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This op-ed is written by Kentucky\u00a0Chamber\u00a0President and CEO Ashli Watts<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Kentucky finds itself at a time of incredible economic opportunity and challenge. On the one hand, business investments are pouring into the state like never before, leading to new jobs and community revitalization. On the other hand, population growth in the Commonwealth is stagnant, and the state\u2019s workforce participation rate remains one of the lowest in the nation. How can we make sense of these contrasts and contradictions? More importantly, what are the most effective\u00a0policies\u00a0to ensure Kentucky is favorably positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and overcome these challenges?<\/p>\n Providing answers to these key questions is at the core of the new Kentucky\u00a0Chamber\u00a0Center for\u00a0Policy\u00a0and Research. While the\u00a0Chamber\u00a0is well known for pro-business advocacy and, through the Kentucky\u00a0Chamber\u00a0Foundation, programmatic solutions to major challenges facing the Commonwealth, it also has a long history of ideation, raising important questions, and bringing forth business-led\u00a0policy\u00a0solutions. With the launch of the Center for\u00a0Policy\u00a0and Research, led by Executive Director Dr. Charles Aull, the\u00a0Chamber\u00a0is solidifying that history and paving the way to build on it.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kentucky\u2019s business community is optimally-situated to provide innovative solutions to major\u00a0policy\u00a0challenges. After all, innovation and creative thinking are the bread-and-butter of the private sector. The business community has continually contributed to transformative state\u00a0policy\u00a0solutions and ideas in many areas, including competitive tax reform; transforming Kentucky\u2019s unemployment insurance system to support rapid reemployment; implementing business-led child care\u00a0policy; addressing systematic issues surrounding racial inequality and combating the substance use disorder crisis through second-chance hiring initiatives and programs like the Kentucky Transformational Employment Program.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n The mission of the\u00a0Chamber\u2019s Center for\u00a0Policy\u00a0and Research is to build on this work and take it to new levels.<\/p>\n Through original research reports, the Center will seek to drive conversations around key challenges and inform\u00a0policy\u00a0conversations in Frankfort and Washington with data, reliable research and analysis, and solutions. Over the last year, the\u00a0Chamber\u00a0released two key reports:\u00a020 Years in the Making: Kentucky Workforce Crisis<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Why Tax Reform \u2013 Kentucky\u2019s Opportunity for Growth<\/em>. Looking ahead, the Center will produce more reports and analysis like these on issues such as tax and economic\u00a0policy, criminal justice and substance abuse, changes to Kentucky\u2019s workforce, and more.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Chamber\u00a0is well-known as a convener \u2013 bringing together different voices and perspectives to reach consensus. The Center will leverage that reputation by convening academics, researchers, think-tank analysts, policymakers, advocates, and business leaders to constructively debate and discuss key\u00a0policy\u00a0questions in Kentucky.<\/p>\n Finally, the Center will serve as a vital resource to lawmakers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in both Frankfort and Washington. Whether through data, original research, or\u00a0policy\u00a0analysis, decision-makers can depend on the Kentucky\u00a0Chamber\u00a0Center for\u00a0Policy\u00a0and Research for high-quality, honest information, and perspective.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n At the heart of this new initiative is Kentucky\u2019s business community and its commitment to making our state the best place in the nation to live and do business. A board of advisors, made up of key industry leaders from all corners of the Commonwealth, will serve to guide the Center\u2019s research agenda and embed the business community\u2019s perspective in the Center\u2019s work.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ensuring as many voices as possible are at the table is always a positive development. The\u00a0Chamber\u00a0is the authoritative voice of advocacy for Kentucky\u2019s business community and is a leader in business-led programmatic solutions. The Kentucky\u00a0Chamber\u00a0Center for\u00a0Policy\u00a0and Research will serve to drive the\u00a0Chamber\u2019s leadership in\u00a0policy\u00a0ideation and quality research.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n