Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who belongs to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce?

A. Companies of all sizes - from Fortune 500 corporations to family-owned shops. Our members represent all types of industries: manufacturing, services, wholesale and retail trade, construction, agriculture, finance and public administration. Fifty percent of our members have fewer than 31 employees. We have member businesses in 114 of Kentucky's 120 counties, which means that more than 50 percent of Kentucky's private workforce benefit from the resources offered through Chamber membership.

Q. What are the key benefits and services offered by the Chamber?

A. The Chamber's unique package of benefits has something to offer both small businesses and large corporations. Benefits include insider updates on the latest legislative news, year-round lobbying efforts on behalf of business, quotes on group health, dental and life insurance, discounted human resource services, a package of voluntary insurance benefits and much more. New services are continually added to meet our members' changing needs.

Q. By joining the local chamber, am I also a member of the Kentucky Chamber?

A. No. Although chambers operate on the local, state and federal levels, each operates independently and is governed by a separate board of directors. Local chambers tend to focus their energies on issues pertinent to their communities, such as economic development and downtown revitalization. State chambers focus their energies on issues before the state legislature, such as workers' compensation, business taxes and safety issues. Roughly 40 percent of the issues that affect business are passed at the state level, and this is the area where the state chamber holds most of its influence. There is also a U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. that works on business issues at the Federal level.

Q. What are some of the Kentucky Chamber's key legislative victories?

A. In 2000, the Chamber opposed several Senate and House bills that attempted to derail the workers' compensation reforms of 1996. All of the bills were either defeated or withdrawn by their sponsors. In 1998, the Chamber supported Senate Bill 296 which granted employers a $17.5 million annual break on unemployment insurance. Savings: $11.44 per employee per year.

In 1998, House Bill 280 was supported by the Chamber and established a $500 individual or corporate income tax credit per employee for occupational and skills upgrade training. Savings: Up to $1 million per approved company every two years.

In 1996, House Bill 1 reformed Kentucky's workers' compensation system and is considered among the Chamber's most significant victories. Savings: $327 million to employers or $192.35 per employee per year.