July 22nd, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Martin A. Kish
(502) 352-2485 - Office
(859) 351-8420 - Mobile
Washington-Based BIPAC Picks Kentucky Association of Manufacturers As Its Exclusive Rollout Partner for the Kentucky Prosperity Project www.kentuckyprosperity.org
Frankfort -- BIPAC, the Business Industry Political Action Committee, has chosen the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) over all other Kentucky business associations to be its exclusive rollout partner for the Kentucky Prosperity Project (www.kentuckyprosperity.org), according to Jim LeMaster, president and CEO of KAM.
Kentucky is the 33rd state to get the Prosperity Project, a web-based national program that aims to educate employers and their employees about the critical impact of public policy and elections on industrial competitiveness, economic growth, job security and personal prosperity. It also tracks state and federal lawmakers’ votes on key bills.
“We’re very enthusiastic about working with the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers to help promote a more favorable climate for Kentucky businesses and increase the political awareness and involvement of the men and women they employ,” Greg Casey, president and CEO of BIPAC, said. “Kentucky’s business and political climate ranks it among our top target states for the 2008 election cycle. Both KAM and BIPAC will dedicate increased resources to affect positive outcomes for employers and workers.”
To help rapidly deploy the Kentucky Prosperity Project to Kentucky manufacturers, their suppliers and other supporting businesses, Ken Carroll has joined KAM to serve as director of the Project. Carroll, formerly with the University of Kentucky Center for Manufacturing, has worked in state government, education, manufacturing and retailing.
The national Prosperity Project initiative has become the most pervasive and fastest growing business grassroots program in the nation. Voters downloaded nearly two million voter registration and early ballot forms from websites such as www.kentuckyprosperity.org. The non-partisan nature of the program ensures that issues and candidates are measured based on their impact on Kentucky’s economy, and not their political affiliation.
“The Kentucky Manufacturers Association wants to help more of our state’s businesses and citizens understand the very real and direct impact public policy and elections have on their ability to succeed,” Jim LeMaster, KAM President & CEO, said. “The Prosperity Project gives us the right tools to do just that, and we are thankful for the support that this nationally recognized organization is delivering to our state.”
Each year, more businesses throughout the country utilize the Prosperity Project in order to provide their employees and associates alternatives to the negative advertising and sound bites that constitute much of the information available about political campaigns. BIPAC states that research shows that most employees are grateful for information that relates important election choices to their jobs and economic future. When provided such information, more individuals will participate in the election process by registering and voting.
The Kentucky Manufacturing Association said providing more opportunities and motivation for potential voters to exercise their democratic right to vote, a major goal of the program, will be good for the entire state.
About KAM
Established in 1911, the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers is the Commonwealth’s only manufacturing trade association. KAM’s mission is to raise the prosperity of all Kentuckians by protecting and growing our state’s economic engine: manufacturing. KAM proactively works with elected officials, policymakers, chambers of commerce, other associations, economic development experts, the news media, the general public and its own members to drive results through eight branded initiatives: ProsperousKentuckysm, ProductiveKentuckysm, FreedomKentuckysm, SmartKentuckysm, HealthyKentuckysm, HonestKentuckysm, MarketKentuckysm and CleanKentuckysm. On the web at www.KAManufacturers.com
About BIPAC
Since 1963 BIPAC has stood at the intersection of issues and elections, directing business leaders to the people who can support their priorities and the path to resolution. Founded as an independent, bipartisan group to serve as the political action arm of American business and industry, BIPAC's mission is to identify, endorse and elect champions of free enterprise to the U.S. Congress and to encourage greater business participation in the political process. BIPAC takes an integrated, strategic approach to politics that includes PACs, grassroots and advocacy. For more information about BIPAC, please contact Mary M. Shaffrey at shaffrey@bipac.org or 202) 833-1880 or visit www.bipac.org/prosperityproject.