LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton announced on June 30 a new internship pilot program aimed at strengthening Lexington's technology sector by connecting students with local employers, according to a press release from the City of Lexington.

The program will provide selected employers with partial reimbursement for wages for up to two tech-based intern positions, with the city anticipating it will fund 30 to 40 internships. To be eligible, students must be enrolled full-time at a partnering university or college and within two years of finishing their degrees. Each internship must consist of at least 120 hours of work, or 20 hours per week for six weeks.

"Our goal is to grow tech employment by establishing new connections among our educational institutions, students, workers and employers," Gorton said in a statement. "We want to retain talent, and meet the demands of our growing technology sector."

Councilmember-at-Large James Brown said the program would "connect local tech companies, educators, and students" to build a pipeline of opportunity, while Tenth District Councilmember Dave Sevigny, a former IT company owner, highlighted the long-term value of internships for cultivating talent and identifying future leaders.

The city allocated $90,000 for the initial cost of the pilot program, which was recommended by TEConomy Partners, a consultant firm specializing in innovation-driven economic development. The program is flexible and will accommodate both true technology internships in software, hardware and digital services, and tech-enabled internships that use technology to enhance operations or products.

Lexington's tech sector has been growing, with the region's tech job market expanding 4.1% and seeing a 32% increase in AI-related job openings, according to recent data. The city will accept applications through an online form starting Monday, July 6, at lexingtonky.formstack.com/forms/internship_program_exhibit_c_organization_application.