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Report looks at progress, future of NKY shared services

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January 28, 2011

A new report is celebrating the shared government service successes already achieved by regional municipalities, and it's encouraging more.Titled "Connecting Communities," the report was produced in collaboration by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Vision 2015. It looks at the eight most northern counties of Kentucky: Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton. It highlights what communities in those counties already have done. (Grant County provides police services to the city of Crittenden, for example.)The report's call to action? "Collaboration has clearly helped Northern Kentucky to achieve progress. In these increasingly challenging times, it will be important to seek even more opportunities for collaboration."Read more about the report's recommendations and access the full report here.

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Surgical Energetics Moves Headquarters to Covington, KY

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General

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January 28, 2011

bioLOGIC Corp, a Covington, KY based life science accelerator, announced today that Surgical Energetics LLC (SE) has moved its headquarters to the bioLOGIC facility in Covington, KY.Founded in 1998 by the late Dr. David Melvin, previously known for performing the region's first heart transplants, SE has developed technology for the coupling of tissues never before reliably closable. This new coupling technology utilizes force-transfer surface dynamics to join living tissue to either a prosthetic device or other living tissue. SE's first product, FiberSecure, has been shown pre-clinically to connect tissue more strongly than existing sutures or staples, and holds durably where they cannot. The Company is pursuing FDA compliance through 510K process during Q4 2011, which will result in a commercially marketed product.bioLOGIC and SE have been in close collaboration since early 2007. "We are extremely pleased that Surgical Energetics has now chosen to move its operations to bioLOGIC," stated Dr. Charlie LeCroix, COO and partner at bioLOGIC. "The addition of SE and their patented wound closing technology to the current life science companies already located at bioLOGIC continues to expand the emerging life science corridor in Northern Kentucky.""Moving our headquarters to bioLOGIC in Northern Kentucky provides our company access to additional programs and support that will accelerate our path towards the 510K filing with the FDA," Dr. Natalia Juncosa-Melvin, Scientific Director at SE, commented.

Video Time-lapse video shows progress of Griffin Hall construction

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General

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January 28, 2011

At the new home of Informatics at NKU, a new generation of professionals will build our region's information economy. Watch Griffin Hall come together in a time-lapse movie of its construction from the ground up.

INVEN LLC

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General

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January 28, 2011

Since winning the Northern Kentucky Commercialization Awards at the Cincinnati Innovates competition in 2010, the young owners of INVEN LLC have opened an office in Florence and are ready to seize what they see as a major opportunity to become industry leaders in innovative, high-tech devices for dentistry.

Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Announces New Board Members

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General

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January 28, 2011

The Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED), the primary economic development marketing agency for Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Northern Kentucky, recently welcomed one new board member, four ex-officio members and a new foundation board member to its team.As an organization, Tri-ED's mission is to build a world-class economy in Northern Kentucky through the expansion of existing businesses and the creation and attraction of high quality, primary industry employers. Northern Kentucky Tri-ED strives to promote the region as a prime location for new and expanding industries to conduct business.Board members provide strategic leadership and active participation in Business Retention & Expansion, Entrepreneurship and Marketing efforts for Northern Kentucky Tri-ED.The following professionals were appointed to the board on Tuesday, January 11, 2011:Tri-County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors• Steve Arlinghaus, newly-elected Kenton County Judge-Executive will serve through term of officeTri-County Economic Development Foundation• Dee Ellingwood, Senior Vice President of Planning & Business Development, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for a three-year term from January, 2011Tri-County Economic Development Corporation Ex-Officio Members• John Mok, CEO Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport• Dr. James Votruba, President Northern Kentucky University• Dr. G. Edward Hughes, President & CEO Gateway Community & Technical College• Sr. Margaret Stallmeyer, President Thomas More College"Each of our new board members brings with them unique specialties that will serve as a benefit to the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati region as a whole," said Steve Pendery, Campbell County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Chairman of the Board. "This high-level expertise across a variety of industries will strengthen our community and advance economic development initiatives ensuring that Northern Kentucky is focused on its future success."

Time-lapse video shows progress of Griffin Hall construction

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General

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January 28, 2011

Nominate your favorite NKY company for Tech Day 2011!

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General

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January 28, 2011

ConnectKentucky will again honor the Commonwealth's technology leaders at its 2011 Tech Day on April 29, 2011.The 5th annual awards will be presented at a new venue – Great American Ball Park before the Cincinnati Reds host the Florida Marlins. The event is sponsored this year by CBTS. ConnectKentucky is soliciting nominations for awards in the following categories:• Small Business Technology Award goes to a small business that has successfully used broadband technology to broaden its customer reach and provide a positive example of technology use and capabilities in the Commonwealth.• Large Business Technology Award goes to a large business that has successfully used broadband technology to broaden its customer reach and act as a leader in technology use in the Commonwealth.• New and Emerging Business Technology Award goes to a start-up business that has successfully used broadband technology as a vehicle for growth and has acted as a model for other emerging Kentucky businesses.• Secondary Student Technology Award goes to a Kentucky high school student who has recognized the benefits of using broadband technology and promotes and implements its use in creative and inspiring ways.• Postsecondary Student Technology Award goes to a Kentucky college student who has recognized the benefits of using broadband technology and promotes and implements its use in creative and inspiring ways.• School District Technology Award goes to a Kentucky school district that has successfully used broadband technology to enhance the educational capacity of its institutions as well as inform students and parents of the value of broadband adoption.• Postsecondary Institution Technology Award goes to a Kentucky postsecondary institution that has successfully used broadband technology to enhance its educational capacity as well as provide students with an improved educational experience using broadband technology.• Government Leadership in Technology Award goes to a state or local government that has utilized broadband technology to improve effectiveness and efficiency in areas such as budgeting and service delivery.Nominations are due by April 1, 2011. For more information about the nominations or to receive a nomination form, contact ConnectKentucky Executive Director René True at rtrue@connectky.org.

Cincinnati YMCA’s offer ActivTrax virtual trainers

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General

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January 18, 2011

Nine Greater Cincinnati YMCA's are joining others across the country offering ActivTrax, a virtual trainer that offers users specific fitness and nutrition advice based on their personal goals."It's a free benefit to members that really is designed to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. It's a web-based personal trainer. Based on your goals and needs, it builds a customized workout for you each and every time you come to the YMCA. It helps you progress and meet your goals over time," said Dave Martorano, YMCA Vice President of Operations.Users can sign up at an ActivTrax kiosk at the Y. Since the program is web-based, members can use it and update their progress on a personal computer or mobile device. "Once you are enrolled, you can look up your information anywhere. You can log your food and workouts for the day and track your progress electronically," Martorano.For lower tech users, exercises and nutrition recommendation can be printed out at the kiosks.The system currently is used at 1,500 YMCAs, health clubs and wellness centers across the country. The Cincinnati Y's installed them late last month, just in time for those New Year's resolutions. ActivTrax gives users a calorie intake goal for the day, and has a database of more than 70,000 foods to help them keep track of those calories.More than 1,000 Cincinnati Y members have signed up, Martorano said.The system offers members guidance and a simple and individualized way to keep track of the systems recommendations. "We are already seeing users being more consistent, and making a lot of progress in meeting wellness goals," Martorano said.You can find a list of participating Y's here.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Dave Martorano, Cincinnati YMCA Vice President of OperationsYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites Nine Greater Cincinnati YMCA's are joining others across the country offering ActivTrax, a virtual trainer that offers users specific fitness and nutrition advice based on their personal goals."It's a free benefit to members that really is designed to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. It's a web-based personal trainer. Based on your goals and needs, it builds a customized workout for you each and every time you come to the YMCA. It helps you progress and meet your goals over time," said Dave Martorano, YMCA Vice President of Operations.Users can sign up at an ActivTrax kiosk at the Y. Since the program is web-based, members can use it and update their progress on a personal computer or mobile device. "Once you are enrolled, you can look up your information anywhere. You can log your food and workouts for the day and track your progress electronically," Martorano.For lower tech users, exercises and nutrition recommendation can be printed out at the kiosks.The system currently is used at 1,500 YMCAs, health clubs and wellness centers across the country. The Cincinnati Y's installed them late last month, just in time for those New Year's resolutions. ActivTrax gives users a calorie intake goal for the day, and has a database of more than 70,000 foods to help them keep track of those calories.More than 1,000 Cincinnati Y members have signed up, Martorano said.The system offers members guidance and a simple and individualized way to keep track of the systems recommendations. "We are already seeing users being more consistent, and making a lot of progress in meeting wellness goals," Martorano said.You can find a list of participating Y's here.Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Dave Martorano, Cincinnati YMCA Vice President of OperationsYou can follow Feoshia on twitter @feoshiawrites

The Most Affordable Cities in America

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Cincy In The News

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January 18, 2011

Forbes ranked Cincinnati number five out of the fifty most affordable U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The data looked at a combination of affordable real estate and a healthy ratio of income to living costs. The Midwestern metro dominated the bargain city list, being the most highly attractive for those seeking an affordable lifestyle. Read the full story here.

Iconic Price Hill building gets new life

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Development News

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January 11, 2011

Bill Kiffmeyer remembers how huge the players from the Cincinnati Reds looked to him as an eight year old boy when they visited his father's Price Hill dry cleaning shop. He also remembers how the sight of the shuttered shop would nearly bring his father to tears five decades later, after the neighborhood lost its luster and he had no choice but to close. The Kiffmeyer's family business was located on the ground floor of an elegant apartment building originally called the Robinson. As Kiffmeyer recalls, it was the largest building around and was the centerpiece of a thriving West side neighborhood. Today it stands as an eyesore, and the largest reminder of the neighborhood's decline. But a recent partnership between Price Hill Will and Model Group aims to change that. They have purchased the building and will turn it back into an apartment building."This is something that's sort of been the biggest drag on neighborhood, and when it's done it will be one of the biggest success stories," Price Hill Will's marketing director Matt Strauss said. The building located at 8th and Elberon will be converted into 37 units of affordable housing for senior residents of Price Hill. The project will use several funding sources including a federal tax credit which requires the units to be available as affordable housing. The units will house seniors who are currently neighborhood residents, but will not be a care facility. In addition to renovating and selling single family homes, Price Hill Will organizes an array of community outreach efforts ranging from litter pick-ups to neighborhood surveys. The Elberon building has been on their radar since before the group's inception, Strauss said, but was a far bigger project than any they had ever taken on. "We've gone out of our comfort zone to get something really important accomplished," Strauss said.Their partnership with Model Group, a private development firm with years of experience in affordable housing, allowed them to take on the project. Though Model owns the building, they will consult with Price Hill Will about design decisions and neighborhood impact, Model's development director David Thompson said.For proud Westsiders like Kiffmeyer and current residents the project is heartening. Kiffmeyer recalled his first reaction when Strauss told him the building would be renovated was, "Can I move in?"Writer: Henry SweetsPhotography by Scott Beseler.