Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts and Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer @KateShanksKY joined Congressman @JamesComer yesterday for a business roundtable hosted by @KyChamberFdn Chair @jenyuebarber at FBT Gibbons to discuss issues impacting Kentucky businesses and opportunities to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy.

The Kentucky Chamber welcomes Kim Halbauer, Regional President of @FifthThird, Kentucky, as its new Board Chair for 2026–2027! With more than 30 years of experience at Fifth Third Bank and a strong commitment to Kentucky's business community, Halbauer will help guide the Chamber's efforts to strengthen the Commonwealth's economy, support employers, and create new opportunities for growth. The Chamber appreciates outgoing Chair Condrad Daniels of HJI Supply Chain Solutions for his leadership and service to Kentucky's business community. Read more on The Bottom Line: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade was honored with the 2026 Kentucky Chamber MVP Award by Kentucky Chamber Public Affairs Director John Hughes and Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jenny Ralston-Maloney in October. “Speaker Pro Tempore Meade’s leadership has helped position Kentucky to pursue new opportunities in alternative aviation fuels, building on our strengths in agriculture and transportation,” said Kentucky Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer Kate Shanks. “His work to advance this legislation has opened the door for greater investment and economic growth for businesses and communities across the Commonwealth.” 🔗Read the full story: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

Senator @JRAforKY says expanding housing opportunities is essential to helping Kentucky communities thrive. From young adults looking to purchase their first home to older Kentuckians seeking housing that meets their changing needs, having more options matters at every stage of life. Hear Senator Julie Raque Adams discuss how increasing Kentucky's housing supply can strengthen neighborhoods and help more Kentuckians achieve the American Dream. Learn about the priorities to address housing needs at kychamber.com/housing.

The cost of building a home directly affects the price Kentucky families pay for housing. State Representative Susan Witten, who co-chaired Kentucky's Housing Task Force, explains how construction barriers affect housing affordability and why addressing these challenges is critical to increasing housing supply across the Commonwealth. Learn about the priorities to address housing needs at kychamber.com/housing.

Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne (@reposborne) has been named a recipient of the Kentucky Chamber’s 2026 MVP Award in recognition of his leadership during the 2026 legislative session. He is among a select group of legislators honored for their work to advance policies that strengthen Kentucky’s economy, support employers, and improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness. “Speaker Osborne continues to provide steady leadership in advancing policies that support economic growth and job creation,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts. “From child care to economic development, his leadership has been essential to delivering results for Kentucky employers and working families.” Read more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

Kentucky's economy grew faster than the national economy in 2025, and the state has gradually added jobs throughout 2026. However, elevated inflation, rising fuel prices, and declining consumer sentiment continue to impact the economic outlook. The Kentucky Chamber's October State of the Economy update examines the latest trends in economic growth, job creation, unemployment, inflation, and consumer confidence across Kentucky and the nation. Read the full update at kychamber.com/economy.

Senate Majority Caucus Chair @RobbyMillsforKY was honored with the 2026 Kentucky Chamber MVP Award by Kentucky Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer @KateShanksKY and Chamber Director of Public Affairs @jhughes_ky in October. “Kentucky’s ability to attract and retain workforce depends on access to housing,” said Kentucky Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer Kate Shanks. “Senator Mills has been a steady champion on this issue, and his leadership is helping move Kentucky toward real solutions for working families, employers, and communities.” Read more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

Senator Julie Raque Adams (@JRAforKY) was presented with the 2026 Kentucky Chamber MVP Award by Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts and Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer @KateShanksKY. Read more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

The Kentucky Chamber has announced the promotion of Kate Shanks to Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer, a newly created position focused on supporting the organization’s long-term growth and expanding its impact across Kentucky. “Kate has played a critical role in the Kentucky Chamber’s success over the past decade, helping us advance major legislative priorities and deliver meaningful results for the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts. “As we continue to grow, Kate will bring that same leadership and commitment to expanding our reach and advancing our mission of serving Kentucky businesses.” Read more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

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.

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: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

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. 🔗kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

.@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.

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: kychamber.com/entrepreneursh….

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: assets.humana.com/is/content…

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: kychamberbottomline.com/2026…

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: kychamberbottomline.com/2026….