Toyota energizes NKY economy with expansion of Georgetown plant
Northern Kentucky continues to grow as an international hub of automotive production, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.
Florence
Perhaps better known than the Florence Mall itself — one of the Tristate's largest retail centers — is the "Florence Y'all" tower visible from I-75. The tower was originally erected for advertising purposes, but highway regulations mandated it be changed and the new welcome message took hold with residents. Florence is the second-largest city in Northern Kentucky and one of the fastest growing in the state. A number of industrial employers are headquartered here alongside myriad hotels, restaurants and retailers that benefit from interstate and airport access as well as the city's favorable tax policies. Fun is Florence's other stock-in-trade. The city is home to the Florence Freedom independent baseball team, Florence Family Aquatic Center, Ollie's Skatepark and a full community calendar of events that include classes and workshops, Veterans Day parade, Halloween Night Out and annual lighting of the community Christmas tree.
Northern Kentucky recognizes 2013 Thoroughbreds
Twenty-four new companies and expansion projects in 2012 are projected to create nearly 6000 jobs in Northern Kentucky and add $438M in value to the region's economy. Tri-ED's annual report shares more about these engines of growth.
Legion Logistics adds 24 employees, $1M investment
A company that began in a Union, KY basement is expanding, adding 24 jobs and a $1 million investment to the region. It's the second expansion in just one year for Legion Logistics, which moved to its current facility in Florence in March 2012. Last year, Legion tripled its workforce. This expansion will more than double it, and add 2500 square feet to its existing space to meet growing customer demand. Legion was founded in 2009 by Tony Coutsoftides, a service-disabled veteran who immigrated to the U.S. from Cyprus when he was 16 years old to pursue a career in the military. After his injury, he translated his skill and experience in military logistics into an innovative customer service-based business that filled a need in the market. "Our mission is to be the best service provider we can be," says Lacy Starling, president of Legion Logistics. "That means providing our customers with seamless solutions, working with carriers to be ethical … [and] creating a work environment where people feel ownership, understand what their work means, are part of the goal-setting process, and are excited to come to work every day." Starling credits a supportive environment for business growth for Legion's decision to stay in Northern Kentucky. "We had options when we looked to move out of the house," Starling says. "It was a question of: Where do we feel at home in the community? Where have we been accepted and welcomed? Whenever we reach out to the Northern Kentucky community, we're referred to folks who are willing to just bend over backward to help you … and are willing to help you tap into their networks." Legion's expansion was aided by the Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) program. To encourage the investment and job creation in Northern Kentucky, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $300,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets. Coutsoftides, Starling and their employees have collaboratively set aggressive goals for the company's growth this year, so Northern Kentucky can look to Legion for more good news in the future. "Our recruiting staff is sort of bleeding from the eyes right now, but when your employees set those goals and are involved in the process, they put in the extra time and effort to make it happen," Starling says. "I believe 100% that my employees can accomplish anything they put their mind to. I have no doubt that we're going to get there."
Florence partners with Boost
The city of Florence has signed on as the first strategic partner in Northern Kentucky Tri-ED's NKY Boost program. Joshua Wice, Florence's economic development director, said the goal is to meet with primary industry companies to find out what the city can do to help them grow or remain profitable, reports the Cincinnati Enquirer: "From a city standpoint, we've been looking at a formal business retention and expansion program for a few years," Wice said. "We participate on the Economic Competitiveness Working Group through Vision 2015, which is kind of an economic development roundtable. Through those discussions the issue of a formal business development program for the entire region really became a top priority." Read the full story here.
American beauty: L’Oreal expands in Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky plays a growing part in the competitive global beauty business as cosmetics giant L'Oreal expands its Florence-based manufacturing plant and doubles its local workforce.
L’Oreal USA expands, adds 200 jobs
L'Oreal USA's Northern Kentucky plant is doubling in size and creating 200 new jobs, the company announced this month. The $42 million expansion was made possible in part by $5 million in tax incentives from the Kentucky Business Investment Program. "L'Oreal’s business is growing globally, and the expansion will enable us to meet increased consumer demand for the popular hair care brands we are producing in Kentucky," said Eric Wolff, plant manager, in a press release. "The Florence plant is a center of manufacturing excellence for the L'Oreal Group, and the decision to expand US production here will result in significant economic benefit for Kentuckians." The expansion reflects the continued growth of Kentucky's foreign direct investment (FDI). The Commonwealth is now home to more than 420 foreign-owned companies from 30 nations, employing nearly 78,000 people. European-owned companies represent a large portion of that FDI, with approximately 180 companies that employ nearly 26,600 people. Read the full story here.
St. Elizabeth brings Mayo Clinic care to NKY
Northern Kentucky is now connected to one of the country's top hospitals. St. Elizabeth Healthcare is partnering with the Mayo Clinic as a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The network, which is just over a year old, allows St. Elizabeth specialists to consult with Mayo Clinic specialists through electronic collaboration and information sharing tools. That means St. Elizabeth patients receive the expert care of the Mayo Clinic at no extra cost, without having to travel outside the region. "We've always been very focused on quality and how to improve the patient experience," says John Dubis, CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. "After health care reform, we thought it was important to connect with other like-minded organizations that could take that focus on quality even further." St. Elizabeth is the first healthcare system in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky to join the Mayo Clinic Care Network, and the tenth member of the network nationwide. In Greater Cincinnati, St. Elizabeth will be the exclusive member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Dubis expects the partnership to raise the bar for patient care in the tri-state region. "Because of the collaboration that we'll have with Mayo to consult with experts on all cases, particularly the most difficult cases, it will improve patient outcomes greatly," he says. The presence of a Mayo Clinic Care Network in the region should be a boon for businesses, too. "Great education, great health care, and great transportation are three things businesses look for, and while we've been very attractive in terms of health care needs, I believe this will be an extra incentive for businesses to locate in Northern Kentucky," Dubis says. Learn more about St. Elizabeth's membership in the Mayo Clinic Care Network here.
Region’s leaders gather to celebrate 25 years of Tri-ED
In 1987, no one knew if fledgling efforts to bring together Kentucky's northern counties would succeed. Twenty-five years later, a region gathered at Northern Kentucky University for a brief look back - and an aggressive look forward.
High-tech, health care will grow jobs in NKY through 2020
The Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky region ranks in the top 5 in terms of expected total employment by 2020. We take a close look at the 2020 Jobs Outlook report and discuss what's needed for NKY to realize its potential for growth.
Driving development in Northern Kentucky
With roots in the community and an eye on the horizon, developers drive growth in Northern Kentucky. We spoke with community leaders and real estate professionals about their perspective on development in the region.
