Covington

This genteel town just south of the Ohio River features a number of charming treasures including the lively MainStrasse district with its trendy bars, pubs and restaurants as well as beautiful homes stretched along the river beneath the strikingly modern architecture of the architectural jewel, the Ascent at Roebling's Bridge, designed by Daniel Libeskind. Covington is experiencing a renaissance with new shops, restaurants and condos opening along Madison and Pike Streets, and a burgeoning Arts District that acts as the cultural glue that binds the city's charm to its proud denizens. Plus, its successful startup scene is attracting entrepreneurs, especially in emerging informatics and data-driven industries thanks to the UpTech business accelerator.

Innovation workshop coming to Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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February 24, 2009

Organizations that have figured out that innovation should not be confined to the R&D department are dominating their industries.To sell innovation as a way for organizations to enhance teamwork and collective thinking, Breakthrough Management Group International (BMGI) has scheduled a one-day workshop called An Executive Introduction to Innovation, to be held March 11 at the Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter.The $199 workshop will cover how the best-run organizations have developed sustainable approaches to innovation, a roadmap and tools to help achieve innovation, ways to identify innovators hidden inside an organization, approaches for overcoming obastacles to innovation, and the link between innovation and other approaches to problem solving.Using these innovation tools, BMGI says that organizational challenges can be met in a reliable and repeatable way -- leading to continues success and sustainability.Read the full release here

$1M Haile Foundation gift to help Vision 2015 implement goals

By Newsroom

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Development News

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February 17, 2009

The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation has announced a four-year, $1,000,000 investment in Vision 2015, a gift that will help the organization attract the people and organizations necessary to achieve its vision.Vision 2015, a community strategic plan for the nine-county Northern Kentucky region, includes specific goals to transform the region through improvements in education, the economy, governance, livable communities, the urban core and regional stewardship.The Foundation's gift will be paid in installments, allowing Vision 2015 to meet critical funding needs for program management and implementation.These goals often are adopted and implemented by area organizations, agencies, governments, businesses, and volunteers."This generous gift is vital for Vision 2015 to build and sustain its current programs and initiatives," says Vision 2015 chair A.J. Schaeffer. "The resources will allow us to continue our efforts to transform the community's regional vision into reality."Vision 2015 believes that, with closer cooperation with public, private, and civic partners, Northern Kentucky can achieve regional success and accomplish the 10 year community-wide strategic plan developed during the visioning process in 2005."Both Vision 2015 and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation are committed to addressing the most pressing needs in our community," says John Domaschko, Vision 2015's interim president. "The majority of the funds will go towards economic development, educational excellence, and livable communities, as these three focus areas most closely align with the wishes and vision of The Foundation and Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr."Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Kara Clark, vice president of strategic initiatives and communication, Vision 2015

Starting a business in Kentucky just got easier with FastTrack

By Newsroom

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Development News

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February 17, 2009

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has made it easier for entrepreneurs to file their business with the introduction of FastTrack. Facilitated by the Office of the Secretary of State, FastTrack is an online service designed to reduce the amount of time it takes to file incorporation documents, allowing companies to be up and running much quicker than before.The online service will eliminate much of the bureaucratic "red tape," with filers generally having their online application reviewed by office staff within one business day. And because the service is intuitive to Kentucky law, far fewer applications will be rejected due to common mistakes.FastTrack is part of the office's focus on becoming more economically and environmentally friendly, while providing greater accessibility and customer service to constituents. Under Secretary of State Trey Grayson, the office has launched 25 new or upgraded online services and has uploaded more than 3 million documents to the website."It is our responsibility to provide the most efficient and accessible service, in the most environmentally friendly way possible," says Secretary Grayson. "The changes we have made to this office are the kind of transformations that government should be making in the 21st Century, where we do more with less by creating a 24-hour a day online service center."The service is now open to domestic corporations and limited liability corporations (LLCs), and is expected to be expanded to foreign business entities over the next several months.Over 20,000 domestic corporations and LLCs were filed in Kentucky in 2008.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Commonwealth of Kentucky Office of the Secretary of State

Delta cuts fares at CVG up to 60%

By Newsroom

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General

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February 17, 2009

A bit of welcome news for frequent fliers: Delta has just cut fares on domestic flights to and from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).And this is not a temporary sales ploy, assures Delta Chief Operating Officer Steve Gorman. This rate reduction marks the beginning of a new strategy for Delta.With as wide a range as five to sixty percent mark down, the price cuts will apply to walk-up fares and pre-purchased business and leisure tickets for flights to cities in the Northeast, on the West Coast, and in Florida. In total, 80% of passengers flying in or out of CVG will benefit from the cuts.“I applaud Delta for making the decision to lower fares in response to travelers’ requests," says Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory. Only round-trip tickets that require a minimum stay of three nights, or a Saturday night, will be sold at reduced rates. "These are substantial fare reductions and my first response is 'Thank you,'" says H. Lawson Walker II, Chairman of the Airport Board. Indeed, airport officials are hopeful that reduced fares will attract more travelers to use CVG, instead of other nearby airports."We are very much committed to making the Cincinnati hub as successful as possible," Gorman says.And it's not just travelers who benefit.Combined with CVG's solid reputation – including a spot in the 2008 J.D. Power 10 Best Hub Airports in North America – Mayor Mallory adds that this development "will be an additional selling point when we talk to businesses about investing in Cincinnati." Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

bioLOGIC expanding Covington lab space

By Newsroom

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Development News

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February 10, 2009

bioLOGIC Corp, a global life science investment and management company, is expanding its U.S. headquarters by relocating to Covington Station at 632 Russell Street.The 4,500-square-foot space will help the company further its mission of cultivating and growing biotech and life science companies, consolidating office and lab space and providing a new home for its genetic diagnostic testing company."It's about consolidation and growth," says Margaret van Gilse, vice president of business development for bioLOGIC. "Our labs are not where our offices are. This will allow the other life sciences companies that are part of our group to work and grow together under one roof."The building was rehabbed by Marc Tischbein and Tony Kreutzjans, who will also handle the build out.The company expects to move into the building by late April or early May.Founded at Cincinnati's BioStart incubator in 2007, bioLOGIC grew so quickly that it struck out on its own, moving to Covington's John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge toll house last October."Covington still has great access to research in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati," Gilse says. "And they welcomed us with open arms. They encouraged us to move here, and they've done whatever they can to help us."Gilse attributes much of the company's success to Kentucky's pro-business attitude – specifically its focus on growing life science and biotech through matching federal funding."The Commonwealth of Kentucky has very innovative programs for emerging businesses," she says. "It's a very streamlined process. Funding is very accessible and it doesn't take long to go through the process and get awarded funds."Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Margaret van Gilse, vice president of business development, bioLOGIC Group

General Cable wins $100 million contract in Indonesia

By Newsroom

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General

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February 3, 2009

Highland Heights-based General Cable Corporation's (GCC) subsidiary, Norddeutsche Seekabelwerke GmbH (NSW), and repeater technology partner, Fujitsu have a new $100 million deal on the books.It entails laying 1,000 miles of pipe off the coast of Indonesia. GCC was awarded this massive submarine fiber optic communications link project, called JaKa2LaDeMa, by PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk (PT Telecom).This project is the first underwater high-bandwidth cable project of its kind for several Indonesian islands: Kalmiantan, Sulawesi, Java, Bali and Lombok. NSW will provide the cable, among other things, while Fujitsu supplies cutting edge terminal equipment, repeaters, branching unit system integration and other services. This project grew out of GCC's 2007 acquirement of NSW and its increased investment in its submarine capabilities. From its location on a tributary of the North Sea, with deep-sea pier, NSW is ideally suited to further develop this submarine cable laying vision.This substantial submarine venture is expected to reach completion in the first quarter of 2010. GCC is expected to receive $80 million for its part in the project. Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: General Cable Corporation

Soapdish: Foodie Feudies

By Casey Coston

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Arts + Culture

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February 3, 2009

The much publicized breakup of Jean-Robert de Caval from financial backers Martin & Marilyn Wade and the subsequent closing of Pigall's restaurant have seen a furious storm of hand wringing and gnashing of teeth within the Cincinnati dining set. Will the closing mark the end of sophisticated dining in Cincinnati? Soapdish columnist, Casey Coston reminds us that, far from in decline, the Cincinnati culinary scene is just hitting its stride.

Cincinnati in top 30 most wired cities

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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January 27, 2009

Cincinnati has ranked as the 28th most wired city in the United States, according to an annual evaluation conducted by Forbes.com.Forbes measured cities' "wired quotient" by computing the percentage of Internet users with high-speed connections, the number of companies providing high-speed Internet, and the number of public Wi-Fi hotspots.Placing between Philadelphia and Columbus, Cincinnati received top 20 marks for broadband adoption and Wi-Fi hotspots, but lost ground due to the number of service providers available. Ohio has invested heavily in providing 100 percent broadband access throughout the state, and the Obama administration and House Democrats have proposed including $6 billion for broadband infrastructure as part of the economic stimulus package.Read the full article here.

Historic Covington townhomes see new light

By Newsroom

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Architecture + Design

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January 27, 2009

Two renovated townhomes have hit the market in Covington's Licking Riverside Historic District, and the Huff Realty sales team plans to show them off to realtors and qualified buyers during a champagne lunch tomorrow from 11 AM to 2 PM.Covington real estate developer and philanthropist David Herriman has restored the twin three-story units at 223-225 E 2nd Street, now being offered for $565,000-$575,000.The Federal style buildings, constructed in the 1850s, were one of the few properties in the district that had not been renovated."Each one had three really tacky one-bedroom apartments that had been cobbled out of the property," Herriman says. "Then there was a kind of a 1950s frame addition in the back that we took out. And a dilapidated single-car garage."Herriman purchased the buildings in February 2008 and began the process of getting approvals from the city for the proper exterior colors, replacement windows, and other building elements.Because he had experience developing such properties as Riverside Terrace, the Arthur Historic Apartments, rowhouses on 3rd Street and scattered-site infill, the process went smoothly."They're pretty particular, which I appreciate," Herriman says. "But Covington has always been very helpful."Designer and contractor Jerry Ewers of Spaces handled the restoration, which topped $1 million including acquisition costs.Completely gutted and rebuilt, each unit features oak flooring, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a huge master suite and bath, and lots of closet space.Homeowners will also have access to one garage and one off-street parking space from the adjacent alley, and a private patio that functions as a kind of urban courtyard."These would be perfect for a young executive, a young couple, or even empty nesters," Herriman says.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSources: David Herriman, developer; Rebecca Weber, Huff Realty Photography by Kevin LeMaster

Soapicks January 27-February 2

By Sheila Owens

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Arts + Culture

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January 26, 2009

January is coming to an end and with that we welcome February, featuring colder days and even hotter winter events in Cincinnati. This week catch a play about love at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, drink in the poetry of Richard Hague at InkTank, celebrate Obama's presidency with recycled trash at The Base Cooperative Gallery and listen to over 25 bands perform for the Winter Blues Fest.