall. 

Attendees represent a diverse group from various sectors of the local economy including government, banking, health care, non-profit, education, contractors at the DOE site, highway contractor, railroad, riverport, river industries and professional services. Local elected officials attending include State Senator Danny Carroll, Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless and Commissioners Sarah Stewart Holland and Sandra Wilson; McCracken County Commissioners Bill Bartleman and Scott Wathen; and Ballard County Judge Executive Todd Cooper.     

“This year we are fortunate to have meetings scheduled with two Cabinet level officials that both have a significant impact on our community,” said Wilson.  Meetings are scheduled with Rick Perry, Secretary of Energy; and Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation.  Other meetings are with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; Senator Rand Paul; Congressmen James Comer, Andy Barr, Brett Guthrie, Tom Massie and John Yarmuth; and representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; National Endowment for the Arts; Americans for the Arts; Federal Aviation Administration; Energy Communities Alliance; National Association of Manufacturers; and Maritime Administration. 

Other featured speakers include Tom Allegretti, President/CEO of the American Waterways Operators and Paul Mungai, Director, US National Commission for UNESCO.  

This year, the federal legislative priorities will focus on the continued cleanup work at the Paducah DOE site; continued funding for the Kentucky Lock project; the Essential Air Service funding at Barkley Regional Airport as well as funding for the Contract Control Towers and Air Improvement Grants; and a request for a Center of Excellence designation from the Department of Transportation at West Kentucky Community and Technical College which currently offers maritime workforce training and degrees in Maritime technology through its Inland Logistics and Marine Institute.