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.

Six NKY companies make the Inc. 5000

By Newsroom

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Business + Innovation

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September 28, 2012

It's a sign of Northern Kentucky's accelerating growth and potential: Six Northern Kentucky-based companies have been recognized among the fastest-growing private companies in America by the 2012 Inc. 5000. NKY is the proud home of 2012 Inc. 5000 companies The Eisen Agency, TiER1 Performance Solutions, Omega Processing Solutions, Lohmann Technologies, Parkway Products, and RWI Transportation. The list, compiled by Inc. Magazine, is ranked according to revenue and percentage growth over a four-year period. "We congratulate these companies and their leadership teams on their success and growth," says Karen Finan, senior vice president, Northern Kentucky Tri-ED. "They have contributed much to Northern Kentucky's thriving and diverse business community." Year after year, more Kentucky-based companies are making the list, which maps the vitality of the nation's independent entrepreneurs. In 2012, 47 Kentucky-based companies made the list, up from 46 in 2011 and 44 in 2010. Inc. 5000 companies map the vitality brought to the nation's economy by independent entrepreneurs. The median growth rate of 2012 Inc. 500 / 5000 companies is an impressive 97 percent, and its honorees have created over 400,000 jobs in the past three years. Aggregate revenue among Inc. 5000 companies tops $299 billion. See a complete list of all the Kentucky companies on the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry and other criteria, here.

What’s driving NKY forward?

By Amy Elliott Bragg

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Business + Innovation

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August 24, 2012

Is it the infrastructure? The riverfront? The workforce? The tax incentives? Or something even more fundamental? Long-time NKY movers, shakers, supporters and leaders share insights on the region's success.

Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati make Top 50 Cities for Global Trade

By Newsroom

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Business + Innovation

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August 24, 2012

In Global Trade's Top 50 Cities, Northern Kentucky / Greater Cincinnati region ranks number 16 -- and boasts the best cost structure on the list, ranking as the least-costly metropolitan area for businesses in the U.S. Low rates for facility leasing, transportation and property taxes contribute to the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati region's competitive ranking. Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati have a business cost index 4.1% under the U.S national baseline of 100. The region also offers proximity to consumers, suppliers and competitors, along with access to major ports on the Ohio River, five airports and three interstate highways. Read more here.

LeanCor Supply Chain Group expanding operations to China

By Newsroom

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General

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August 24, 2012

Third party logistics provider LeanCor Supply Chain Group, based in Northern Kentucky, is expanding its operations to the Chinese market. The firm will launch its logistics services as well as training and education to support both Chinese and American companies with logistics, infrastructure and academic needs. Currently, the logistics market in China has presented challenges with rising logistics costs and long lead times. LeanCor will capitalize on logistics market growth opportunities in trends such as the movement of manufacturing hubs to the West and increased logistics outsourcing. Read more in this press release from LeanCor.

Two Tri-ED projects contribute to KY’s 2012 Silver Shovel Award

By Newsroom

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Business + Innovation

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August 24, 2012

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has received a 2012 Silver Shovel Award from Area Development magazine -- thanks in part to projects spearheaded by Northern Kentucky Tri-ED. Gold and Silver Shovel awards are granted each year to the states that were most successful in creating jobs and securing investments. In 2011, two of the 10 projects submitted by the Commonwealth of Kentucky were significant expansions in Northern Kentucky: Mubea's expansion at its Kenton County/Elsmere Stabilizer Bars facility, an investment of $46.8 million that will create 182 jobs; and Eagle Manufacturing-Linamar's expansion in Florence, an investment of $40.8 million that will create 138 jobs. The award reflects Northern Kentucky's excellence in facilitating the region's readiness to grow. "In the cases of both of these expansions, these were sites that had been vetted," says David Smith, Director of Development, Duke Energy, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy, through its Foundation, offers matching grants to help communities with site selection and readiness, removing barriers such as environmental surveys and zoning changes for relocating and expanding companies. "When a company is ready to make a decision to expand, to grow, or to locate, as much time as you can remove from the equation makes it easier for them to make that decision." Smith credits Tri-ED with a progressive vision for the community. "Tri-ED is very forward-thinking," Smith says. "They understand this process, and they really approach this in the right way. They're providing a lot of leadership to make this happen." The award also testifies to the growing strength of advanced manufacturing in Northern Kentucky, specifically in the automotive sector. Both Mubea and Eagle Manufacturing-Linamar supply components for the automotive industry. And in 2011, the majority of the $384 million in capital investment in the region -- the fourth highest level in Tri-ED's 25-year history -- came from manufacturing companies.

Healthwarehouse.com CEO navigates fast growth in online pharmacy

By Newsroom

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Business + Innovation

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May 25, 2012

Lalit Dhadphale, CEO of HealthWarehouse.com, believes his Florence-based firm is poised to capitalize on an upcoming wave of generic medication releases as brand-name drugs worth more than $200 billion a year in sales lose patent protection between now and 2015. But will the public accept HealthWarehouse.com as a legitimate bargain, and not a home for spammers and scammers? Read more in the full story.

Internet medicine could cut pricing

By Amanda Van Benschoten

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Business + Innovation

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April 27, 2012

Northern Kentucky-based HealthWarehouse.com, which sells generic prescription drugs at lower prices than brick-and-mortar competitors, is growing rapidly. Revenues are roughly doubling every year and reached $10 million last year. In July, the company moved to a 28,000-square-foot warehouse in Florence and doubled its workforce to 60 employees. In a time when health care costs are rising rapidly -- despite a down economy -- HealthWarehouse.com aims to become “the Amazon.com of the pharmaceutical industry” and revolutionize the industry. Read the full story here.

Office and tech sites for your business expansion

By Northern Kentucky Tri-ED

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Business + Innovation

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March 30, 2012

Looking for the next office/tech site for your business expansion? Northern Kentucky is surrounding your company with the perfect business environment. Review a sampling of available sites.

Drive: Northern Kentucky at the heart of the auto industry

By Amy Elliott

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Business + Innovation

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December 16, 2011

Even geographically, Northern Kentucky is at the center of the U.S. auto industry. And with unparalleled resources in infrastructure, logistics, workforce and government support, automotive manufacturing is the engine of the local economy.

Committed to Northern Kentucky

By Amy Elliott

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General

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September 30, 2011

Education. Transportation. Regional cooperation. Four business leaders speak out about Northern Kentucky's unique opportunities, challenges, and potential for growth.