Kentucky Chamber

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts stresses that housing and child care are the basics that allow Kentucky families to build stable lives and allow employers to plan for the future. As the 2026 legislative session is underway, add your name to support solutions at Opportunitystartshere.com.

At Spy Coast Farm, fair chance employment has helped bring new talent to its operation while giving individuals the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Nicole McEntee, human resources and office manager for Spy Coast, shares how opening the door to individuals seeking a fair chance has strengthened the organization’s workforce while creating meaningful opportunities through work. As employers highlight the impact of fair chance hiring, lawmakers are also considering Senate Bill 290, which would establish an automatic expungement process for certain eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions. #SecondChanceMonth

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts released the following statement after the General Assembly passed House Bill 6 and House Joint Resolution 50—landmark legislation to strengthen Kentucky’s child care system. The legislation marks a major step forward for working families and employers and reflects years of collaboration to advance meaningful, lasting solutions. Learn more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026/04/01/gen…. #kyga26

Child care reform legislation to strengthen Kentucky’s workforce and support working families has passed the General Assembly. House Bill 6 and House Joint Resolution 50, sponsored by Rep. Samara Heavrin, are the result of more than 18 months of work to expand access to care, improve quality, and make child care more affordable and sustainable for families, providers, and employers across the Commonwealth. The package passed with bipartisan support and now heads to the governor’s desk. Read more about this comprehensive package to strengthen Kentucky’s child care system: kychamberbottomline.com/2026/04/01/gen…. #kyga26

Legislation expanding education and workforce training for incarcerated individuals has passed the General Assembly and heads to the governor’s desk. Sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Decker, House Bill 5 establishes a new training facility for in-demand careers through @KCTCS. Learn more: kychamberbottomline.com/2026/04/01/kct…

Lawmakers have given final passage to legislation establishing clearer civil liability standards for public road and bridge projects. Senate Bill 195, sponsored by Craig Richardson, now heads to the governor. Learn more here: kychamberbottomline.com/2026/03/31/leg…. #kyga26 @KYCraigR

Kentucky employers often struggle to find workers with the skills needed to fill open jobs. As House Bill 5 moves through the 2026 legislative session, Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts points to the bill as a key way to expand workforce training through the @KCTCS and help close that gap. The Prison Education Program prepares individuals who are currently incarcerated for in-demand careers before they reenter the workforce—expanding the talent pool for employers while creating a pathway to employment. #SecondChanceMonth

Hear from Jeffery Johns on his experience as a fair chance employer: youtu.be/R6CQSLN8TXw

At Big Trucks & Toys in Mount Sterling, owner Jeffery Johns believes opening the door to individuals seeking a second chance can strengthen both a workplace and the people within it. He shares why fair chance hiring has brought deeper purpose to his business while helping individuals rebuild their lives through meaningful work. That conversation is also taking place during the legislative session, where lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 290, which would establish an automatic expungement process for certain eligible misdemeanor and felony convictions.

Global Laser Enrichment announced a $1.76 billion investment in Paducah, marking a major advancement for Kentucky’s economy and reinforcing the Commonwealth’s leadership in the nation’s nuclear energy sector. The project will create 240 new jobs and expand opportunities for families and communities across Kentucky. The Kentucky Chamber congratulates our member Global Laser Enrichment on this milestone and appreciates their continued investment in strengthening the state’s economic future!

Economic conditions in early 2026 reflect a slower pace of growth, with hiring slowing across both the U.S. and Kentucky, alongside persistent inflation and rising energy costs. Conflict in the Middle East has led to increases in oil, diesel, and gasoline prices, raising costs for businesses and consumers, with broader economic impacts expected in the coming months. Even with these challenges, businesses are largely holding steady. Employers are taking a cautious approach—slowing hiring while maintaining their workforce—as the economy continues to grow at a moderate pace. Get a detailed breakdown of how Kentucky’s economy is doing in the Kentucky Chamber’s State of the Economy Report at kychamber.com/economy.

Senate Bill 195, legislation to clarify civil liability for infrastructure projects, passed the House Judiciary Committee and now heads to the House floor. Learn more about the legislation sponsored by @KYCraigR on The Bottom Line: kychamberbottomline.com/2026/03/25/leg….

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts spoke with Legislative Research Commission interns from the University of Louisville, sharing insights on the Chamber’s legislative priorities, advocacy efforts, and her career path as a @uofl alumna.

Kentucky Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Kate Shanks joined @KyTonightKET to discuss the state budget and key issues impacting Kentucky businesses and the workforce. Shanks highlighted child care and housing as critical barriers for working families and workforce participation and emphasized the importance of aligning education and training programs with the needs of Kentucky employers to drive long-term economic growth. Watch here: pbs.org/video/state-bu….

Kentucky Chamber President and CEO @AshliWatts and Chair Condrad Daniels joined leaders from across the state for @Toyota's 40-year anniversary in Kentucky. During the event, Toyota announced an $800 million investment in its Georgetown facility, including preparing the plant for its second battery electric vehicle and expanding production of the Camry and RAV4. The company also announced $4.4 million to support workforce development efforts across Kentucky. The Kentucky Chamber is proud to celebrate this milestone with Toyota and President Kerry Creech and thanks them for their continued leadership and commitment to the Commonwealth.

Full details here: kychamberbottomline.com/2026/03/23/sum…

AI, innovation, and collaboration are reshaping health care in Kentucky. At the Kentucky Chamber’s 2nd Annual Healthcare Innovation Summit last week, presented by @Consoliplex, leaders discussed how new technologies are improving care and addressing workforce challenges. Read more below.

Partnerships and prevention are driving new approaches to care across Kentucky, with a focus on improving outcomes for patients, communities, and employers. Danielle Harmon of @ARHHealthcare, Donald Lloyd of UK St. Claire HealthCare, Trudi Matthews of @UK_HealthCare, David Melanson of the @universityofky, Larry Rector of River Valley Health, and Erin Shea of UK Innovate highlighted real-world models—from community health workers to regional collaborations—that are improving access, lowering costs, and connecting patients to care earlier. Speakers pointed to prevention, workforce development, and meeting patients where they are as key strategies to build healthier communities and a more sustainable healthcare system.