Lexington-Fayette County named top mid-sized community for managed economic growth and investment
PITTSBURGH, PA (December 9, 2011) — A newly created “Fourth Economy Community (FEC) Index” was released listing Lexington-Fayette County among the nation’s top 10 mid-sized Fourth Economy Communities. These communities are those ideally positioned to attract modern investment and managed economic growth.
The “fourth economy” characterizes the nation’s current economic condition, reflecting a combination of the previous three to include agrarian, industrial, and technological. This new index is intended serve as a dashboard for community stakeholders to gauge their capacity to attract and retain modern investment.
“We have worked with numerous communities and economic development organizations across the country and are witnessing first hand the ways communities are responding to the new economic reality,” said Rich Overmoyer, Fourth Economy President and CEO. “We are using these experiences to launch the Fourth Economy Community Index.”
“It is not surprising to see the leading fourth economy counties blend both rural and urban character, offering their residents diverse living and working options,” said Stephen McKnight, Fourth Economy Consulting Vice President of Community and Market Assessments.
“Another common attribute is a geographic association with institutions of higher education, which are the modern engine in the fourth economy. As a result, these communities can provide the talent and place-based strategies that address housing, recreation and amenities for smaller, high-value businesses to thrive,” McKnight added.
#1: Fayette County (Lexington), Kentucky
- FEC Index Score: 4.5
- Innovation Capacity: A-
- Population: 295,000
Topping the inaugural list for mid-sized counties is Fayette County, Kentucky. Fayette is home to the City of Lexington and is the self proclaimed “Horse Capital of the World.” Recognized as a top bike-friendly location, Fayette offers both high quality place-based amenities along with critical resources to support innovation.
“Lexington-Fayette County’s economic success can be attributed to a vibrant, diversified economy, an entrepreneurial focus, a signature public research institution, and one of America’s most educated workforces,” said Robert L. Quick, President of Commerce Lexington. “Its blend of advanced manufacturing, high-tech transfer efforts, a quality P-16 educational system, innovative health care options, and a strong equine industry help the area to grow and prosper,” Quick added.
In recent years, Lexington has seen major downtown development driven by both the private sector and the University of Kentucky. New housing options and urban amenities are attracting young professionals to the urban core. This trend is bolstered by a “green perimeter” surrounding Lexington. “This is space set aside for horse pastures and agricultural development,” Quick added.
Adding to Fayette County’s attractiveness is a high level of efficiency in its economic development service delivery. “Within the last decade, Lexington’s economic development efforts have been streamlined, with a focus on the customer through a simplified process from start to finish,” Quick noted. “This decision to create a partnership between Commerce Lexington Inc., the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and the University of Kentucky has helped accelerate the process for relocating and expanding companies.”
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