Fayette Alliance, Lexington land use nonprofit, celebrates 15 years of service

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Fayette Alliance, a Lexington land use nonprofit, is celebrating 15 years of service.

According to Fayette Alliance, the nonprofit was founded May 2, 2006 to address community issues like urban sprawl, a need for focused infill and redevelopment, overflowing sewers, and the protection of productive rural farmland.

“Fayette Alliance was the original collective voice for Lexington community members that saw a need to monitor growth and land-use policy,” said Fayette Alliance Board Chair and original founding Board member Don Robinson. “In 2006, the World Monument Fund identified the Bluegrass as one of the most culturally important and top endangered landscapes in the world. Since then, Fayette Alliance has led the way to promote the balance between our unique, beautiful land and the growth of our city in a way that makes best use of the resources we have available.”

According to Fayette Alliance, the nonprofit continues to promote smart growth through advocacy, education, and research.

“Over the past 15 years, Fayette Alliance has transformed the conversation around growth and development,” said Fayette Alliance Executive Director Brittany Roethemeier. “We will proudly continue to bring the voices of our community together to advance smart and equitable growth policies in Lexington. There’s still hard work to be done, but Lexington is an extraordinary place and it’s worth fighting for.”

To commemorate the milestone, Fayette Alliance will profile their impact with 15 accomplishments from the past 15 years, videos from community and Board members, and a special 15th anniversary logo. In addition, they will be releasing a celebratory bourbon, launching this fall.

As Fayette Alliance marks the anniversary, it also commits to work toward an equitable future in both land-use policy and agriculture. According to Fayette Alliance, the nonprofit has pledged to support Black Soil KY, a local organization working to reconnect black Kentuckians to their legacy and heritage in agriculture, with a $15,000 grant over three years.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive this grant, to move forward with strength in celebrating our shared history and collective hope for the future,” said Ashley C. Smith, COO and co-founder of Black Soil KY. “This grant will help Black Soil expand our mission and our vision, specifically, to reach college students through our UK Cornerstone Exchange work, extend access to seasonal produce through Julietta Market, and promote our historic hamlets across Fayette County.”

You can learn more about Fayette Alliance, HERE.