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New era in horse racing?
If a weeklong conference that opened in Dubai on January 21 is any indication, we could be witnessing the beginning of an era in which stables from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East start dominating Breeders' Cup events as well as other rich international contests.
Under a theme of "Racing Without Borders," the largest Asian Racing Conference (ARC) ever held hosted delegates from Australia, Japan (which has the highest purse structure in the world), Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Subjects for discussion included racecourse design, international movement of horses, global customer issues (i.e., wagering across international borders) and co-mingling initiatives — perhaps making state politically-appointed racing commissions in the U.S. seem quaint, provincial, and dated. The opening session was titled "Can Racing Learn From Other Sports?"
Software glitch leaves LFUCG in dark on finances
The administration of incoming Mayor Jim Newberry received some unpleasant news while preparing to take the reins at the LFUCG's downtown Government Center. It was discovered only weeks prior to assuming office that a serious software malfunction dating back to early in the summer of 2006 had been left unresolved. As a result of the failure of the PeopleSoft program, the new administration has no way of producing financial reports and, therefore, has no means of tracking what has been spent by various departments since July 1.
Mayor Newberry said a team of computer experts is working to solve the problem. In the meantime, the previous administration of former Mayor Teresa Isaac evidently failed to back up data before switching to the new software.
Officials of the Newberry administration said it is not possible at this time to predict when the computer problem will be repaired or how much data may be lost.
BCTC's Kerley testing waters in Kansas
Bluegrass Community and Technical College president Jim Kerley was in Kansas City earlier in January for an interview with Johnson County Community College, according to a report in the Kansas City Star. JCCC is said to be seeking a replacement for Charles Carlsen, who retired unexpectedly in April after the school newspaper published allegations that he had sexually harassed a female employee in 2003. Carlsen denied the allegations.
In the Star report, Florence Huffman, a Bluegrass Community and Technical College board member, described Kerley as a healer during the consolidation of Lexington Community College and Central Kentucky Technical College.
"He approached that merger with logic, passion, compassion and enthusiasm," she said. "His approach was flawless and his leadership was profound."
Mike Binzer, chairman of the Bluegrass faculty, said that the merger was difficult, but that Kerley stayed focused on core issues and common values.
Dam work offers temporary relief
A new $14.7 million Dam No. 9 at Valley View is expected to be completed by the end of next year according to Kentucky River Authority executive director Stephen Reeder.
The 100-year-old structure contains Lexington's water supply. The replacement dam is designed to accommodate gates that can be raised to hold more water during potentially crippling droughts.
Experts caution that the new Dam No. 9 secures only the existing water supply and does not address rising demand from the growing Bluegrass region. The replacement of Dam No. 10 at Ft. Boonesborough is under discussion and the river authority is expected soon to award a contract for early stage work to replacement Dam No. 3 in Owen County.
Kentucky American Water Company will soon present plans to the Kentucky Public Service Commission for a new water treatment plant near Dam No. 3 to supplement the supply at No. 9.
BizLex columnist Swanberg wins OK for UK center
The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees gave official approval to establishment of the Institute for Workplace Innovation (iWin), headed by nationally prominent teacher and researcher Jennifer Swanberg. Dr. Swanberg, whose Work/Life column is a regular feature in Business Lexington, arrived at UK in 2000 from Columbia University, the Families and Work Institute in New York City, and McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass.
IWin is the first center in the nation concentrated on state and regional work-life issues with particular emphasis on those affecting low-wage earners.
Fuqua named interim economic development chief
The Kentucky Economic Development Partnership Board, meeting in Frankfort, appointed Gene Fuqua to serve as interim Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary. Fuqua, a 14-year cabinet veteran who is currently serving as Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff, will assume the new role on February 1, immediately following the departure of retiring Secretary Gene Strong.
The board released an RFP for a search firm to screen for Strong's successor. Officials said they hope to complete the replacement process by no later than July 1. Fuqua said he did not anticipate filling the post permanently as it requires an individual with international experience.
In a related development, the board heard a report on the state's economic development incentives. The report was prepared and presented by Dr. Kenneth Troske, Director of the University of Kentucky's Center for Business and Economics Research and is available for viewing online at gatton.uky.edu/cber/researchreports.html.
KySat launches into cyberspace
KySat Online, a daily web-based source for news and commentary surrounding space and related science, technology and engineering information, launched on January 10 at www.kysat.com. The interactive site, curated by Wayne Hall, allows readers to comment or pose questions on news and postings as well as engage in conversations.
Created in early 2006, KySat Online is a virtual enterprise comprised of universities, public organizations and private companies in a student led initiative involving the design, production (including payloads), launch and on-orbit operation of small satellites to promote science, engineering, innovation and education in Kentucky.
The first satellite (KySat1) is now being designed and built with a projected launch date of late 2007 or early 2008. KySat will involve an ongoing series of missions each with varying degrees of scope and complexity. Once in orbit "data" off the satellites will be available at no-cost to any Kentucky teacher, student, parent, etc. for research and education purposes.
Best Western brand dropped from local hotel
Thoroughbred Hospitality will no longer operate its property on South Broadway under the Best Western name brand. The property, currently known as Best Western Downtown Hotel and Suites was renamed the Inn on Broadway and is no longer affiliated with the Best Western chain of hotels.
Thoroughbred Hospitality president Joe Montgomery said in a press release that the move "will save considerable costs for franchise fees and enable the hotel to enjoy the advantages of running an independent operation."
Startups recognized at Venture Club event
An organization that serves as a catalyst to bring together entrepreneurs, service providers, and investors held a ceremony on January 25 to recognize entrepreneurial companies in the Greater Lexington Area that are contributing to the long-term growth and prosperity of our community.
The Lexington Venture Club celebrated 54 early-stage companies that had received funding and created jobs in 2006. Highlights of their performance include:
Received over $35 million in funding, a 50% increase over 2005
Employed 355 people 252 full-time and 103 part-time
Hired 107 people in 2006 67 full-time and 40 part-time
Paid an average salary of $61,700 to the full-time employees
Booked revenues of nearly $15 million even though over 50% of the companies were still at the pre-revenue development stage
Featured speakers at this year's celebration on the Coldstream Research Campus included Ed Cohen, founder and Chairman of Intranasal Therapeutics and former founder and Chairman of Barr Laboratories; Mayor Jim Newberry, whose vision for a dynamic economy focuses on horses, health care, and high tech and University of Kentucky president Lee Todd, a public advocate for research, technology and an entrepreneurial economy in the Commonwealth.
Equus Run rescues Shakespeare
Filling a void left in the community's summer theater options when the curtains fell on the Lexington Shakespeare Festival in November, the Actors Guild of Lexington and Equus Run Vineyards in Midway, Ky., have announced an artistic endeavor that showcases the region's strong performing talent alongside the area's picturesque landscapes.
Shakespeare at Equus Run will feature one production, Love's Labour's Lost, in June, with the following seasons having as many as three installments throughout the summer. The winery and vineyard already has an amphitheater with pavilion and covered stage that it uses during its popular summer concert series, "Concert at the Vineyard," which will be modified to accommodate theatrical performances.