PADUCAH, KY - According to the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, their 2012 D.C. Fly-in was a huge success.  The Chamber took 29 business and community leaders to Washington, D.C. on September 12 – 13. During the two days, the Chamber had 23 meetings with key elected officials and cabinet leaders.

“The primary focus of this year’s trip was energy and national security, transportation, and safety,” stated Tom Garrett, Board Chair. “This included the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant site and its importance to national security and energy production as well as the transition of the site to new viable economic uses; the inland waterways; Interstates 66 and 69; Barkley Regional Airport, and the Paducah Flood Protection System repairs.”

Key community and business leaders participating included County Judge Executive Van Newberry, Mayor Bill Paxton, City Commissioner Gayle Kaler, representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, and numerous business leaders.

The goal of their visit to the nation’s capital was to build relationships with federal officials, and to communicate to them the importance of our community’s priority projects and top business advocacy concerns. In addition, they expressed appreciation for their past support and investigated future funding opportunities.

The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit business advocacy organization with nearly 1,000 members. The Chamber has been serving the needs of the business community for over 70 years.