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.

NKY Chamber, Cincinnati USA to host regional economic summit

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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January 20, 2009

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Cincinnati USA Partnership will be hosting the 2009 Regional Economic Outlook on January 27 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.Topics will include the new administration's economic policy, the federal government's bailout package, regional population growth, and the state of the local manufacturing industry.A panel of the region's top economists, including representatives from Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, and the private sector will take part in a question and answer section that will uncover strategies to help the region navigate its way through the down market.Admission is $25, free for Partnership investors.Read the full article and/or pre-register here.

NKY ezone clients Global Shelter Systems and Packaging Services Group receive $500,000 and $30,000

By Newsroom

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Innovation News

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January 20, 2009

Northern Kentucky ezone clients were raking in the dough in 2008 – totaling $1.375 million to be exact.Most recently, ezone clients Global Shelter Systems (GSS) and Packaging Services Group (PSG) contributed to this figure, with investments from the Kentucky Enterprise Fund (KEF). GSS, a manufacturer of products used for blast protection in wars, received a $500,000 investment from the KEF at the end of a financing campaign."Any successful business is about building relationships and this is where the funding becomes more strategic," says GSS President, Stephanie Herron. "One of the reasons that we've received such enthusiasm is because we've been dedicated to bringing jobs into Northern Kentucky. We, with full intention, have focused on keeping manufacturing and suppliers in Northern Kentucky."GSS wasn't the only ezone client to benefit from a recent gift. PSG, a company that assists clients with managing complex specification data on packaging, received a $30,000 grant from the KEF.Alongside the KEF, ezone clients also benefited from investments from the Rural Innovation Fund. Both programs selectively dole out public funds for the development of promising technology and innovative companies based in Kentucky. Both funds provide one-time grants of $30,000 and equity investments from $100,000 to $750,000.Ezone is a division of Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Northern Kentucky Tri-ED). Since its founding in 2001, ezone has helped to create 973 new jobs with 134 new Northern Kentucky-based firms.More information about ezone can be found here, and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, here. Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Northern Kentucky ezone, Stephanie Herron

Cincinnati State grabs $499K for green business and technology

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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January 20, 2009

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has been awarded $499,014 for its green business and green technology programs from the U.S. Department of Labor.In Northern Kentucky, Gateway Community and Technical College will receive $846,670 for training in the homeland security industry.Part of President Bush's Community-Based Job Training Grants Initiative, the grant is meant to improve the ability of community colleges and community-based organizations to provide their regions' workers with the skills needed to enter growing industries.The Cincinnati State and Gateway applications were two of 68 approved out of 274 submitted for the $123 million in grants.Read the full release here.

NKU plays a key role in Kentucky’s ambitious ehealth agenda

By Newsroom

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General

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January 20, 2009

Kentucky doctors will soon have access to the cutting edge of health information technology at their fingertips.Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo have just announced that Kentucky is launching the state of the art Kentucky Health Information Exchange, which will allow doctors to obtain instantaneous, complete medical histories of their patients when making critical decisions. And Northern Kentucky University (NKU), alongside the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, is playing a significant role in developing this information infrastructure.“E-health is the next major frontier in healthcare delivery,” says NKU President, Dr. James C. Votruba. “With this in mind, NKU is making a major investment in e-health and we’re excited about working with partners across the commonwealth on behalf of a brighter future for all Kentuckians."This statewide health information web network will save time and lives by eliminating duplicate procedures and improper drug treatments, as indicated by patients' health records, which will also boost privacy in their improved digital format.“This initiative – to create a statewide information exchange – is an important first step in making Kentucky a national leader in the emerging e-health movement,” Gov. Beshear says.Lt. Gov. Mongiardo cites the health industry's sluggish adoption of information technology as one factor contributing to its often exorbitant cost in the US.“The banking industry is 20 years ahead of health care in implementing information technology,” Lt. Gov. Mongiardo says.President Obama has responded by pitching a plan to invest $50 billion in health information technology over the next five years. Estimates suggest that a $10 billion stimulus investment in the health industry would create up to 212,000 jobs, half of which would fall into the small business and high-paying, high-tech industries. Writer: Jonathan DeHartSource: Commonwealth of Kentucky, Office of the Governor

Vision 2015 releases master plan for Licking Greenway

By Newsroom

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Development News

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January 6, 2009

Vision 2015 has released a final report on a master plan for the development of a Licking River Greenway and Trails system between the I-275 bridge and the Ohio River.Started in October 2007 and designed by the firms of Woolpert and Human Nature, the plan takes into account the various planning efforts, proposed development, cultural and historical resources, ecosystems and infrastructure throughout the river corridor and includes both an initial, achievable implementation phase as well as longer-term possibilities.In addition to identifying several new park opportunities, the master plan maps a network of connective, regional trails; a water trail with new river access points and crossings; cultural and natural assets; and existing parks and green infrastructure.The plan fits into Vision 2015's broader goal of creating more exciting, active places to live through revamping education, creating jobs, revitalizing the urban core, and promoting parks."Communities that have identified their natural resources and cultural assets, and have enhanced them, are going to be the ones that are economically competitive," says Pat Timm, civic engagement coordinator for the Licking River Greenway.The corridor will eventually connect to the Little Miami Trail, through the proposed Riverfront Commons and the Ohio River Trail."That will make it not only a recreational amenity, but also a destination that will go from Northern Kentucky to Springfield, Ohio," Timm says.Funding sources, which could include federal grants and private foundation funds, will be examined in greater detail as the implementation phase of the project progresses.Timm believes that funding won't be difficult to find, especially with the Obama administration's focus on infrastructure and jobs."I believe it can be done," she says. "I believe that we in Northern Kentucky have the commitment to do it, and that the challenges of raising money are not really any different today than they have ever been."Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Pat Timm, civic engagement coordinator, Licking River GreenwayIllustration provided

NKU’s College of Informatics poised to make Kentucky national center for medical R&D

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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January 6, 2009

Informatics, or the science of information and the application of information technology to a specific field is big business for the State of Kentucky and specifically, Northern Kentucky University. Efforts are currently underway to make NKU's young College of Informatics a national center for research and development of better information technology in the health-care industry. The hope is that Northern Kentucky University will become the national leader on health care research resulting in billions of dollars in investments, the attraction of talented students and the creation of thousands of jobs. To read the full story click here. Writer: Jeff Syroney Source: Kentucky Enquirer

CinciMedia, 3D tech, and the Pride of Cincinnati

By Andy Erickson

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Entrepreneurship

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January 6, 2009

What do Lithuania, a local university, and a poorly thrown Frisbee have in common? Find out what Karl Treier had in mind as he took the reins of CinciMedia, and as CEO, relocated its headquarters here.

Huff realtor recognized as Good Neighbor

By Newsroom

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Development News

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December 9, 2008

Rebecca Weber, a realtor with HUFF Realty's Fort Mitchell office, has received the Good Neighbor Award from the Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors (NKAR). The award, presented at the NKAR's annual awards dinner, recognizes real estate professionals who have made a commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities.Weber was chosen for her contributions to several committees and real estate development projects in Covington, where she is active in promoting the revival of urban neighborhoods, encouraging the economic development and revitalization of "Main Street" businesses, and working to insure historic preservation and conservation of endangered buildings and homes. She plays an integral part in Covington's strategic planning process, serving on the Transportation and Home Ownership committees, the Brent Spence Bridge Advisory Committee and Renaissance Covington, in addition to Residents of Mainstrasse Association. Weber also supports the Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington – where she is a past Board member – assisting them with housing initiatives aimed at helping families grow and thrive in the city."Rebecca's endless energy and personal commitment to the City of Covington is incredible," says Joy Amann, manager of HUFF's Fort Mitchell office. "She is an advocate of the highest order, dedicated to community organizations that improve the quality of life for Covington's residents."Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Deanna Hengge, director of marketing, Huff Realty Photography provided by Rebecca Weber

The Rusty Griswolds belt out tunes from the 80s at the first Rusty Ball

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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December 9, 2008

The Rusty Griswolds are a wildly popular local 80s cover band with a big heart.On November 22, The Griswolds rocked out for an energetic crowd at the first Rusty Ball, held in the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. And this show did more than bring back big hair (which none of The Griswolds actually have). The Rusty Ball was a charity event, staged by The Griswolds themselves, who even footed much of the bill to put it on. With their talent and a decade’s worth of music to draw on, The Griswolds raised money for nearly 60 charities, from ticket sales, corporate donations and auctions held during the show. Attendees could choose which charities their money went to. After the success of the first Rusty Ball, “members of the band have already been approached by many local companies who are pledging donations for next year's event,” says Brian Keenan, Co-Founder of Openfield Creative, who designed the website and consulted with The Griswolds with creatively marketing the event.“We were looking for a creative project of our own,” Keenan says. “When we heard this idea float by, we jumped on it.”The Rusty Ball benefited from additional support from Give Back Cincinnati, Duke Energy, Derf Magazine and Frost Brown Todd, LLC, among others.

Choosing Independently

By Rene Brunelle

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Diversity

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December 2, 2008

Whether it’s shopping for gifts, updating your wardrobe or choosing a great spot to dine, Cincinnati offers an ever-increasing choice of independent businesses that help citizens reengage with the social fabric of their community.