NKY Thrives

NKY thrives is created and managed in partnership by Soapbox Cincinnati, a publication founded in 2008 to serve the Cincinnati region by Issue Media Group (IMG). IMG publications are supported by underwriting and partnerships with local businesses, civic institutions, community funds, nonprofits and foundations that support and expand our coverage of community and economic development, social innovation, city building and place making. Learn more about our underwriting policy here and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here. Tips, story ideas or feedback? If you have a tip or suggestion for us, please contact editor@soapboxmedia.com.

NKY job gains double Vision 2015 goal

By Newsroom

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General

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September 15, 2009

Northern Kentucky gained 3,158 net new primary jobs in 2008, more than double the Vision 2015 goal of adding 1,430 new primary jobs per year. “This is good news—even more than we expected. Our hope is that secondary and tertiary jobs will follow,” Dan Tobergte, President/CEO of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED and key Vision 2015 leader, said. These desirable jobs generated $2.29 million in Northern Kentucky local payroll taxes, underscoring their impact on local economies. Primary jobs are higher-skill, higher-pay jobs in twelve key industries. The average salaries of these new jobs top $72,000 per year. The figure includes 2,092 jobs in the Management of Companies sector; 2008 marks the seventh consecutive year that Northern Kentucky has posted gains in this sector. Tobergte credits the new office of Fidelity Investments in Covington with a significant portion of the job gains. Other expansions and start-ups include Jacobs Automation, Andrews Electronics, PHD Diagnostics, ASTAR Air Cargo, and DHL Express USA. The increase in this type of job reflects Vision 2015’s success in meeting its job-growth goals. Vision 2015 is Northern Kentucky’s 10-year strategic plan, using economic growth as a catalyst for regional transformation. Policom Corporation, an independent economic research firm, posted the new jobs data in its 2008 Economic Development Performance Evaluation. The report included data from the nine-county Northern Kentucky region. Writer: Elena StevensonSources: Dan Tobergte, President/CEO Northern Kentucky Tri-ED; Northern Kentucky Tri-Ed

Crestview Hills resident nominated as Congressional ‘Angel in Adoption’

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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September 15, 2009

Crestview Hills resident Terry Winterberg has been nominated by Congressman Geoff Davis as an 'Angel in Adoption' for her exceptional work as an adoption champion. Over her 32-year career, Winterberg has worked on all sides of the adoption issue and has worked exceptionally hard to address post-adoption related concerns. Winterberg has also spent 11 years working with the Catholic Charities in Texas and in Northern Kentucky as an Adoption Specialist with Catholic Charities where she has been for 21 years. Read full article here.

Tunnel project underway in Northern Kentucky

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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September 15, 2009

A six-mile long, $109.4 million tunnel will be dug 300 feet underground in Northern Kentucky to carry sewage across western Boone County to a new treatment plant near the Ohio River. The massive public project is being overseen by the Sanitation District No. 1 of Northern Kentucky and will take place over the next 12 to 18 months. By 2013, both the new $69.2 million treatment plant and $109.4 million tunnel should be complete and operational. Read full article here.

Esprit de Corps

By Rick Bird

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Talent

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September 15, 2009

Out of work and making and making a difference. That’s what some unemployed and retired business people are doing, getting involved with one of the region’s most unique business service organziations - a nonprofit that uses local executive talent to help other nonprofits. And there are plenty that could use the help with over 10,731 501(c) organizations in the region.

Planning begins for new Covington Neighborhood Summit

By Newsroom

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Development News

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September 15, 2009

Covington's 19 neighborhood associations and roughly 2,000 members have been growing and expanding their reach over recent years. The groups have been collaborating through as possible to make the best use of limited funds that they receive for their neighborhoods. Rachel Hastings, director of Neighborhood and Housing Initiatives with the Center for Great Neighborhoods, says that more can be done though. "Folks from all over Covington are looking for ways to come together, celebrate successes, and learn from one another," said Hastings. It is the Covington Neighborhood Summit that intends to do just that for everyone interested. Early successes from the neighborhood associations include the Covington Resident Handbook that is used heavily by Realtors and produces about 10,000 copies once every two years. The somewhat regular meetings have also led to the cross-polination of ideas amongst different neighborhood associations. "Neighborhood associations will be able to learn how to get new members, learn new leadership practices, and how to make the best use of scarce resources," said Hastings about the opportunities that will be available at the upcoming summit. The Covington Neighborhood Summit is currently in the planning stages, but is scheduled to take place in mid-January 2010 at the old St. Elizabeth North building. The first planning meeting is taking place today at 5:30pm with more to come down the road. "We hope to create a fun social gathering that is a lot of fun," said Hastings. "It's all about fostering that great community spirit that exists here in Covington." Hastings notes that a Facebook Page is currently being developed and that event organizers are working with the Covington Youth Commission to get young people involved in the Summit. Expected to last about five to six hours, the Summit will be flexible for a variety of work schedules and encourage people to come and go as they are able. To learn more about the Summit, or to learn how you can get involved with the planning process, contact Rachel Hastings at the Center for Great Neighborhoods at (859) 866-7527. Writer: Randy A. Simes Photography by Scott Beseler Stay connected and follow Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy

New NKY Chamber chair to facilitate solutions, growth

By Newsroom

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General

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September 8, 2009

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce named Gary Beatrice its new Chairman of the Board on August 28. “Gary has been actively engaged and serving in leadership positions in our organization for more than 16 years. He has a strong interest in….the continued economic recovery of our region and brings a wealth of experience to one of the highest priority areas of our members—healthcare,” said Steve Stevens, president of the Northern Kentucky Chamber. Beatrice is president of Ft. Mitchell-based Business Benefits, a consultancy that helps local employers secure cost-effective group insurance plans. For the past 15 years, he’s advised Kentucky government and business leaders on health insurance and healthcare reform. But sustainable benefits are just one aspect of Beatrice’s vision for the Northern Kentucky Chamber. “I see the Chamber fulfilling the role of problem solver in the business community. That seems appropriate in light of today’s economic environment,” said Beatrice. The three priorities he has set for the Northern Kentucky Chamber stem from organic needs he has observed. “First, we should be a resource for entrepreneurs. We have a board member who recently started a business, and knew his field, but still needed help with licensure and equipment.” Beatrice would like to see the Chamber build its reputation as a hub for practical resources. His plans also include a summit on innovative opportunities in Northern Kentucky, and resources targeted to the needs of women entrepreneurs. Beatrice recognizes the critical role of passion in getting things done. “A few years ago, the Chamber was part of a Northern Kentucky Education Summit, and many of those projects are still active today.” He looks forward to collaborating with regional organizations on both sides of the river toward common goals: growth, jobs, and business solutions. Writer: Elena StevensonSource: Gary Beatrice, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, www.businessbenefits.com

No time for phones? Chat live with the NKY Chamber

By Newsroom

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General

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September 8, 2009

Every day there seem to be tens of tiny attacks on your time, from work to family and volunteer obligations. So anything that can make communication quicker and more efficient – especially when it comes to work – has got to be a plus, right? That’s one reason why the Northern Kentucky Chamber has started using live chat technology via their Web site . Anyone who has questions for the chamber staff can now hop online and get the answer. The Northern Kentucky Chamber is one of the country’s first to use this growing technology. “As a progressive Chamber of Commerce, we are excited to be on the forefront of technological advances by incorporating “Live Chat” into our website,” said Sandra Guile, Manager, Media Relations and Communications. “This service provides instantaneous communication, offering our visitors personal engagement in a quick and easy medium like the Web.” To use the feature, just go to the Chamber site , look toward the top, right-hand side of the site, and push the “Click Here for LIVE Chat” button. Then a pop up box will appear. Fill in your name and a question, then someone from the chamber will be there. Enter your email in the chat pop up box and a transcript of the chat will be automatically emailed to you for later reference. “Live Chat services will revolutionize what businesses come to expect and demand from organizations that support their growth and success,” said Steve Stevens, president, Northern Kentucky Chamber. “This is just one way that we continue to fulfill our mission of Leading Businesses. Leading Communities. Providing human interaction on our website gives our Chamber a distinct advantage in servicing the tri-state business community.” Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Sandra Guile, Manager, Northern Kentucky Chamber Media Relations and Communications

Newport couple puts a new spin on an old game

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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September 8, 2009

In the age of Xbox 360, Wii and PS3 would anyone invest in Jukem Football, a home-grown card game set to launch in specialty retail stores in mid-September? Probably because it’s easy to learn, affordable, secretly educational, and most importantly – fun! Even a person who has little-to-no knowledge about football can pick up this card game in a matter of minutes. Jukem Football was created by husband and wife team Jeff and Michelle Spelman, Greater Cincinnati natives who now call Newport home. Jeff, who had a 20-year career in sports media, (and developed the game changing Team One Baseball Showcase) first created the game as a way to have fun while teaching his children to count. In Jukem Football, with some variation, players score touchdowns and field goals by arranging "catch," "pass" and "run" cards in a way that adds up exactly to 100. The game ends once players twice get through the deck. “This literally helped teach my children to count; they could count before they could read the cards,” Jeff said. Jukem Football, in which Neyer Holdings is investing, had some success in its earlier carnation as Quick Count, which was sold in area specialty retail stores just before Christmas 2007. A recent retooling that included a card redesign, and game tweaks to make it move faster with added plays, resulted in Juken Football. The game will be sold for $20 and includes two decks (one is a rookie deck for beginners). When Jukem Football debuts later this month, it will be sold in 100 stores in 14 states, said Michelle, Jukem’s Sales Manager. Among the local shops that will carry it are: King Arthur’s Court in Oakley, Ted's Toys and Trains in Madeira, and Metronation downtown. The game soon should be available for online purchase on the company’s Web site and at Amazon.com. Jukem Football was manufactured entirely in the U.S., with United States Playing Card Company in Erlanger manufacturing the game. The cards were designed locally by Fisher Design, with original artwork by local graphic artist Toby Lay. The accompanying rulebook was manufactured by a Michigan company. “It’s amazing how much talent is here,” Jeff said. The game’s appeal is that it’s relatively inexpensive and can play across generations and places. “I could see a mother and son playing this at home, or some guys out at a tailgate party,” Jeff said. Once the game enteres the marketplace, the Spelman’s plan to market it to schools, and the Big Dream is that a NFL licensing agreement could pan out. It’s not a far-fetched idea since the couple is working with Steve Boord, Managing Director of Merchant Banking at Neyer Holdings Co. who has a background in licensing, including the monster Star Wars agreements. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSources: Jeff Spelman, Michelle Spelman co-creators of Jukem Football

Woman stands 51 hours to win car

By Newsroom

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Cincy In The News

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September 8, 2009

More than 51 hours of standing attached to a car on Fountain Square is what it took for a Cincinnati area woman to win a new Kia Sol as part of a radio station contest. Kim Murphy of Newport, Kentucky outlasted 19 other people in the contest that required contestants to keep their hands on the car for as long as possible. Murphy won when the final opponent lifted their hand off the vehicle during a conversation. In addition to the one-year lease on the 2010 Kia Sol, Murphy also won a new Nokia 500 smart phone and a front row seat to Riverfest 2009. Read full article here.

Hundreds of thousands enjoy Riverfest 2009

By Newsroom

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Arts + Culture

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September 8, 2009

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