BEAM announces export partnershi​p

Kentucky’'s two largest cities are looking to help businesses expand their markets.

Louisville and Lexington have formed a business partnership called the Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement, or BEAM. On Monday, BEAM officials announced plans for an export service for businesses in each city and along Interstate 64 between them.

“Part of this initiative is to physically reach out to companies, almost sort of hold their hand and say this is how you export," says Louisville mayor's spokesman Chris Ponyter. "It will have many components. We will be connecting companies to foreign buyers, we'’ll be connecting companies to foreign export finance program,” he says.

The export imitative is coming from Louisville'’s Innovation Delivery Team, which is funded with a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.