Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG)

?? Applications open for Bluegrass AgTech’s 2nd?round of grants! The Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp (BADC) grant program will take another big step forward Friday, inviting agtech businesses to apply for a second round of Challenge Grants. The grants are designed to encourage agtech and food-based businesses to locate in Kentucky. “We’re on our way to becoming the international address of agtech business,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “These businesses will bring good-paying jobs, while strengthening our agricultural and technology sectors.” The grant competition is open to registered startups with the potential to grow and expand food and agricultural economic opportunities in the state. Four partners make up Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp: Lexington-Fayette County, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and its Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and Alltech. “As a proud Kentucky company, we see a bright future for the state’s thriving agtech ecosystem, which is already a center of innovation and growth,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, a global animal health and nutrition company headquartered in Lexington. “The Challenge Grant program further strengthens this landscape, creating valuable opportunities to drive the creation of technologies that will shape the future of agriculture.” Each applicant may apply for up to $100,000 of grant funding. Those selected to receive a grant will also be offered resource support, such as mentorship, referrals to professional services, connections to local growers and research teams, and other business development assistance. “This is an exciting time for Kentucky’s AgTech community,” said Bob Helton, executive director of the Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp. “The recipients of our Challenge Grants have the potential to make a significant impact across the state. We’re already seeing impressive progress from the 2023-2024 Challenge Grant awardees, and we eagerly anticipate reviewing the upcoming applications for the next round.” Last August, Bluegrass AgTech awarded its first round of Challenge Grants to seven businesses, including five from Lexington. The seven grant recipients were awarded a combined total of $625,000. The winning companies were: Hempwood, Iristrac, Sunflower Fuels, Parasight Systems Inc., RedLead Biologics, Lepidext Inc. and Spirited Biomaterials. Applicants must be able to provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis for their proposed project. Beginning today, Nov. 22, applications will be available?here. Deadline for completion is March 1, 2025. For more information about the 2024-2025 BADC Challenge Grant Application process, visit?bluegrassagtech.org.??????????????????????????????????????

While having it declared "Walker Buehler Day" here in Lexington – Walker Buehler, native Lexingtonian, Henry Clay grad, LA Dodger, and World Series champion, was kind enough to make a generous donation through his Buehler Family Foundation to the Lexington Fire Department. Each station will receive one set of Normatec compression pants and a Hypervolt 2 therapy gun. These devices will help alleviate fatigue and muscle soreness, reduce inflammation, and promote muscle recovery. Thank you so much, and good luck next season - we'll be cheering you on!

Lexington’s Minority Business Enterprise Program (MBEP), in partnership with the KY APEX Accelerator, held the Disparity Study Contractor Community Engagement & Opportunities event on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Phoenix Building Conference Center. The City conducted a Disparity Study to assess whether disparities exist between the availability and utilization of minority and women business enterprises for government contracts. The event was designed to inform contractors and firms about the changes to the Minority Business Enterprise Program as a result from the study, and changes to the procurement processes to create more opportunities for small, diverse businesses and contractors to compete for city’s contracts. “Not only did the companies in attendance learn about the changes from the recommendations implemented from the disparity study but they had an opportunity to network and get advanced notice of upcoming projects as the procurement solicitation documents now include the new MWBE goal language and participation forms,” said Sherita Miller. “I received positive feedback from companies who attended and appreciate the support from other organizations and entities such as Fayette County Public Schools, Bluegrass Airport and even Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD).” Ed Holmes, owner, Principal of EHI Consultants was a part of the consultant project team for the disparity study. Holmes discussed the importance of contractor engagement and networking as a business owner. “It's imperative that MWBEs become involved in working with LFUCG department heads and others to ensure they become successful by developing professional relationships to learn about opportunities," Holmes said. "Their level of government effort and involvement as a MWBE, will have a direct correlation to their success in winning LFUCG contracts. "Don't hesitate to reach out and ask for a debrief meeting with the city if you are not successful in winning a bid or proposal. Become engaged and involved!” Networking creates partnerships amongst the companies to help meet the participation goals to diversify the city’s contract spend.?

?? Cody Wood, Engineering Tech Principle, won the fall 2024 SPOKE Award.?The award is given to an individual or a group of employees to acknowledge their outstanding performance and contribution to the job. It is a way to recognize employees who exhibit a high level of commitment, initiative and dedication to their profession.? "I would like to thank all of the council and Mayor Gorton for the award," Cody said. "Working with a group like Director Horton-Holt’s staff over at the Family Care Center makes you realize that not everything you are doing is just about coming in to work. There are a lot of wonderful organizations in the city that do amazing work for the community, and the Family Care Center is at the top of the list. They are a joy to work with and really help all of the kids, families and parents they work with. They bring the best out of people and make it easy to want to give everything you have to a project. I want to thank Director Horton-Holt, Quicia Carter and all the staff over there for being so welcoming and nice during the time we have been working together. I would also like to thank from my General Services department, deputy director Mark Arnold and facilities manager Mike Wiley for helping me grow as a project manager and for supporting me in all of the projects that I take on." Mayor Linda Gorton presented the award to Cody on Tuesday at the Council Work Session. "This year's recipient is an individual who is a very important part of our government," Mayor Gorton said. "He's someone who truly knows what it means to be a public servant. It's my honor to present this year's SPOKE Award to Cody Wood. Cody was nominated for the Spoke Award by staff at the Family Care Center, where he oversaw renovations and building improvements. Shelia Horton-Holt, director of the Family Care Center, was one of the people who nominated Cody for the award. The Family Care Center received $440,000 to replace old flooring and to paint the center. "I had only been in my position as Director for a year and we had just hired a new Public Service Supervisor when we received the money," Horton-Holt said. "I was still a novice to purchasing and bidding requirements. Cody walked me through the bidding process and made sure that all the paperwork was in order. When it was time to start the renovations, I asked Mark Arnold if Cody could be our Project Manager. As the Project Manager, Cody has gone above and beyond the scope of his duties. "...Because of Cody, the flooring and painting projects ran incredibly smoothly and so much of the success can be attributed to Cody's dedication to his position. He is an outstanding project manager and deserves to be recognized as an invaluable member of the LFUCG team of employees. Cody was a dream to work with and because he really became an extension of the Family Care Center team, he will be greatly missed when the projects wrap up."

Lexington’s Minority Business Enterprise Program (MBEP), in partnership with the Kentucky APEX Accelerator, held its first-ever “Building Stronger Connections: Resources for Contractors” event on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Picadome Golf Course Outing Room. The event was designed to inform contractors of the programs that are offered through the Department of Housing Advocacy & Community Development. The goal was to make contractors aware of programs that existed and the requirements that it takes to participate in federally funded programs, and funding sources available to small businesses such as?Commerce Lexington’s Access Loan Program through their Economic Development, Community & Minority Development office. “It was great to collaborate with both divisions on this event and to share procurement and contract opportunities that LFUCG has through various programs," said Sherita Miller,?"The event was successful and the Division of Grants and Special Programs and Code Enforcement are pleased with the contractor attendance. The goal is to host the event annually through the city’s MBEP outreach and event series." Terry Graves of Bluegrass Climate Solutions attended the event. He said the program has been beneficial to his company and recommended that other companies join as well. “The main thing is we’ve been actively involved in it and it’s been a blessing for us. It’s community oriented, so if anybody is thinking about it or on the fence, come join. It’s an experience and it’s something that benefits us more than it does the people that we work for. It’s a great experience,” Graves said.

?? ?? Congrats to our Public Information Office (PIO) for being recognized with multiple awards from the Kentucky Association of Government Communicators (KAGC) during their annual Awards of Excellence Competition in Frankfort last week! They were awarded for their photography, graphic design, social media and internal communication efforts. The awards were in recognition of work completed in 2023. “I’m proud to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people,” PIO supervisor Stacey Dimon said. “Though we're an office of five, they go above and beyond in all they do. These awards are well-deserved and are a recognition of the great work produced by members of the Public Information Office.” The office was presented with an Award of Excellence for its Communications Newsletter in the internal digital communications category. The monthly newsletter focuses on communication best practices, knowledge items, platform updates and policy reminders for staff involved in content creation. Individual staff members were also awarded.? Amy Wallot?? ??Award of Excellence?– Photographer’s Portfolio? ??Award of Excellence –?Photo Series – Halloween? ??Award of Excellence –?Lemonade Out of Lemons photo category – Hug? ??Award of Merit –?Social Media Presence for the?City’s Facebook page? ??Award of Merit –?Single Photograph – Senior Firefighter? ??Honorable mention?–?Beautiful Kentucky photo category – Bee and cosmos? Brandon Dunstan? ??Award of Merit –?Graphic Arts – Swiftie Sing-along poster The Kentucky Association of Government Communicators was founded in 1985 as a professional development organization for communications professionals within state government. It has since grown to welcome city, county, school systems and other public affairs personnel from across the Commonwealth.? #PublicInformation #LexingtonKY #GovernmentCommunications

Interested in a career with city government? Stop by our career fair Tuesday, NOv. 12 and learn about the various types of jobs we have available! Learn about opportunities for CDL drivers, apprentice positions at water treatment plants and public works, and jobs as public service workers. Meet with representatives from: ??Community Corrections ??E-911? ??Facilities Management ??Family Services ??Fire Department ??Fleet Services ??Housing Advocacy & Community Development ??Division of Planning ??Streets & Roads ??Waste Management ??Water Quality ??Youth Services ? Spanish translators will be available. #NowHiring #KentuckyJobs #LexingtonKy

?? Lexington Parks & Recreation was a finalist for the prestigious National Gold Medal Award governed and managed by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Lexington was a finalist in the Class II category, which includes cities with a population of 150,001 – 400,000. “I could not be prouder of our city and division for being chosen as a finalist for this award,” said Monica Conrad, Director of Lexington Parks & Recreation. “This doesn’t happen without our amazing staff, wonderful community partners, and dedicated volunteers. While there is always work to do to meet the goals and needs identified in our Master Plan, our team and city leadership are dedicated to reaching those goals and ensuring our parks are welcoming and beautiful for all to enjoy. Thank you to AAPRA and NRPA for their recognition and continued guidance and resources they provide.” Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities throughout the country that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition. Applications are separated into seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation, and one class for state park systems. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff, and elected officials. Four finalists in each class are chosen to compete for grand honors each year with the winner announced at the annual NRPA conference in October. Mayor Linda Gorton said, “It is no secret that we love our parks here in Lexington. With over 100 parks, as well as numerous community, arts, aquatics, and golf facilities throughout the city, there are so many amazing spaces for people to gather and enjoy activities. Congratulations to Director Conrad and the entire Parks team for their efforts in managing our wonderful park system and constantly working toward ways to expand and make it even better.” The finalist recognition only further demonstrates Lexington Parks & Recreation’s commitment to its vision, which is to?inspire imagination and exploration?and mission to?build community and enrich life through parks, programs, and play. This was the first time in over 15 years that Lexington Parks & Recreation had applied for the award, and its first time as a finalist. Other finalists included Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation (Arlington, VA), Roseville Parks, Recreation & Libraries Department (Roseville, CA), and this year’s winner, South Suburban Park and Recreation District (Littleton, CO).

Kathryn Barber took over as a Social Services Coordinator earlier this year. In her day-to-day, Kathryn is responsible for approving requests for rental assistance. She has two employees who work under her, so she approves their cases and also meets with clients. In addition, she answers questions from landlords and tenants throughout the day. "Housing is kind of my thing," Kathryn said. "It’s how I know I have a soul at the end of the day. I know I’ve helped people. I was at GreenHouse 17 for over 13 years in the housing stabilization, and I’ve always been involved with housing in some way since I was in college.” Kathryn, whose degree is from the University of Kentucky, did numerous internships in college. Those internships helped her learn that she loves working in housing assistance.?Kathryn started off in a housing stabilization program, but the grant was absorbed by the Community Action Council so she went there. Once it ended, she began looking for jobs with the City. She immediately applied once she learned a housing stabilization program was beginning.? “I love the team," Kathryn said. "I love the approach to helping people and I also love the fact that the clients we have, they’re given autonomy to make their own decisions about if they’re applying and how they’re applying. We’re meeting them where they are.” The biggest thing she wants to do through her work is help the community. "I feel like if people have a foundation for any kind of success in life it’s to have a stable home," Kathryn said. "The best way to escape violence is to have a stable, steady home. If children can grow up in a home that is secure, they are more likely to succeed in whatever their endeavors are as they grow and to have a violent free as well. In the long run, it makes for a safer community for all of us.” Kathryn is married and has a son who will be 15 soon. She also has two fox red Labradors and spends a lot of her free time reading. Her favorite authors, among others, are Sarah Lyons Fleming, Colleen Hoover and Kate Chopin. Congrats on your position with the City, Kathryn!?

THANK YOU to our Streets & Roads crews, who have been busy clearing streets since Friday's storm. We appreciate all of the work from our teams in Water Quality, Parks & Recreation, Waste Management, Police, Fire and others for their work responding to the storm and its cleanup.