Covington

NKY e-zone executive named to new Entrepreneurs Foundation of Kentucky board

Casey Barach, vice president of entrepreneurship at Northern Kentucky e-zone, is the first Northern Kentuckian named to the newly founded Entrepreneurs Foundation of Kentucky board. “Vision 2015, Northern Kentucky’s 10-year strategic plan, includes a goal of making entrepreneurship and innovation defining qualities of our region,” says Barach.  “My appointment to the Board of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Kentucky will help raise Northern Kentucky’s profile and awareness among entrepreneurs in the Commonwealth and on a national level.” The Lexington-based non-profit, in the startup stage, was founded in January of this year. Its aim is to engage a wide range of entrepreneurs and companies in philanthropic efforts for communities across Kentucky. It was created by a group including Blue Grass Community Foundation, The Community Foundation of Louisville, Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the Foundation for the Tri-State Community. The six-member board of directors includes attorneys, entrepreneurs and other business and community interests. Similar initiatives have been successful in San Francisco, Austin, Colorado and Hawaii. “There are a many young professionals in the area and companies are bringing in a nice, young demographic. You want to teach folks to get involved in community from day one,” Barach said. Barach was part of the e-zone’s early stages and came on in July 2001 as executive director. He’s a former senior vice president of corporate development and general counsel for the Lottery Channel/Lottery.com., and former senior vice president/general manager of AT&T Broadband (formerly TCI Telecommunications, Inc.). Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Casey Barach, Vice President of entrepreneurship at Northern Kentucky e-zone, Entrepreneurs Foundation of Kentucky.

TANK looking for input as it moves to roll with leaner vehicles

The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) is looking to make some changes over the next several months that will include replacing their current fleet of buses for smaller vehicles that will once again be able to traverse the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.  By the spring of 2010, TANK intends to introduce these smaller vehicles with a lighter overall weight which will result in a multifaceted cost-cutting move. In 2007, an 11-ton weight limit was enacted following a structural analysis from the University of Kentucky which banned TANK buses from using the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge due to the damage the heavy buses were causing to the 143-year-old river span.  The move was seen as a way to help extend the life of the bridge and minimize costly maintenance needed to keep the bridge safe for automotive and pedestrian passage.  The move also created a host of problems for TANK's bus system that relies heavily on connectivity across the river and into Cincinnati. At the time, the central location and minimal traffic using the Roebling Suspension Bridge made for an ideal route for TANK buses.  As a result of the 11-ton weight limit some 23 routes, including the popular Southbank Shuttle, had to be moved to other nearby bridges like the Taylor-Southgate Bridge.  The new routes have added mileage that has not only slowed service times to and from Cincinnati, but has also increased fuel costs exponentially for the cash-strapped transit authority. The survey appears to indicate a possible shift in the type of service that might exist between the three primary river cities.  Not only will buses become smaller and lighter, but the frequency of service may also be increasing with a heavier focus on out-of-town guests looking to navigate their way between Newport, Covington, and Cincinnati's many attractions without an automobile. TANK is currently looking for input from the community to learn how to best implement the changes that will allow TANK buses to roll across the bridge once again.  Until Thursday, October 1, interested individuals are encouraged to take an online survey that will be used to help define the new service both in terms of its scope and functionality. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

Daymar College opens campus with a ‘Vue

By moving its Northern Kentucky campus from Newport to Bellevue, Daymar College has set its sights high. Students and staff will now enjoy a panoramic view of the riverfront from the Harbor Greene building’s fourth floor. The Fairfield Ave. location offers the technical college 27,231 sq. ft., larger classrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows. On Sept. 26, Daymar hosted an Open House for its new community. Door prizes included a 32” LCD TV and an iPod Nano. “We are very excited to show off our beautiful campus to the public. We’ve been in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati community for four years, and our new facility shows how committed we are to growing and being a part of this area,” said Jeunet Davenport, Campus Director. “The new campus really provides a warm, friendly, nurturing environment that students will really appreciate.” Davenport expects an enrollment of 400 students in its day and evening classes this year. Daymar’s Bellevue campus comfortably accommodates these, with room for expansion. The sleek, modern look of Harbor Greene draws students in. The Urban Active Fitness on the building’s second and third floors add an energetic vibe. Royce Pulliam is partner in P&P Real Estate, which manages Harbor Greene. “We feel that Daymar is a perfect fit and a great co-tenancy for our mixed-use development.” Daymar College’s Kentucky roots date to its 1963 inception as Owensboro Business College. It has now expanded to 11 locations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Programs include diplomas and associate degrees in healthcare, criminal justice, business, and web design. Writer: Elena Stevenson Source: Jeunet Davenport, Campus Director, Daymar College of Bellevue; Daymar College press release, www.daymarcollege.edu

Preview new bike-hike trail in Nky

The first section of the Licking River Greenway and Trails project is offering up the opportunity for bikers and nature hikers alike to take in the new trail from 16th Street to Holmes High School along the Licking River. The Licking River Greenway and Trails project is a component of Northern Kentucky's Vision 2015, and is part of a larger master plan that includes hiking/biking trails and parks along both sides of the Licking River in Kenton and Campbell counties, from the Ohio River to the Interstate 275 bridge five miles south. Read full article here.

Officials Want Your Help in Saving Covington’s Nordheim Gallery

Small Area Study Looks to Address Issues in Latonia Neighborhood

Northern Kentucky’s Poised for New Incentives

Only months since it became law, the economic impact of "Incentives for a New Kentucky" (INK) legislation enacted in late June have been realized largely downstate -- until now.  Northern Kentucky is on the verge of  qualified projects for Kentucky's new intentives state officials say. 

The Candy Bar has brought the old neighborhood style candy shop back to Nky

Joe Barta has always had the dream to open up his own candy store, and in the process, bring back the old neighborhood style candy shop many grew up with.  On Labor Day weekend Barta's dream came true when he opened The Candy Bar in Covington's Mainstrasse Village. While the business has always been a dream of Barta's, he had always thought it might be a retirement venture until the struggling job market fast-tracked his plans earlier this year.  After tossing the idea around with his family, Barta then took his general business plan to Northern Kentucky University's Small Business Development Center where they refined his plan and determined that his business venture was indeed a good one. The Small Business Development Center was a "tremendous help" according to Barta who was unsure whether it was the right time and right plan to open such an establishment.  "Fortunately we were able to get the traffic from the UK/Miami football game, Riverfest, and Oktoberfest celebrations on Mainstrasse," said Barta. The 300 square-foot store located between the fountain and clocktower on Mainstrasse was a spot that Barta says he immediately fell in love with.  "It's family friendly, there is a park immediately across the street, and has access to lots of festivals," said Barta about the location which would also make for a great purchase eventually. "I would love to buy the building and move my family upstairs while running the store out of the retail space on the first level," said Barta. The Candy Bar is currently offers around 250 different types of candy; some of which date back more than 100 years.  The types of available candy is still growing as a unique feature to The Candy Bar is the board at the front of the store where customers can request a particular candy that they may remeber from their childhood. Barta notes that candy bars sell for around $1, and several candies are sold as two or three for a quarter.  "Candy is a treat and you don't need the supersize me mentality when it comes to buying candy," said Barta who goes on to say that The Candy Bar does not sell a lot of bulk sizes. The store is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday from 1pm to 8pm and is closed on Mondays. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected and follow Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

bioLOGIC opens new U.S. HQ, biotech companies continue groundbreaking work

bioLOGIC Corp, a Covington-based global life science investment and management company, reached a new milestone with the official Grand Opening a life science accelerator building on Sept. 10.The building, which houses office and lab space for start-up biotech companies, also serves as bioLOGIC’s U.S. Headquarters. The company has affiliates in Shanghai, China; Ft. Collins, Colo.; and Melbourne, Australia.“We’re happy to develop Northern Kentucky’s first life science accelerator and create a home for high-tech small businesses that are competing and succeeding in the global biotech field,” said Nigel Ferrey, one of the founding partners of bioLOGIC. “Today’s ribbon cutting for bioLOGIC and its resident companies signals that Covington is now home to a world-class biotech cluster.” bioLOGIC already has a number of resident companies, including PHD Diagnostics, Bexion Pharmaceuticals, NeoCytex Biopharma, PureWater, PrimeDP and BotanoVation. These start-ups’ work covers the spectrum of biotech research and development, from anti-cancer drug development and genetic testing to natural health product development.High-ranking Kentucky government officials, including Gov. Steve Beshear attended the life science accelerator ribbon cutting on Russell Street in downtown Covington. bioLOGIC moved there from a space at the Toll House Building, just east of the historic Roebling Suspension Bridge.The governor announced that PHD Diagnostics is launching Respiragene™, a new genetic test that identifies individual’s risk of developing lung cancer. The test is targeted at smokers and non-smokers alike and PHD’s subsidiary, Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, will be the only lab in the nation processing the tests.“With Kentucky’s unfortunate claim to having the nation’s highest death rate from lung cancer, it is fitting that this test will be available first to Kentuckians and processed by a Kentucky company,” said Gov. Beshear said. “Our hope is that the test, which only requires rubbing a swab inside the mouth, can motivate more people to enter smoking cessation programs and help them avoid this deadly cancer, as well as lower their risk of heart disease, stroke and other smoking-related illnesses.” The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Department of Commercialization and Innovation had helped fund three bioLOGIC’s residents: PHD Diagnostics, Bexion Pharmaceuticals, and NeoCytex BioPharma. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Kentucky Department of Development