'Regionalism in a real way' — New organization takes a different approach to economic development

 Marty Finley
Reporter- Louisville Business First

The first major development has emerged from Greater Louisville Inc.'s new multi-year Advantage Louisville growth plan.

James Reddish, vice president of economic and workforce development for GLI, the metro chamber of commerce, outlined plans this week for Advance Greater Louisville, a 15-county regional economic development organization that will leverage all of the Louisville area's assets to attract more businesses and jobs to the region.

The counties that are partnering with the initiative are Bullitt, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties in Indiana.

Reddish said the organization is raising money from the private business communities in the counties to fund a collective marketing presence that would allow the organization to package the entire region's benefits for prospective businesses. The organization then would direct businesses to the counties that best meet their needs, he said. More here.