Bluegrass Area Development District outlines workforce, aging and regional services; Fayette County figures clarified

Representatives from the Bluegrass Area Development District (Bluegrass ADD) presented to the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee on Aug. 19, detailing the agency's planning, workforce, aging and community programs that serve the 17-county central Kentucky region anchored by Lexington.

Michael Bushman, chief financial officer, and Executive Director David Dutlinger described the ADD's role as the Economic Development Administration's designated Economic Development District for central Kentucky and summarized their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), regional coordination activities and project work. Bushman said the ADD administers workforce programs (adult, dislocated worker and youth funding streams), work-based learning, individual training accounts (ITA), supportive services and intensive career services. He said work-based learning and credential training are core elements to connect jobseekers with employers and that the ADD conducts employer master agreements for direct hiring needs.

In response to council questions, Bushman said the slide listing "112 total clients served" for Fayette County represented formally enrolled participants eligible for Individual Training Accounts (which carry dollar caps and multi-year enrollments), not the full number of people served through walk-in services, workshops or one-time supports. He said the number of people who simply used career-center resources or attended events is higher; workforce enrollment figures can carry forward across years when participants remain active in training. Council member Lynch asked for comparative year-over-year enrollment data; Bushman said staff would provide historical figures on request.

The ADD said its Fayette County aging services in FY25 served 196 seniors, caregivers and grandparents, and its Participant Directed Services (PDS) Medicaid waiver program served 184 Fayette County participants; Bluegrass staff said PDS paid nearly $11,000,000 to individuals who provide care to those participants. Bluegrass also said the Lexington Career Center location received comprehensive certification in November 2024 and that the ADD expanded outreach with events including virtual-reality career demonstrations.

Bushman highlighted regional coordination with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for transportation and six-year highway plan priorities. He said the ADD administered more than $191,000,000 in grant and loan funding across the 17-county region in FY25 and that grant-writing and administration services are available regionwide, including to LFUCG.

Council members offered examples of local programs and asked for follow-up materials. Council member Savigny invited ADD staff to coordinate with a community-led "villages" study for supporting seniors in place and invited participation in a veterans center ribbon-cutting. Council member Morton asked for metrics tying Fayette County investment to return on investment; ADD staff said workforce participant data is the best proximate ROI measure and offered to provide a more detailed breakdown of projects and Fayette County-specific amounts on request.

Bushman and Dutlinger closed by describing partnerships with the Child Care Council of Kentucky, VisitLex and local businesses, and by noting Bluegrass ADS's monthly Bluegrass Aging Consortium and other collaborative tables. Committee members thanked the presenters and requested follow-up data on enrollment trends, program demographics and FY25 grant allocations to Fayette County.