The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Frankfort event as a virtual Forum on February 11 sponsored by Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc./Marcum Engineering, LLC. Due to travel and group restrictions with COVID-19, the one-day virtual event will be based in Paducah and feature speakers from Frankfort from the cabinets and elected officials. 

“Holding a virtual event, rather than taking a contingent to Frankfort, is the responsible thing to do. We know, after the success of our virtual DC Fly Back, that the mission is no less important even though our meetings are virtual,” said Sandra Wilson, Chamber President. “It is very important for us to maintain our presence even though we can’t be there in person. The relationships that we build, and our advocacy efforts on behalf of our members and community, are critical.” 

The format for the virtual Frankfort event will be similar to the Chamber’s DC Fly Back, which was held in October. Speakers from Frankfort will join the Chamber via Zoom to provide updates on key legislation impacting the business community. Participants may register to view the Frankfort Forum by going to paducahchamber.org. 

The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2021 State Legislative Priorities during a virtual Public Policy Series Forum in December. These are available for review at paducahchamber.org.   

The top four legislative priorities for 2021 identified by the Chamber include:

Infrastructure Investment:  The Paducah Chamber supports new and sustainable funding for transportation infrastructure; creation of a multi-modal transportation fund to address the infrastructure needs of the railroad, aviation, riverport and public transit industries; additional funding for the Barkley Regional Airport construction of a new terminal; and efforts to expand widespread wireless and broadband investments. Six local transportation projects are identified as priorities. 

Tax Reform:  The Paducah Chamber supports modernizing the municipal funding options and giving all cities the same abilities; allowing citizens to vote on the local option sales tax; and identifying long-term sustainable solutions to the state’s unfunded pension liabilities.    

COVID-19 Legal Liability Protections: The Paducah Chamber supports legislation to protect all Kentucky businesses, including health care providers, schools and local governments, from unnecessary and frivolous lawsuits related to the pandemic. The threat of litigation will harm Kentucky’s economic recovery. This legislation should create a presumption that a business has met the standard of care with respect to protection of its employees, visitors and patrons if it has complied with appropriate standards and guidelines.      

Unemployment Insurance Modernization: The Paducah Chamber supports reforms to Kentucky’s unemployment insurance benefit structure to keep costs and benefits competitive with other states and increase workforce participation. The General Assembly must protect Kentucky employers from an increase in unemployment insurance taxes. 

For more information, contact the Chamber at info@paducahchamber.org