Teaming up on economic development

Louisville, KY (WDRB) -- Louisville and Lexington are working together to attract business and industry. The plan comes from the mayors of Kentucky's two largest cities.

The two cities have often been seen as rivals. There is UK Blue in Lexington and U of L Cardinal Red in Louisville. But while the sports rivalries are likely to continue, the mayor of Louisville and the mayor of Lexington are working to come up with a regional plan for economic development.

Before an audience of more than a thousand business and civic leaders, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray outlined their plans to develop what they call a Super Region.

It was a luncheon forum sponsored by Leadership Louisville.

The two mayors who come from business backgrounds believe now is the time to put aside differences and work together in a regional approach to economic growth.

"We think like businessmen, we are thinking about how we can leverage and market and sell our region, how do we create jobs," says Mayor Gray.

With support from the Brooking's Institute, the 18-month project will determine how Kentucky's two largest cities can build on their existing manufacturing base and work together to achieve job growth.

"We are partnering with the Brooking's Institute, which is a world class think tank to find out how we approach this region as one," says Mayor Fischer.

As the home of two Ford plants in Louisville, and a Toyota plant near Lexington, and all of the small manufacturers that supply parts to the major auto makers, the mayors hope to build on what they call advanced manufacturing. "Auto industries obliviously, appliances GE is here (in Louisville), it's about bringing back those middle income jobs," says Fischer.

The project's chairman will be Jim Host, who headed the successful effort to build Louisville's new arena during a time when the economy was suffering through a recession.

Host says the regional approach makes sense. "By drawing together the two largest cities in the state with a common purpose," says Host, "which is to improve the economy of not only Louisville and Lexington and the core between them, but also the economy and future of Kentucky."

The project will cost $250,000. It's to be funded with private money raised by the two cities chambers of commerce.