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Alltech at global economic forum
A representative of Nicholasville-based Alltech was among a group of 300 corporate executives in Dalian, China, for The World Economic Forum's Inaugural Annual Meeting of the "New Champions." The Forum, billed by organizers as the "summer Davos," is said to provide opportunities for the next generation of business leaders to meet, cooperate and exchange ideas on industry issues, innovative technology, markets and regulatory systems, as well as new business models.
Concerns addressed at the Forum related to Alltech included the global urgency to develop sustainable and alternative energy resources. The biofuels market, one of the fastest growing in the world, was high on the agenda. Already well publicized, however, is how large-scale production could further strain declining water resources. Also of concern is how the diversion of grain supplies to ethanol production is affecting global food and feed prices.
Alltech plans to break ground for a biorefinery complex in Springfield, Ky., capable of processing locally produced grains and cellulose into various biofuels. Alltech, founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, is the presenting sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2010.
Eight from business "Try Teaching" at EKU
Eastern Kentucky University's innovative "Try Teaching" program resumed this fall. Eight individuals from varying vocational backgrounds spent Sept. 10-21 in schools throughout the area, gauging their comfort levels as classroom teachers before making life-changing career moves.
The program, funded by a grant from Ashland Inc., is for those who have doubts about leaving their current job behind to return to college to pursue a second degree. This year's participants included a production and plant manager, a flight attendant and two business owners, as well as a retired sales manager and quality control manager from General Motors.
Newberry to attend urban design conference
Leading a city undergoing rapid and significant change calls for the best available expertise. The search for such input has Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry traveling to Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 26 to attend the Mayor's Institute (MICD.) A partnership program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Architectural Foundation, and the United States Conference of Mayors, the MICD helps transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities.
During MICD sessions, leading design experts work with mayors to help them find solutions to the most critical urban design challenges facing their cities. The sessions are organized around case-study problems, with each mayor presenting a problem for the other mayors and designers to discuss.
Mayor Newberry plans to present a town/gown plan expanded to include not only downtown and U.K. but Transylvania as well.
Annual tour offers look at new downtown
An opportunity to experience the many developments in and around downtown Lexington comes on Sunday, Sept. 23, with the 4th annual Urban Life and Style tour.
Sponsored by National City Bank, WUKY, the Downtown Development Authority and LFUCG, the self-guided tour features 35 units at 25 different sites, including residences and businesses. The sites, just completed or now under construction, have a combined value of over $500 million.
Food for thought: low interest art acquisition loans
Instead of a chicken in every pot, an official in Toledo, Ohio, envisions local art on every wall. And to make it happen, he is advocating a new program that provides super-low interest, short-term loans for purchases from local galleries.
The nationally unique initiative recently unveiled by Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop is in partnership with Toledo's Key Bank and the Lucas County Treasurer. "Art Assist" makes it possible for any Lucas County resident to acquire art from a local gallery with a one-year, one-percent interest loan from $500 to $2,500 dollars.
"This program is not just a handout to the art community. I think the biggest beneficiary of the program is the art consumer," noted Konop in an article in the Toledo City Paper. "It makes art more affordable for the average citizen of Lucas County. Instead of having to put art on a credit card, or plopping down $2,000, you can get a low-interest loan and pay it back monthly and actually be able to purchase art that you otherwise wouldn't be able to purchase."
Limestone businesses to see some parking relief
Businesses lining Limestone Street near UK have long complained about inadequate parking for patrons and employees. Now at least some relief appears to be on the way. At a recent meeting, the board of directors of the city's new Lexington Fayette County Parking Authority approved an allocation of $20,000 for the purchase of more than 50 parking meters to create spaces along adjacent streets. Longer-term parking for employees remains a problem, but the board is in discussions with UK concerning potential parking capacity acquired with the purchase of Good Samaritan Hospital.
Lexmark poll: at-home pros long for wireless printers
Work-at-home professionals responding to an online survey commissioned by Lexmark said they need a wireless printer to complete a truly wireless work environment in their homes.
When asked about wireless technology in their homes, 40 percent of respondents strongly agreed with the statement, "I have a complete wireless setup at home." Only 18 percent, however, said they had wireless printers, and 63 percent subsequently agreed that they need a wireless printer to complete their home setup.
The printers' wireless capabilities enable users to work anywhere in the home that is accessible on their wireless networks, enabling complete mobility. In addition, all of the wireless-enabled computers in the house can print wirelessly to the same printer, eliminating the need for multiple printers and potentially different supplies items.
Florida Tile opens consolidated plant in Lawrenceburg
A grand opening was held recently to celebrate Florida Tile's new porcelain plant in Lawrenceburg, Ky. Panariagroup of Italy purchased Florida Tile in 2006 and consolidated its two U.S. manufacturing facilities, located in Lawrenceburg and Shannon, Ga. Production of the company's new porcelain line was shifted to Lawrenceburg. Company officials said they wanted to improve the company's response to the evolving needs of its customer base.
The $15 million investment revitalizes production at the facility, securing 121 existing jobs. Officials said anticipated growth in production over the next few years could result in the addition of another 67 new jobs.
Lexington apartment complex sold for $4.1 million
Scottish Links Apartments, a 124-unit apartment community on the fringe of Tates Creek Golf Course and Aquatic Center at 3640 Bold Bidder Dr. was sold to JTB Real Estate LLC from Clearwater, FL for $4,125,000.
Todd Harrett of Sperry Van Ness in Louisville, Ky., represented the seller, Bold Bidder LLC, who is based out of Versailles, Ky.
Illegal sign crackdown continues
The Lexington-Fayette County Division of Code Enforcement is increasing enforcement of local ordinances against placing signs of any kind in the public right-of-way. This includes signs from real estate agents, yard sale signs, political and business advertisements — even signs advertising open houses, Jarvis said. The signs are confiscated by code enforcement officers, who then dispose of them.
"The law is that no signs are to be placed between the sidewalk and the curb or the corners of intersections," said David Jarvis, director of code enforcement, in a statement released by LFUCG. "Our guys have probably been getting 400 to 500 signs a day. We spend a lot of time on these violations; probably 15 man-hours a week just picking up signs. We also use most of our overtime budget on weekends for sign removal."
The only signs for yard sales or home sales permitted are those placed on the property where the sale is taking place.
Habitual offenders could be fined as much as $500. Code enforcement officers file criminal complaints and turn them over to the Fayette County Attorney's office for further action, Jarvis said.
He said the city plans to use the prosecution phase of the enhanced enforcement this fall.
Should citizens help by pulling some of the signs themselves? "I wouldn't recommend that, because of the traffic and the confrontation," Jarvis said. "In code enforcement, we are all sworn officers, so we are upholding the law."