The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Chamber Day at the Capitol in Frankfort on Thursday, February 15, sponsored by Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Inc./Marcum Engineering, LLC. The Chamber delegation included more than 70 individuals representing business and industry, local government, education, health care and community leaders. Members of Leadership Paducah Class #37 also participated.

The day began with a Legislative Luncheon at The Foundry on Broadway with Attorney General Russell Coleman as the keynote speaker.  Joining the Paducah Chamber for the luncheon were neighboring Chambers from Greater Owensboro, Hopkinsville-Christian County, Mayfield-Graves County, Murray-Calloway County, and WAVE (four river counties).

Attorney General Coleman described trips to the Capitol and meetings with elected officials as “essential” and praised the turnout from Western Kentucky. He stated, “You’re leading now. You’re here now – leaders from Western Kentucky. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Later that afternoon, the Paducah Chamber group traveled to the Capitol Annex for meetings featuring Cabinet leaders and other officials.  Speakers included Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to the Governor; Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet; Monique Quarterman, Executive Director, KY Innovation, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development; Kenya Stump, Executive Director, Office of Energy Policy, Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet; and Lori Meadows, Board Chair, Kentuckians for the Arts.

Senior Advisor Adkins said, “I am impressed with the work you all have done to take advantage of this economy in Kentucky… Paducah has positioned (itself) well to work as team, not worrying about who gets the credit but at true team effort. You want to build a bright future for generations to come.”

The Chamber also participated in a meeting about Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones), as part of an ongoing advocacy effort to help businesses who have lost or will lose HUBZone status following new maps drawn by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Chamber member businesses who have been impacted were invited to speak and share their experiences during the meeting. Monique Quarterman, Executive Director of KY Innovation, encouraged the group and shared next steps in order to have the best shot at a positive resolution.

“Infrastructure, workforce, economic development and tourism, as well as funding for the BUILD grant and support for Advanced Nuclear Initiatives, were all a part of our 2024 Legislative Agenda,” said Sandra Wilson, Paducah Chamber President/CEO. “We feel honored that these top cabinet executives would speak with us about our needs and the opportunities for the future of our region, and Kentucky as a whole.

“We also appreciate the support and participation of our local legislators, Senator Danny Carroll, Representative Randy Bridges, Representative Chris Freeland, Representative Richard Heath, and Representative and Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy,” Wilson added.

The day ended with the 15^th West Kentucky Thank You Night reception. The event was hosted by the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance and C-LINK representing 25 Chambers in Western Kentucky and is only held in even-numbered years. The featured speaker was Governor Andy Beshear and guest speakers were West KY Caucus Chairs, Senator Robby Mills and Representative Freeland.