Issues

Investing in south Dixie Highway, enabling Jefferson County to compete in the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closing) realignment at Fort Knox. We need new homes, entertainment, retail outlets, and restaurants to attract personnel being relocated to Fort Knox.

Utilizing and expanding Riverport. Due to Louisville’s ideal geographical location, we need to attract logistics and distribution companies to our facilities in River Port.  Chris has worked with Verus Partners to build a 378,000 square foot cross-loading distribution facility in River Port. Strong economic incentives and serious recruitment, partnered with the expansion possibilities will attract companies to our growing River Port.

Create an Arena District Downtown. This district will include the 8 blocks between Louisville Slugger Field and the new Downtown Arena. Aggressive development and revitalization efforts will provide the people of Louisville an attractive area to live, shop, and enjoy Downtown.

Pass a Metro Ordinance to provide tax incentives for developers and companies who build or remodel downtown buildings using sun-light harvesting designs, recycled materials, gray-water technologies, and roof top green spaces. Each of these technologies and applications enable a building to be up to 45% more energy efficient and makes downtown Louisville more environmentally friendly.

Working with the Metro Council, local investors, community leaders, and local businesses and corporations to secure and invest $5 Million in home and community revitalization efforts in Western Louisville. Public funding and private donations will lead the charge to revitalize the West-End.

Use the Atlantic Station District in Atlanta, Georgia, as a model of community revitalization. Built on abandoned industrial sites, Atlantic Station offers the community brand-new retail, restaurant, apartment/condo living, and entertainment in a section of town once deemed undesirable. Such a district will bring jobs and economic stability to the West-End. Property tax abatement and other creative economic incentives will spur development.

We must build an East End Bridge. The bridge will stimulate the economy, put people to work, and be a triumphant example of cooperation and progress in the region.

Establish the Louisville BioSciences Authority. The purpose of this group will be to secure and distribute funding, as well as provide consultation services to BioScience related research companies or University research facilities established or relocating to Louisville. With the on-going research at the University of Louisville and the hospitals in the area, this authority will give Louisville the opportunity to attract private research labs, bring knowledge to the city, and treat diseases. Louisville has been on the cutting edge of medical technology in the past, it is time we lead the way again.

Find creative ways to maximize tourism and increase revenue in the community. One idea we have tossed around is hosting a Red Bull Air Race, possibly calling it “The Kentucky Air Derby,” prior to Thunder Over Louisville. We have contacted Red Bull Air Race, and they are interested in exploring the possibility of bringing their brand, and event to Louisville. This will give Louisville another corporate partner for the Derby festivities, as well as increase the number of patrons coming into Louisville for Thunder. This would greatly stimulate the local economies of Louisville and our friends across the river. We have to think outside the box.

Restructure and modernize the metro tax code. The key to economic recovery is giving more money back to the people, and letting them decide where it is spent. Provide tax incentives for start-up businesses employing fewer than 5 people.  Use property tax abatement and other economic incentives to encourage development in the Arena District. We will reduce the occupational taxes in Louisville, and create a tax code that will spur economic growth and move the city forward.

This is just a portion of the plan Chris would work toward as Mayor of Louisville. 

Chris is a proactive leader. He has experience in attracting companies and investment to Louisville, as he did with Verus Partners. A mayor with a proactive approach to job creation and economic development will lead Louisville forward. We are not a city for sale, but we need to attract companies that are good for business, and better for our people. 

Chris is a courageous leader who believes people come before politics. By working together, and reaching out to those in the community, we will be able to make Louisville the next great city.