How does a region truly grow its workforce, economy, and sense of community? For Bob Quick, President and CEO of Commerce Lexington, it comes down to two things: connection and trust. In this episode of The Midwest Flourish, host Rick Farrant explores how Lexington, Kentucky, a region known for its horses, bourbon, and bluegrass pride, is also a model for collaboration, talent attraction, and entrepreneurship. Quick explains how a nine-county competitiveness plan brought together public and private leaders, why telling your story matters as much as workforce strategy, and how Lexington’s partnerships are tackling housing, education, and innovation head-on.

Highlighted Topics:

- Building trust across a nine-county region

-Talent attraction and retention strategies

- Entrepreneurship and workforce readiness

- Housing affordability and collaborative solutions

- The role of storytelling in regional development