Smart Growth Ambassadors

Smart Growth Ambassadors

Smart Growth Ambassadors is back! Join us on Wednesday, October 29th at Ethereal Slice House for an evening of civic engagement, education, and community. 

Details

Fayette Alliance’s 2025 Smart Growth Ambassadors program will focus on how Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s (LFUCG) boards and commissions impact smart growth in our community — and how you can get involved.

We’ll take a deep dive into the structure and composition of boards and commissions, and prepare you to take real action to strengthen your street, neighborhood, and city. 

• Did You Know: LFUCG has 67 different boards and commissions, each with their own duties and responsibilities, composed of community members, business leaders, and local government staff. 

Vice Mayor Dan Wu and Councilmember Shayla Lynch will present on their work at City Hall, championing to make boards and commissions more accessible, equitable, and effective. 

Data

Thanks to a 2024 study by CivicLex, we know the areas which need the most focus for increasing representation from Lexington community members:

• 93% of all members, across all 67 boards and commissions, reported being homeowners. Only 53% of Lexington residents are homeowners. 
• People under 40 are underrepresented on LFUCG Boards and Commissions. This is most stark for people under the age of 30. The median age of a board member is 51, significantly older than Lexington’s citywide median of 37.
• There are significant disparities in geographic representation. Near-downtown council districts (Districts 1, 3, and 5) are overrepresented, while Lexington’s more suburban districts (specifically Districts 4, 7, and 8) are significantly underrepresented. All other districts are also underrepresented, but to a lesser extent.

Get Involved

LFUCG’s boards and commissions have an immeasurable impact on our community, but need more diverse representation to accurately our city as a whole.

Fayette Alliance wants to empower you to use your voice to push for smart growth at the local level. At Smart Growth Ambassadors, you’ll be given the tools you need to do just that.

Join us on October 29th at 5:30pm at Ethereal Slice House to get engaged!

Registration