Northern MARKET REVIEW 2020

Vibrant Growth Unique innovation, lively tourism, savvy leaders, geographic advantages attract jobs and new residents

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27. 28. 30. 31. 1. Ark Encounter 2. General James Taylor Park 3. BB Riverboats 4. Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar 5. Purple Poulet 6. Boone County Distilling 7. Frida 602 8. Coppin’s at Hotel Covington 9. Braxton Brewing Company 10. Roebling Bridge 11. Greyhound Tavern 12. Roebling Bridge 13. Newberry Bros. CoŒee & Prohibition Bourbon Bar 14. Ark Encounter 15. Creation Museum 16. Newport Aquarium 17. Newport Aquarium 18. Zoo & Botanical Garden 19. Smoke Justis 20. New RiŒ Distilling 21. Hofbrauhaus Newport 22. Madison Avenue, Covington 23. BB Riverboats 24. Florence Y’all Water Tower 25. Otto’s 26. Carabello CoŒee 27. Rabbit Hash General Store 28. Mainstrasse Village 29. Ark Encounter 30. The GruŒ 31. Devou Park #makeitNKY

meetNKY.com Northern Kentucky

MARKET REVIEW 2020

Business & Professional Services...... 53 Table of Contents Legal Services...... 56 People & Places...... 4 Education...... 58 NKY CVB (meetNKY)...... 10 Made in NKY...... 60 ON THE COVER: The brightly lit John A. Roebling Cover Story...... 12 Headquarters...... 64 Suspension Bridge is an iconic Northern Kentucky Tourism...... 18 Utilities...... 66 landmark. It connects Cincinnati with Covington, and when it opened to traffic on January 1, 1867, Arts & Culture...... 22 Sports & Recreation...... 68 its 1,057-foot span made it the longest suspension Collaboration...... 24 bridge in the world. The record was broken in 1883 Growing Together...... 28 COUNTY BY COUNTY DATA when Roebling’s most famous project, the Brooklyn Demographics...... 29 Boone County...... 70 Bridge, opened. Construction Campbell County...... 70 (sponsored by Hemmer)...... 30 Gallatin County...... 71 Published by Real Estate Grant County...... 71 (sponsored by Corporex)...... 34 Kenton County...... 72 Logistics & Transportation...... 38 Pendleton County...... 72 Health Care Hamilton County...... 73 Northern Kentucky Market Review is (sponsored by St. Elizabeth)...... 44 Clermont County...... 73 a community profile published annually Financial Services...... 48 by Lane Communications Group.

Market Review Editor Publishers Marketing Consultants Design & Production LORIE HAILEY BRETT LANE CURTISS SMITH STONE ADVISORY MEREDITH LANE FERGUSON KRISTINA DAHL Executive Editor Pre-press & Printing MARK GREEN Chief Operations Officer Creative Director LSC COMMUNICATIONS NICOLE CONYERS WHITE JESSICA MERRIMAN Director of Digital Media Founder JONATHAN MILLER Associate Publisher IT Services ED LANE HAL MOSS ADVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES 1985-2015 Circulation/IT JOSIAH WHITE

Northern Kentucky Market Review is a community profile published Data in Northern Kentucky Market Review have been provided by many local state and by Lane Communications Group. For information and advertising rates, federal agencies, including Tri-ED, NKY Chamber, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic contact Lane Communications Group, 601 West Short Street, Lexington, KY 40508, Development and the Kentucky State Data Center. All data are believed Voice: (859) 244-3500, Fax: (859) 244-3555, lanereport.com to be accurate and current, but are not warranted by Lane Communications Group.

© 2020 Lane Communications Group. All material in this publication is protected under applicable copyright laws. Reprinting or using any materials from Northern Kentucky Market Review is prohibited without express written consent by the publisher.

2 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com pBEST OF ALL WORLDS Northern Kentucky offers an unrivaled quality of life that blends urban, suburban and rural amenities to suit every lifestyle. NKY is the third-largest metropolitan area in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky continues to grow and thrive

Thank you for picking up a copy of The Lane Report’s 2020 Northern Kentucky Market Review. We are delighted to share the stories that convey what the Northern Kentucky region has to offer as a superb quality of life for residents and visitors, as well as a robust and spirited business economy.

This year’s major announcements across the entire region showcase a destination that continues to grow and become even more engaging and memorable. From the groundbreaking of a major music venue along the Newport riverfront in the Ovation development, to Churchill Downs’ announcement of a major investment at Turfway Park, the complete renaissance of Newport on the Levee, and the new Amazon development in Boone County, Northern Kentucky will continue to thrive for a long time to come.

As meetNKY | Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau wraps up its 45th year of promoting our unique three-county destination, our collaborations with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Northern Kentucky Tri- Ed, CVG International Airport, Corporex and all Northern Kentucky partners make this vibrant destination a memorable one to visit, live and invest. Photo by Brian Douglas We hope you enjoy this edition of Market Review. Feel free to reach out to us at meetNKY anytime, whether you are enjoying your first sip of southern hospitality or planning your next meeting, convention or event in Northern Kentucky.

Eric Summe, CDME President & CEO, meetNKY

meetNKY | Northern Kentucky CVB 50 East RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 200 pCOLORFUL CREATIONS BLINK, a four-day light and art show, Covington, KY 41011 extended from Cincinnati into about 10 blocks of northern Covington in October 2019, attracting thousands of visitors to Northern Kentucky.

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lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 3 PEOPLE & PLACES

Dynamic destination Northern Kentucky has it all – small-town charm and urban allure

tB-LINE TIME Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar in the charming, historic Mainstrasse Village in Covington is a stop on The B-Line, an experience centered around NKY’s bourbon offerings. The bar has more than 600 bottles of bourbon and whiskey.

qBOXES OF SMILES Associates from Amazon’s Hebron fulfillment centers presented a special holiday gift – 2,000 “Boxes of Smiles” – to Bethany House Services, a Northern Kentucky nonprofit organization that helps the homeless and at-risk families. The special delivery included winter essentials and festive gifts such as books, toys and electronics. Photo by Leigh Taylor Photography Taylor Photo by Leigh

4 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com pNEWLY RESTORED Libby’s Southern Comfort, in the heart of the Duveneck Square

Photo by SOURCE Cincinnati area of Covington, is one of Northern Kentucky’s newest spots for southern cuisine and refreshing cocktails. The popular bar/eatery is located in the historic former home of Dixie Wholesale Grocery. Its restored atmosphere gives it a cool, modern- industrial vibe but with the comforts of home.

tGOTHIC ARCHITECTURE Northern Kentucky is an area steeped in Germanic culture, from the storybook look and feel of Covington’s MainStrasse Village to the rich detail in the German pGOLDEN ARCHES The stained-glass windows at the stunning St. Mary’s Bridge, a twin-span, steel bowstring arch bridge Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. crossing the River in Cincinnati, is known locally as the Big Mac Bridge because of its similarity to the McDonald’s “Golden Arches” logo. It carries Interstate 471 between Cincinnati and Newport. Photo courtesy of NKU

pART AND LIGHT The BLINK Cincinnati festival provided opportunities to interact with the art installations.

tTHRIVING SUBURBAN CAMPUS Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights has more than 14,000 students and over 2,000 faculty and staff. Located just seven miles southeast of Cincinnati, NKU is one of the fastest-growing universities in Kentucky. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 5 PEOPLE & PLACES

pFUN DISHES Paul Wechman, the owner of Otto’s Restaurant, sits with his family in front of the Covington Mainstrasse eatery. The restaurant serves American and southern-inspired fare.

tBASEBALL LEGACY The are recognized as first official professional baseball team. The first game was played in 1869, when the team was still called the Red Stockings. More than 1.8 million fans attended games at during the 2019 season. Photo courtesy of SOURCE Cincinnati tSUPPORTING EQUALITY Volunteers with Northern Kentucky Fairness painted two Covington crosswalks to look like the Rainbow Flag, commonly known as the gay pride flag.

uCONNECTED COMMUNITY Cincinnati Red Bike, a public transportation system with more than 500 bikes, has 12 stations in Northern

Photo courtesy of City Covington Kentucky.

pOLD WORLD AMBIANCE in Over-the-Rhine, overlooking Washington Park, is home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet and several other local performing arts organizations. It was built in 1878 and is considered one of the most acoustically perfect performance venues in the world.

tFIREWORKS FUN For more than 40 years, regional tourists and residents have enjoyed a spectacular Labor Day weekend fireworks show at an end-of- summer event that draws hundreds of thousands of revelers. On both sides of the river, nearly a half-million people view the WEBN Fireworks show. pPEDESTRIAN CROSSING Residents and visitors alike use the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge to walk back and forth between Covington and

Photo courtesy of City Covington Cincinnati. pFRIENDLY COMPETITION About tSTRIKING SKYLINE The 60 people participated in Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge in the 5th Annual Badminton Covington is a notable fixture Brawl, hosted by Hub+Weber of the Northern Kentucky Architects, outside the skyline. It was completed firm’s offices at Pike and in 2008 and houses luxury Russell streets in downtown residences. Covington. The architecture firm is located in the former qLANDMARK VIEW Covington Station building. The iconic John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, which tART INFUSION opened to traffic in January “Around the Corner,” a mural 1867, connects Covington installation by the Brooklyn- and Cincinnati and was a based collective known as prototype for the celebrated FAILE, covers the rear walls of Brooklyn Bridge. The river two buildings on the corner crossing was designated a of 6th Street and Madison National Historic Landmark Avenue in Covington. During in 1975 and a National the BLINK festival, the murals Historic Civil Engineering take on new life in bright Landmark in 1983.

lights and colors. Photo courtesy of Source Cincinnati PEOPLE & PLACES

uSPECTACULAR VIEWS The Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati riverfront is a major tourism draw and economic driver.

qPEDESTRIAN CROSSING A converted rail and motor vehicle structure, the popular “Purple People Bridge”offers spectacular pedestrian connectivity across the between Newport and . It is 2,670 feet long. Photo courtesy of Newport Aquarium Photo courtesy of Newport pMEET AND GREET Sharing the message of ocean conservation, mermaids make a yearly visit to Newport Aquarium, where they interact with guests and swim along the aquarium’s 30-ft., 60,000-gallon “Coral Reef Tunnel.” It’s a tradition families look forward to every year, says Eric Rose, executive director of the aquarium.

tOASIS OF ENTERTAINMENT Smale Riverfront Park is 45 acres of urban green space along the riverfront between Great American Ball Park and . It offers entertainment for all ages – from porch swings and river views to interactive fountains and a giant foot piano. Photo courtesy of Regional Tourism Network Tourism Photo courtesy of Regional

tPHOTO OP To celebrate the team’s 150th anniversary in 2019, the Cincinnati Reds placed sculpture benches featuring mascot Mr. Redlegs at two spots in Covington: at Devou Park (pictured) and Riverside Drive. Twenty-three other

Photo courtesy of City Covington benches were placed throughout Cincinnati.

uVILLAGE VISTA Goebel Park in Covington’s MainStrasse Village is best known for its iconic German-style Carroll Chimes Clock Tower, which displays a charming mechanical puppet show of the Pied Piper on the hour, April through Network Tourism Photo courtesy of Regional December. The park also has a public pool and playground, picnic shelters, and a walking trail, among other amenities.

8 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com

MEETNKY Experience unique Northern Kentucky From bourbon to unconventional attractions and riverfront fun, amazing experiences await

tUNFORGETTABLE VIEWS Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati offer numerous outdoor activities within 15 minutes of downtown, including a sightseeing adventure along the river on a BB Riverboats cruise.

USS Nightmare: Built on a retired working steamboat, the USS Nightmare in Newport is 288 feet long and houses the river’s most notorious spirits. Step aboard and step back in time to tour this one- of-a-kind haunted house and experience firsthand why the William S. Mitchell’s crew called the old boat “the Death Dredge.” Each Halloween season brings

Photo courtesy of ALIAS IMAGING new twists to the haunted tour as fright seekers meander through the eerie rooms and corridors of the massive old boat. Riverside Food Tours, Covington: Riverside Food Tours is a walking tour of MainStrasse Village, a 19th-century German neighborhood with unique shops and galleries, restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues. Creation Museum and Answers in N Northern Kentucky (NKY), the With so much to see and do Genesis: A walk through the pages of the South quite literally begins at our front in Northern Kentucky and the Bible... explore scripture’s account of the door. In fact, when you hear “Welcome Cincinnati region – from stunning beginning of all things in a state-of-the- Ito NKY,” that also means “Welcome golf courses, professional sports and art 70,000-s.f. museum designed by a to the South”… where life is easier water and amusement parks, to world- former Universal Studios exhibit director. and the real soul of hospitality begins. renowned museums, historic sites and It also features the Screaming Raptor Find the Unbridled Spirit of Kentucky a vibrant performing arts scene – your Zip Lines. on display every day here – from the hardest decision will be where to start Ark Encounter: Located in bourbon heritage of regional distilleries to first. There are some seriously unique Williamstown, the Ark Encounter thoroughbred horse racing, paddlewheel experiences to take advantage of while in features a full-size replica of Noah’s Ark. riverboats and chef-inspired farm-to-table NKY. Here’s a few: Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and dining. World Peace Bell: The largest free- 51 feet high, this modern engineering Our unique style of South is what swinging bell in the world, weighing marvel amazes visitors young and old. shines through ... and in NKY, the South 66,000 pounds, the World Peace Bell in Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs: In 1989, is infused with a bit of German fusion Newport was crafted to be rung on the Donna Salyers started selling women’s and a whole lot of sass. Enjoy a plate of first International Day of Peace in 2000. coats, jackets, apparel, accessories, home fried green tomatoes washed down with Purple People Bridge: This Ohio goods and footwear. Fabulous Furs in a fine, locally brewed Hefeweizen or River pedestrian-only bridge, one of only Covington sells faux furs and animal discover NKY’s notorious gangster-run a few in the U.S., crosses from the south print products. Available in 46 countries, past while watching the Cincinnati Reds bank of Cincinnati to the north bank of Fabulous Furs products have celebrity play baseball on a bustling riverfront. Newport. Built in 1872, the bridge was status and international appeal, appearing in beautifully restored, painted purple and Sports Illustrated, featured as one of Oprah’s reopened in 2003, providing breathtaking Favorite Things, showcased on Broadway About meetNKY views of the Ohio riverfront year-round and more. For more than 40 years, the and serving as a popular venue for a wide Vent Haven Museum: The world’s Northern Kentucky CVB (meetNKY) variety of events. only museum dedicated to the art of has provided outstanding meeting BB Riverboats: You haven’t ventriloquism, located in Fort Mitchell, and convention services and experienced Cincinnati until you step features more than 500 figures from 20 comprehensive travel information for aboard a BB Riverboats cruise. Serving countries. business and leisure visitors to the the region for more than three decades, Newport on the Levee: This Cincinnati and NKY area. Learn more BB Riverboats specializes in lunch, entertainment complex on Northern at meetNKY.com. sightseeing, and dinner cruises on the Kentucky’s riverfront offers an exceptional Ohio River. view of the Cincinnati skyline and

10 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com features a wide variety of restaurants, NKY is home to many distilleries, dish that buddies up to your taste buds shopping, seasonal festivals, lively pubs breweries, bars and restaurants that like a BFF. and clubs, live music and the Newport celebrate the spirits of Kentucky, and The Aquarium, which showcases thousands B-Line, NKY’s unique bourbon experience Conventions in NKY of animals from around the world in centered around five Kentucky Bourbon We like to think of our destination as a a million gallons of water. Don’t miss Trail Craft Tour Distilleries. Add six greenhouse ... we grow meetings here. adjacent Hofbräuhaus Newport, the first bourbon-centric bars and five amazing Meeting in NKY will take your dollar Hofbräuhaus outside of Munich. restaurants cultivating the freshest tastes in further than in any other destination. Our Roebling Suspension Bridge and bourbon culinary delights, and you’re on riverfront convention center is hassle-free murals: The beautiful John A. Roebling the The B-Line. union-free and includes free carpeted Suspension Bridge was built from 1856 The region is also home to some epic exhibit space and free wireless internet. to 1866 at a cost of $1.8 million dollars bourbon events, including Kentucky’s Hotel taxes in NKY are lower than to connect Cincinnati and Covington. It Edge, the Bacon, Bourbon and Brew those in many Midwest and southern served as an engineering prototype for the Festival, and the NKY Bourbon Festival, comparable cities. Compare Northern Brooklyn Bridge and today is a beloved just to name a few. If you’re looking Kentucky’s tax rate to Louisville’s 16.07%, regional landmark. Held each June, for more bourbon events, check out a Cincinnati’s 17.5% or ’ 17%, RoeblingFest is a day-long celebration bourbon-dedicated event calendar at and you can see how 12.36% in NKY can featuring foods from local restaurants, findyoursippingpoint.com/b-there/. save your attendees some serious cash. beverage booths, live music, an art show We’re proud of our brewing heritage, The entire staff at meetNKY looks and sale, a variety of tours that include too. The region had 36 breweries forward to showing you the inclusive Riverside Drive architecture and statues, producing more than 30 million gallons services we provide that will make your the Covington floodwall murals and the of beer in the 1800s. None of these planning experience a breeze and allow Daniel Carter Beard House. breweries survived Prohibition, but the you to focus on making your event Behringer-Crawford Museum: This number of breweries in the NKY and content nothing short of amazing. family-friendly museum in Covington Cincinnati region has more than tripled We give you the keys for planning celebrates the unique arts, heritage and in the past five years. an awesome event and work with culture of Northern Kentucky. Don’t forget about wine! The Northern you to ensure your success. Whether Newport Gangster Tours: Before there Kentucky Back Roads Wine Trail winds hosting your attendees in our riverfront was Las Vegas, there was Newport. Walk through beautiful NKY, only 30 minutes convention center, exciting arena or the streets where gangsters made their from downtown Cincinnati. It features six unique venues, you will be the focus of millions along “eight blocks of villainy” local wineries and offers a passport you attention. Our 7,000-plus hotel rooms that at one time housed casinos, brothels can have stamped at each one. will ensure your attendees are well rested, and speakeasies. Guided public tours NKY’s culinary swagger is second and our convenient access around NKY along with private/corporate tour events to none. Our booming restaurant and Cincinnati will make sure they have are available. scene boasts everything from gourmet loads of fun. l New Riff Distilling: A new riff on an hot dogs and French pot ice cream to old tradition, New Riff Distilling was Bouillabaisse. Whether you are a first- founded in 2014 and crafts a range of time visitor looking for local faves or qFUN FOR ALL A premiere entertainment destination, Newport on the Levee includes whiskeys: bourbon, rye, malted rye a bona fide Cincinnati region food everything from restaurants and bars to family and Kentucky wild gin. The Newport fan sniffing out a delectable plate of attractions and access to the Purple People Bridge attraction offers immersion in the something trendy, you’re sure to find a for an easy walk across the river to Cincinnati. bourbon experience with their distillery and warehouse tours. Across the river: Don’t forget about the Cincinnati Zoo, Great American Ball Park and the Cincinnati Reds, the , , Coney Island, Smale Riverfront

Park, Cincinnati Museum Center at Photo by SOURCE Cincinnati Union Terminal, Cincinnati Music Hall, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and more. Use all four of the beautiful bridges to walk, run, scooter, ride or bike back and forth.

Sample our spirits – and food Kentucky has a lot of nicknames, but probably one of the most popular is “Bourbon Country.” In NKY, we’re proud to be the edge of Bourbon Country, an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and home to some amazing history and distilling rebirth. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 11 COVER STORY

Photo by Ross Van Pelt Vibrant growth Unique innovation, lively tourism, savvy leaders, geographic advantages attract jobs and residents

BY LORIE HAILEY And it’s all just across the river amenities of a large city, a great education from downtown Cincinnati, “America’s system and workforce, arts and music UAINT downtowns bustling Queen City.” venues, professional sports and housing with development. Prominent “We are part of the Cincinnati metro affordability,” said Paul Verst, chairman and universities and a successful region, but at the same time, we are CEO of Verst Logistics, headquartered in Qcommunity college system. Historic Kentucky,” said Boone County Judge/ Walton. “It’s a great place to raise a family.” neighborhoods and a booming residential Executive Gary Moore. “We market Thomas Banta, managing director of real estate market. Global logistics ourselves as part of Cincinnati, but with Covington-based Corporex Companies and expertise that is driving growth and a Southern charm.” Corporex Realty & Investment, agreed. bringing more high-paying jobs. Quick When a company is considering “Northern Kentucky is an access to the best regional airport in locating in Northern Kentucky and extraordinary place,” Banta said. “It is North America. Four major league sports compares it to elsewhere, the region a vibrant, fast-changing community teams and successful high school sports “fares very well,” Moore said. featuring unique restaurants, historic programs that bring the community “We have major league sports … architecture and thriving businesses.” together. Innovative entrepreneurs and a pro soccer, pro baseball, pro football. supportive business community. Exciting We have an amazing arts and culture Innovative community riverfront development; multiple arts and community. We can sell all of that as NKY has attracted the attention of many culture venues. A cost of living that is part of Northern Kentucky because we’re large companies, but it also is bustling 4.1% below the national average. just minutes away from those things. with entrepreneurs and small businesses Northern Kentucky is one of the Yet we have lower taxes, we have a great that are inventing new products or largest urban areas in Kentucky. It is workforce and a quality community to be services and helping existing business and a thriving manufacturing center; it’s a able to market and sell. So we fare very industry leaders meet challenges in new leader in logistics, finance and technology. well in those situations.” ways. NKY has a robust entrepreneurial It has walkability, world-class restaurants, It’s why Northern Kentucky is community that connects startups and live music and a variety of craft breweries growing, he said. Nowhere else in small businesses with mentors, partners, and bourbon distilleries. It also has an Kentucky can offer that. resources and potential funders. active suburban community with great “Northern Kentucky is also a great Led by Brit Fitzpatrick, Blue North schools and shopping destinations. place to invest because it has the KY is the entrepreneurship/innovation

12 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com tCOLORFUL COVINGTON The Covington waterfront provided a colorful backdrop for the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge over the Ohio River during BLINK in 2019, one of the largest light, art and projection mapping events in the nation. It spanned more than 30 blocks in Cincinnati and crossed into Covington, turning the region into an outdoor art museum. uA CHAMBER TRADITION The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Outing at Summit Hills Country Club offers a chance for chamber members to network with clients and customers – and take fun photos. Photo courtesy of the NKY Chamber arm of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED. Blue North serves as the connector and guide for NKY’s entrepreneur network. Prior to joining the Tri-ED team, Fitzpatrick founded one of the first software-as-a- service mentoring startups and launched communities for underrepresented entrepreneurs in Tennessee. She also led through a filterable database of regional that can help solve the entrepreneurs’ the founding team at 1804 Entrepreneur resources and entrepreneurship- challenges, Fitzpatrick said. They Center in her hometown of Louisville. focused content, which we will host also offer “weekly office hours” Tri-ED was awarded $2.3 million on our website, bluenorthky.com,” sessions, which are more in-depth for in state and federal grants to grow the she said. “We’re actively launching in- entrepreneurs who want help validating NKY entrepreneurship ecosystem. house services and programs to serve their business model and who want Most recently, the agency was one of entrepreneurs of all types, at all stages.” to know the best way to build the first 44 awardees out of 183 applicants for a Blue North’s goal is to conduct 300 version of their product or service. competitive Seed Fund Support Grant meetings with entrepreneurs by June 30. “We also have a step-by-step process from the U.S. Economic Development These meetings consist of “wayfinding that helps prep these entrepreneurs for a Administration, “which will enable us sessions,” which are 30-minute meetings more formal entrepreneurship program, to help close the capital gap for NKY with Blue North’s team designed to help apply for an accelerator, or pitch for startups through a seed-stage investment entrepreneurs map out their business early investment, if that’s their goal,” fund,” Fitzpatrick said. models and identify their top three Fitzpatrick said. “Blue North is helping entrepreneurs pain points. Blue North then can help There are also office hours sessions navigate the ecosystem more easily the entrepreneurs plug into resources for branding and marketing, teaching

Photo courtesy of TANK entrepreneurs how to use technology in their businesses to scale sustainably, and creating pitch decks for those seeking outside capital. Blue North also hosts quarterly investor office hours with investors in its network who are based throughout the U.S. “We’re launching a number of events and programs in 2020 that will add value to the ecosystem, bring new innovation into our region’s larger companies, and help attract new earlier-stage companies to the region,” Fitzpatrick said. In 2018, Tri-ED created the NKY Entrepreneurship Council (NKYEC) to take a new approach to economic development that collaborates with community partners to share goals and resources. It is a collaborative of private sector leaders who have been working in different aspects of entrepreneurship

tQUICK TRIP Residents of Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati use TANK’s Southbank Shuttle to go back and forth between the communities for sporting events and other attractions. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 13 COVER STORY and innovation for many years. Later that year, Tri-ED, along with the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) Foundation and other partners, received a $750,000 RISE grant from the KY Innovation Office to help establish an innovation hub in the region, focusing on informatics, health and logistics innovation. The hub will provide support for entrepreneurs and promote startup businesses. NKU is leveraging expertise from its College of Informatics and the Institute of Health Innovation to support the council’s focus areas. “We are adopting and implementing best American Properties Courtesy of North practices in innovation from entrepreneurial pNEW LIFE AT THE LEVEE Cincinnati-based North American Properties is investing $100 million to renovate and expand Newport on the Levee, a riverside entertainment complex communities around the world, deploying that attracts 4.5 million visitors each year. The levee connects Newport to Cincinnati via the Purple the latest in digital and social technologies, People Bridge. and connecting entrepreneurs to resources specific to their business and personal New developments transforming the region needs,” said NKYEC Chairman Normand Desmarais, the NKU Board of Regents’ new mixed-used development, a $40 million music venue and a 230-foot SkyWheel are among the projects slated for downtown Newport. The mixed-used development includes a hotel, secretary and co-founder of TiER1 office building, retail space and parking garage, and has has been approved for the World Peace Performance Solutions. ABell site in Newport’s central business district. The commonwealth is using Northern In addition to the World Peace Bell development, a $40 million music venue is being built on the Kentucky’s collaboration as an example of Newport riverfront by Covington-based Corporex. The music venue at Ovation is expected to draw more than 180 events and up to 400,000 how regions should approach economic guests each year. The Venue Plaza will be linked to future phases of the Ovation development via a development through entrepreneurship. pedestrian walkway over the recently opened Route 9 extension. The pedestrian bridge will be linked “This is exactly the kind of to restaurants, nightlife and other entertainment spots within the Ovation development. collaboration we were aiming for Newport city commissioners last year approved a memorandum of understanding with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the construction of a pair of elevated pedestrian walkways that when developing this new investment will connect Riverfront Commons to the Taylor-Southgate Bridge, which spans the Ohio River and approach, and we know the results will links downtown Newport to downtown Cincinnati. Riverfront Commons is an 11.5-mile walking/ show why this was the right approach biking path that runs along the Ohio River and links all of Northern Kentucky’s river cities: Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton and Fort Thomas. The pedestrian bridges will connect on the to take,” said Brian Mefford, executive east and west sides of the Taylor-Southgate Bridge. director of the Office of Entrepreneurship Cincinnati-based North American Partners, which purchased Newport on the Levee in 2018, at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic is planning to invest $100 million to renovate and expand the 360,000-s.f. mixed-use, riverside Development. development. Turner Construction, which also recently renovated Cincinnati’s iconic Union Terminal, will lead the construction project. The goal is to create 100 new tech- Newport on the Levee boasts 4.5 million visitors each year. It features a variety of retail, creative office, enabled small businesses in the next 10 dining, lodging and entertainment options, including the Newport Aquarium and a 20-screen IMAX theatre, years, Fitzpatrick said, and have an active along with the adjacent Starwood Aloft hotel and Aqua on the Levee luxury apartments. Innovation District in Covington with Churchill Downs in October 2019 acquired Turfway Park in Florence and announced plans to demolish the existing grandstand to construct a racing and gaming venue in Northern Kentucky that innovation hubs throughout the region would host both live and historical racing and serve as a year-round training facility. that provide on-ramps to the ecosystem. The first phase of the proposed New Latonia facility, which is projected to create nearly 400 direct “Northern Kentucky will be a premier full- and part-time jobs, represents an investment of up to $150 million and would include a historical hub for entrepreneurs, providing racing machine facility featuring up to 1,500 machines, a clubhouse, food and beverage venues, a synthetic racetrack, an inner dirt track and stabling facilities. The second phase of the proposed them with outsized connectivity to the project could include a hotel, with an incremental investment of up to $50 million. The exact location resources and connections they need to of the proposed facility has not been disclosed. thrive,” Fitzpatrick said. Braxton Brewing opened a new taproom and brewery in Fort Mitchell in late 2019. It features 20 Creating a regional strategic plan will taps as well as a 20,000-s.f. storage facility for housing bourbon and other types of barrels for aging beer. The Covington-based company currently operates The Taproom and The Rooftop in Covington help them achieve sustainable growth, and Braxton Labs in Bellevue. she said. Multiple programs in Northern Kentucky serve entrepreneurs. Aviatra Covington this year, and the region will entrepreneurs in Gallatin, Owen, Carroll serves women entrepreneurs at all have two new accelerator programs for and Grant counties who have business stages; NKU’s INKUBATOR program pre-Series A supply chain and health ideas the “playbook” they need to build a helps student entrepreneurs build and innovation companies. sustainable business around them. grow companies; Square1 provides K-12 Blue North is gearing up to launch the NKY’s geographic location is a big students with in-school programs and CO.STARTERS, a nine-week program that asset that entrepreneurs can use to their hosts an annual pitch contest. There has been adopted in 100 communities advantage. But hard work is the true are also several startup accelerators across the globe and helped more than backbone of the innovation community’s in the region, such as The Brandery 3,000 small-business owners get their ideas success. and Flywheel. MORTAR, which serves off the ground. The program will provide “Northern Kentucky is a place where entrepreneurs of color, is expanding to small-business owners, creators and ideas go to work. It has a ‘roll-up-your-

14 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com Our region’s talent, accessibility, amenities and business climate make Northern Kentucky ideal for new and growing businesses. Tri-ED brings new companies to the region and helps our high growth businesses expand, creating jobs and driving economic growth. COVER STORY

tCROSSING THE RIVER Pedestrians use the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge to cross the Ohio River for events on both sides. A prototype for the Brooklyn Bridge, the Roebling has been an iconic landmark along the city skyline since it opened in 1867. The region’s bridges are a vital part of the community.

health department, the NKY Chamber of Commerce, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, the region’s economic development corporation. “It’s just the way we do things and it works so well,” Moore said. “I encourage other communities regularly to try to do the same. Kentucky has way too many counties, and we need to pool our resources to be able to accomplish things.” Tri-ED President Lee Crume said he was skeptical of all of the talk about collaboration when he first came to Northern Kentucky, but he quickly saw firsthand that collaboration and partnerships drive regional growth. “It’s incredible how well the three county judge/executives collaborate, how well they set an agenda for our sleeves and get it done’ culture, which friendly and offers a long list of resources community and how they give each other lends itself to successfully navigating for companies of all sizes, Banta said. space to pursue the projects that are the inevitable obstacles that come “The drive to encourage business important in their communities. They set with starting and growing a business,” innovation and business startups is an amazing tone,” Crume said. Fitzpatrick said. evident by the array of unique and Leaders of the three counties have a Learn more at bluenorthky.com. effective programs offered for both good understanding of their individual entrepreneurs and investors,” markets and assets, and they do not try to Unity and philanthropy he said. “These economic dynamos poach from one another, said Tom West, strengthen community work together to listen, identify and City of Covington economic development Northern Kentucky is comprised of three help to devise solutions to help director. Above all, they work to attract or counties – Boone, Campbell and Kenton maximize success.” keep jobs in Northern Kentucky. – and 35 cities. It has a host of elected Among the agencies that the three Local business professionals also work officials and agencies who have a habit of counties jointly operate or support are together to help those less fortunate working together on things like tourism, the Northern Kentucky Convention and provide opportunities to move the health care, transportation and economic and Visitor’s Bureau (meetNKY), the community toward progress. Horizon development for the region. That kind of collaboration is unique, and it is another reason Northern Kentucky has seen significant growth in recent years, Moore said. “We are known for breaking down those county and city barriers and working collectively as one region,” he said. “By uniting and working together, we can accomplish so much more.” Northern Kentucky is business-

uBOURBON & BEAUTY The historic Tousey House Tavern is one of the stops on The B-Line, a bourbon experience centered around three official Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour Distilleries, five bourbon-centric bars and four restaurants cultivating the freshest tastes in bourbon culinary delights. Located in beautiful Burlington, Tousey House is the perfect spot to enjoy Kentucky bourbon with friends.

16 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com Community Funds, a community deeper dive into giving back to results for Northern Kentucky in the foundation that builds philanthropy in Northern Kentucky.” areas of health, education, job growth the tri-county area and helps the “less Horizon operates traditional and community vibrancy. hopeful” population, was founded by grants through its Community Impact Together with commercial real estate four lifelong Kentuckians: Fund and Donor Advised Funds. It has developer Corporex Companies and the Bill Butler (chairman, Corporex partnerships with local nonprofits to Catalytic Development Funding Corp. Companies); Chuck Scheper (chairman, establish funds that directly support of Northern Kentucky, NKY Regional Bexion Pharmaceuticals); Bob them, such as Redwood, the Boone Alliance is working to build a signature Zapp (retired CEO, former Bank of County Animal Shelter, St. Elizabeth’s facility to house the community’s Kentucky); and Will Ziegler (founding Cancer Care Center and Northern growth organizations, called 1NKY. The partner, Ziegler & Schneider PSC). Kentucky University. building, slated to be constructed near “United in its shared commitment Since its inception, Horizon has the Covington riverfront along Greenup to increase philanthropy for Northern granted out more than $4.5 million. Street, will house Northern Kentucky’s Kentucky believes that Northern “Giving can truly happen at any level, economic development and community Kentucky leaders are best positioned to and we have already watched smaller growth organizations in one place. understand and address the interests, gifts make a big impact,” Grayson said. 1NKY will be located near the landmark needs and opportunities within Northern “Thousands of dollars have been raised for Ascent building, from which it appears to Kentucky,” said Nancy Grayson, president our Emergency Needs Fund, and many of borrow some of its aesthetics. Planning is of Horizon. those gifts were less than $50. In fact, 45% stll in its early stages. With a long-term goal of improving of donations since our inception in 2017 The Regional Alliance also led the quality of life, Horizon operates a variety have been $100 or less. Also, it doesn’t effort to open 1NKY Frankfort, a 3,000- of initiatives to build a broad, inclusive always have to be about money. There are s.f. facility near the Kentucky State community of philanthropy in NKY. endless opportunities to get involved with Capitol in Frankfort. It serves as the “We have an Emergency Needs nonprofits that work in our own backyard, headquarters for the Northern Kentucky Fund developed by our volunteer- and we gratefully serve as a conduit between region, and offers a branded location based Horizon Community Northern Kentuckians and these nonprofits.” where sponsoring organizations and Accelerator that provides funds for bus Another organization working to effect businesses can convene, strategize and passes, ID cards and birth certificates positive change is the Northern Kentucky provide collective impact – and provide a for our neighbors facing homelessness,” Regional Alliance, an organization unified voice on important issues. 1NKY Grayson said. “We also have two giving comprised of regional leaders committed Frankfort will provide a way for the circles that encourage emerging to uniting and mobilizing leadership region to speak collectively in the capital. philanthropists who are ready for a around initiatives that produce tangible Read more about 1NKY on page 24. l TOURISM Unique events, spectacular attractions Distinctive events – and bourbon – attracting record numbers of visitors

tBOURBON DESTINATION New Riff Distilling, founded in 2014 in Newport, is a top tourist attraction in Northern Kentucky. The family-owned distillery, which is “putting a new riff on an old tradition: Kentucky bourbon,” is a top tourist attraction in the region, known for its modern design, three-story copper still, rooftop deck and spaces for events.

By the numbers 12,000 Number of employees in the NKY tourism/ hospitality industry 1,500 Hotel rooms located around the NKY Convention Center 3,000 Hotel rooms near CVG

Photo by SOURCE Cincinnati Airport and BB&T Arena $2.07B Economic impact of NKY tourism in 2018 7.5% Increase in demand for NKY hotels

A. Roebling Suspension Bridge from Covington to Cincinnati and vice BY KATHIE STAMPS Cincinnati. And tourism is playing a huge versa, and the tourism attractions, role in that endeavor. restaurants and retailers who serve them. IBRANT, unique, unconventional. In 2005, meetNKY and the Cincinnati The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Those are just a few words visitors Convention and Visitors Bureau International Airport in Hebron. is have used to describe the Northern (Cincinnati USA) combined forces and known by its aviation initials CVG VKentucky region, where you can enter the resources to form a third marketing for Covington, but it is referred to as Kentucky Bourbon Trail, try on faux fur organization, the Cincinnati USA “the Cincinnati airport” by locals and at Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs, have fun Regional Tourism Network, or RTN, to tourists alike and is yet another regional at Newport on the Levee and walk along promote arts and cultural events and connection for Kentucky and Ohio. the Purple People Bridge to Cincinnati, attractions to the leisure tourist. Tourism for the Northern Kentucky encounter a replica of Noah’s ark, or see a Marketing both sides of the Ohio side alone had a $2.071 billion economic river crossing that was the prototype for River has benefited both: the tourists impact in 2018. The “Northern Kentucky the celebrated Brooklyn Bridge. And that’s who walk and drive across the John River Region” is one of the nine state just the tip of the iceberg. The south “literally begins at our front door, where small-town warmth and hospitality go hand-in-hand with big- city amenities and attractions,” claims the Northern Kentucky Convention and

Visitors’ Bureau (meetNKY). Although the Photo by Regional Tourism Network/Ross Van Pelt two communities collaborate on many things, for many years, NKY has been establishing itself as much more than just the community across the river from

uLIGHT AT NIGHT The John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, named for the civil engineer who designed it, has been an iconic landmark along the city skyline for nearly a century and a half. From the Covington riverfront, the brightly lit bridge and view of Cincinnati is breathtaking.

18 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com Photo courtesy of meetNKY pSEA AND EXPLORE The Newport Aquarium at Newport on the Levee has thousands of animals from around the world in a million gallons of water. It attracts approximately 700,000 guests annually.

tCIRCUS MEETS BEER Bircus Brewing in Ludlow is described as a place where the “surreal world of circus meets the love of beer.” At Bircus, performers juggle clubs, breathe fire, hula hoop, walk on kegs and

Photo by SOURCE Cincinnati amaze on the trapeze and with their aerial silks. regions described by the Kentucky Northern Kentucky is an official San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Department of Tourism. Kentucky has gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a earning the top vote by each judge from had an overall tourism growth of 21% road-trip-style experience established by over 3,000 worldwide entries. New Riff is a since 2013, according to the Department the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. top tourist attraction in Northern Kentucky, of Tourism. Statewide, 71.6 million A new bourbon experience in Northern known for its modern design, a three-story visitors in 2018 spent $7.6 billion, Kentucky, developed by meetNKY, is copper still, rooftop deck and spaces for resulting in a total economic impact of a program called The B-Line (online at conferences and events. more than $11.2 billion (up from $10.9 findyoursippingpoint.com). It launched Last fall, meetNKY partnered with billion the year before), generating more on Memorial Day 2018 and now has 16 the tourism commissions of Bardstown than 94,500 jobs and $787 million in participating businesses, all locally owned: and Frankfort for “Come Find Bourbon” state and local taxes. The economic five restaurants, six bars and five Kentucky (comefindbourbon.com), a marketing impact study was conducted by the Bourbon Trail Craft Tour distilleries, initiative spotlighting an easy-to-do Department of Tourism’s new research including New Riff Distilling in Newport, bourbon experience of 21 distilleries partner, Tourism Economics, based in Old Pogue Distillery in Maysville, Neeley throughout all three bourbon destinations. Wayne, Pa., and is used by many other Family Distillery in Sparta, Second Sights “We’re known for being spirited. We state tourism departments. Spirits in Ludlow, Coppin’s at Hotel are a spirited destination,” Kirkpatrick “The edge of bourbon country Covington, and Rich’s Proper Food & Drink said. “There’s more Northern Kentucky continues to thrive,” said Julie in Covington. pride rolling around than I’ve seen in a Kirkpatrick, vice president of sales and New Riff Distilling, founded in 2014 long, long time. It’s pretty exciting.” marketing for meetNKY. “We are seeing in Newport, produces bourbon, rye and Braxton Brewing Co. opened in 2015 new visitors making Northern Kentucky gin. In the spring of 2019 the company and now has several locations, including their first stop for bourbon.” won five “double gold” medals at the 2019 The Taproom on 7th Street in Covington, featuring a new 5,000-s.f. rooftop bar that opened in July 2019; Braxton Labs, a brewery and taproom in Bellevue, Ky., with 40 original beers on tap; and Braxton Barrel House in Fort Mitchell, which opened in September to make barrel-aged beer like a stout they’ve named Dark Charge Cognac Ex-Bourbon. Braxton also has a hard seltzer called Vive, sold at Kroger, in grapefruit, lime, mango and dragonfruit flavors.

tFAITH-BASED FUN The Creation Museum in Petersburg is a state-of-the-art 75,000-s.f. museum that brings to life the Biblical interpretation of creation. Exhibits include live animals and a stargazer’s planetarium. It attracts thousands of visitors each year.

lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 19 TOURISM

Northern Kentucky and Greater Encounter in Williamstown, Ky., featuring a Cincinnati also have dozens of wineries, 510-foot-long Noah’s ark. including 12 Mile Creek Winery Since its opening in 2016, the Ark (formerly known as Alice N Johns Encounter has hosted as many as 9,000 Winery) in Campbell County’s California, guests in a single day. Recent enhancements Ky., Rose Hill winery and vineyards in include a new 2,500-seat auditorium, a new Butler, Ky., and the Skeleton Root, a family play area designed to accommodate winery and event space in Cincinnati’s children of all abilities, and a larger zoo Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. that now has kangaroos, emus, lemurs, Expansion plans for the 20-year-old sloths and other animals. Because of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in expansions at both the Creation Museum Covington are in a holding pattern, but that and Ark Encounter, visitors were wanting hasn’t stopped convention bookings. Sales to spend more time at both locations, so contracts exceeded meetNKY’s projections AiG created a special “Explore More” bonus for 2019, coming in at 116% of the pass for guests to use on their second day at Photo by SOURCE Cincinnati/Phil Armstrong Photo by SOURCE Cincinnati/Phil expected pace for room nights. The nearby either attraction. pRIVERFRONT REPLICA Rising above the IRS Center, a large building and adjacent Hotel occupancy in NKY hit a record concrete slopes of Cincinnati’s Public Landing parking lots across 23 acres of land, closed high in 2018 from group tours and at Sawyer Point is a three-story, 60-ton, exact in September. Government officials, families coming to the area for these replica of the original red paddle wheel from the business leaders and meetNKY staff are faith-based attractions and for travelers American Queen riverboat. It is positioned about 40 feet off the ground, above a series of 24 metal working with consultants and conducting experiencing bourbon tours. The national smokestacks that showcase the importance of feasibility studies to see how best to develop average for hotel occupancy is 66.2%; steam in the early days of riverboat travel and the property, including proposals for an Northern Kentucky’s demand was the role that riverboats played in the early history expansion of the convention center. 72.8%. Four new hotels with a total of of Cincinnati. Annual conventions for the Kentucky 370 rooms opened in Florence in 2019: League of Cities and the Kentucky Travel Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cincinnati Industry Association are among the Airport (90 rooms), Staybridge Suites at the hotel, along with office space and events held at the convention center, and Florence (91), Fairfield Inn and Suites “bourbon distillery experience.” business has been booked through 2025. Cincinnati Airport (92) and Tru by Hilton “Demand for Northern Kentucky “We’re way out in front,” said Eric Cincinnati Airport (97). Two more hotels hotels showcases the strength of our Summe, president and CEO of meetNKY. are in the works in Florence. destination’s offerings as part of a vibrant “We’re happy to say we have a lot of interest Hotel Covington, a $22 million hotel region,” said meetNKY Board Chair Tim in our center and in our destinations.” located inside a historic downtown Bray, director of communications for the The faith-based attractions designed building, is expanding. Late last year, Kentucky Speedway. by Northern Kentucky-based Answers the City of Covington and investment Across the Ohio River, Cincinnati in Genesis (AiG) bring in visitors from firms The Salyers Group and vR Group attractions continue to thrive, including around the world. The Creation Museum announced plans to renovate and the National Underground Railroad in Petersburg, Ky., opened in 2007. A $3 reimagine the former YMCA building Freedom Center, Contemporary Arts million upgrade in 2019 involved a 4D and Gateway Bookstore located at the Center, Krohn Conservatory and the theater and new exhibits and videos, funded corner of Madison Avenue and Pike Cincinnati Museum Center within entirely by donations from supporters. A Street to expand Hotel Covington and Union Terminal. The Cincinnati Art $2.2 million upgraded planetarium is under create a mixed-use development that will Museum, which opened in 1886, had construction. AiG also operates the Ark include 60 VIP and presidential suites record attendance for the 2019 fiscal

Photo courtesy of meetNKY year of 346,000 visitors, thanks in part to one of the more popular exhibits in recent memory, “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” that featured iconic effigies standing three stories high. Other museum attractions for the year included Paris 1900: City of Entertainment, Collecting Calligraphy: Arts of the Islamic World, and Kimono: Refashioning Contemporary Style. Fiona, a hippopotamus born prematurely and weighing only 29 pounds in early 2017 at Cincinnati Zoo

tBOURBON COUNTRY Prohibition Bourbon Bar at Newberry Bros. Coffee in Newport is one of 16 stops along The B-Line. Northern Kentucky is an official gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

20 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com & Botanical Garden, took the world by storm with viral videos and daily updates of her development. Three years later she continues to be a draw for tourists. In November 2019, Cece the giraffe gave birth to a six-foot-tall calf at the zoo. From land to sea, the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Ky., has fishes large and small, plus alligators and turtles. The aquarium celebrated 20 years at Newport on the Levee in 2019 and is investing $1 million in a new exhibit for the spring of 2020 called “Shipwreck: Realm of the Eels” with a sunken ship theme across five different zones. In late 2018, North American Properties acquired Newport on the Levee. The Cincinnati-based development company is working with Reztark Design Studio and Turner Construction to renovate the 380,000- s.f. retail and entertainment center along Photo by Mackenzie Frank pOUTDOOR ART BLINK, a four-day light and art show, extended from Cincinnati into about 10 the south bank of the Ohio River near blocks of northern Covington in October 2019. The event uses projected lighting, immersive art, the Purple People Bridge. Look for more murals and music to showcase unique buildings and public spaces, turning the region into a massive restaurants, walkways, outdoor venues outdoor art museum. More than 20 installations were featured in Covington, including the Hannaford and attractions to join existing tenants Building, shown here, which was animated with architectural projection mapping. like the 20-screen AMC movie theater. Newport on the Levee opened in 2001 2020 Festivals July and has four levels of garage parking. • Cincinnati Music Festival, Paul Brown February Stadium The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Big Cheese Festival, Fairfield, Ohio • Cincy Blues Fest, Sawyer Point Park approved the permit for construction • Bockfest, Bockfest Hall in Cincinnati • Glier’s Goettafest, Newport on the Levee of the 230-foot SkyWheel, a riverfront • Cincinnati Auto Expo, Duke Energy • Sun Valley Bluegrass Festival, Alexandria observation wheel. Convention Center • Cincinnati Home & Garden Show, Duke August Riverfront Commons is an 11.5- • Festival on the Lake, Alexandria Energy Convention Center • Great Inland Seafood Festival, Newport mile walkway along the Ohio River, • Mardi Gras for Homeless Children, starting in the eastern part of the region Northern Kentucky Convention Center September • Burlington Fall Antique Show, Burlington in Dayton, Ky., and moving west into March • Cincinnati Riverfest and Fireworks, Ludlow, Ky. The city of Covington has • Cincinnati International Wine Festival, Sawyer Point Duke Energy Convention Center • Cincy Comic Expo, Duke Energy begun renovating Riverfront Commons • Cincy Winter Beerfest, Duke Energy by the Roebling Bridge that connects Convention Center Convention Center • Farmers’ Feast, Pendleton County Covington to Cincinnati, to construct a • NKY International Festival, Northern • Oktoberfest, Covington meeting area and amphitheater for music. Kentucky Convention Center • Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, downtown “We’re very excited about this,” Summe May Cincinnati • Derby Day Festival, Williamstown said. “Visitors, particularly international • MainStrasse Village Maifest, Covington October visitors, are interested in the wayfinding • Kentucky’s Edge Bourbon Conference • Summerfair Cincinnati, Coney Island & Festival, Covington and Newport walking aspect. Our heritage is our river.” • Taste of Cincinnati, downtown Cincinnati • Kentucky Wool Festival, Falmouth Ovation, a mixed-use development • Universal Energy Expo, Northern Kentucky • Salt Festival, Big Bone Lick State Park Convention Center in Newport, hopes to attract hundreds November of thousands of visitors to the riverfront June • Winterfair, Northern Kentucky • Bunbury Music Festival, Sawyer Point Park Convention Center each year. Construction of the first phase • Italianfest, Newport of the project, a $40 million, 38,000-s.f. concert venue, began in 2019. Braxton Brewing Company Newport Aquarium Covington Newport ATTRACTIONS Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs Newport on the Levee Ark Encounter Covington Newport Williamstown Elk Creek Vineyards Northern Kentucky Back Roads Wine BB Riverboats Owenton Trail Newport Kentucky Speedway Camp Springs Big Bone Lick State Park Sparta Purple People Bridge Union MainStrasse Village Newport Blue Licks Battlefield State Park Covington Riverside Food Tours Carlisle New Riff Distilling Covington Newport World Peace Bell Newport l lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 21 ARTS & CULTURE A spirit of community NKY rich with arts, food and cultural events that bring people together

tPOPULAR DESTINATION The historic MainStrasse Village in Covington, a 19th century German neighborhood, is Northern Kentucky’s inviting home of Oktoberfest and Maifest. It features unique shops and galleries, a variety of restaurants, beer and bourbon pubs and entertainment options.

have become destinations in and of themselves. “The experience element is critical,” Antus said. “It is the most important thing for any destination.” Part art and part science, chefs and culinary artisans are appreciated by residents and tourists alike. Riverside Food Tours and Cincinnati Food Tours Photo courtesy of KentuckyTourism.com guide patrons through specific experiences surrounding regional dining options at MainStrasse Village in Covington and Findlay Market in Cincinnati’s Over-the- Rhine community, respectively. MainStrasse Village in Covington celebrates Oktoberfest every September, attracting foodies from the neighborhood and from out of town to locally owned restaurants like Frida, Otto’s and the farm- to-table Bouquet Restaurant, and then BY KATHIE STAMPS USA Regional Tourism Network. “Our to the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar and a culinary and cultural tourism is moving jazz café called Dee Felice. There’s Tousey N-person experiences are trending in all higher on the charts for our destination House Tavern in Burlington, Ky.; Trotta’s art forms. demand drivers as the reasons people Steak & Seafood and the bistro Purple Apps and ads and social platforms want to come here.” Poulet in Dayton, Ky.; Pompilio’s Italian Iare great ways to find out what’s Throughout Northern Kentucky, Restaurant in Newport; and Schneider’s happening right now, right here. Finding locally owned restaurants and food- Sweet Shop in Bellevue, Ky., a candy store a concert, art exhibit, dance performance centered events are more popular than and chocolate factory that celebrated its or literary reading has never been easier, ever. Take craft bourbon distilleries and 80th anniversary in 2019. along with where to eat before or after, breweries, for example. They are small The Madison Theater is a music venue and arts organizations are flourishing enough to offer tours and tastings that in Covington. It’s down the block from because of the popularity of real-life experiences. Being tied to a device 24/7 has its drawbacks, of course, one being the hospitality and travel industry calls “permanxiety,” or permanent anxiety, related to the fear of missing out and the preoccupation with needing to know what’s going on in the world at all times. “Arts and culture are the perfect antidote to permanxiety,” said Linda Antus, president and CEO of Cincinnati Network Tourism Photo courtesy of Regional

uUNDER THE SEA The Shining Seas mural, a collaboration between Artworks Cincinnati and Newport Aquarium, celebrates the diverse wildlife of the sea and commemorated Newport Aquarium’s 15th anniversary.

22 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com uHERE’S YOUR SIGN The Greater Cincinnati region boasts plentiful opportunities for tourism staples like zoos, aquariums and restaurants – and also interesting oddities like the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, shown here. The experience includes quirky exhibits and historical pieces to take visitors through American sign history, beginning with the fancy goldleaf glass signs of the early 1900s.

Riverside Korean, one of several ethnic restaurants in the city with authentic cuisine. A new brewery on historic York Street in Newport is Wooden Cask, specializing in craft beer. The York Street Cafe in Newport has a cozy, homey feel with food downstairs and entertainment upstairs. And more concerts take place at the Southgate House Revival in Newport. In Florence, Walt’s Hitching Post is an equine- grant will help repurpose a structural Covington across the Roebling Bridge themed restaurant and tavern, and Miyoshi wall into a wall of murals in downtown into Cincinnati’s Findlay Market. is an authentic Japanese restaurant, one of Newport, adjacent to the east campus of “The BLINK event was absolutely several that opened because of the now- New Riff Distilling. transformational,” Antus said. “Not only defunct Toyota plant. ArtsWave, the nonprofit promoter and did it look lovely, but it was one of those Building, rebuilding, remodeling and fundraiser of the arts serving the Northern things that brings community together. connecting are all happening within Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region, You looked into each other’s eyes and you the arts and culture scene of Northern is the largest organization of its kind in saw a neighborhood in a different way, Kentucky. In Newport, a $40 million the country. From its 2019 Community literally in a different light.” concert venue is underway, thanks Campaign, ArtsWave awarded just over $10 Bringing people together and creating to a partnership between Corporex million in grants to 120 arts organizations a spirit of community, arts events large Companies in Covington and Los throughout the region. ArtsWave’s Blueprint and small are important experiences. Angeles-based AEG Presents/PromoWest. for Collective Action is a 10-year strategy The 38,000-s.f. concert space, Venue designed to create a more vibrant economy MUSEUMS & GALLERIES Plaza, is Phase I of the $1 billion Ovation and a connected community through the American Sign Museum development, a 25-acre mixed-use arts sector. Cincinnati project located on the riverfront side of In October 2019, ArtsWave was a Behringer-Crawford Museum Newport at the Ohio and Licking Rivers. sponsor of BLINK, a four-day festival Covington Construction began in July 2019 for produced by The Agar, ArtWorks, Brave Campbell County Log Cabin Museum the concert space, which will hold up Berlin, the Carol Ann and Ralph V Haile, The Carnegie to 2,700 concertgoers inside and up to Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation and the Cincinnati Covington 7,000 outside. USA Regional Chamber. The festival Cincinnati Museum Center Horizon Community Funds of featured sculptures made from lights and Union Terminal Northern Kentucky launched “The 410,” murals projected onto buildings. Creation Museum Petersburg a new giving circle in late 2019. The An estimated one million people Dinsmore Homestead inaugural grant recipient is Southbank saw the inaugural BLINK festival in Burlington Partners’ upcoming mural project 2017 throughout 20 blocks. The 2019 Fine Arts Center commemorating the 225th anniversary event spanned 30 blocks, and ArtsWave Highland Heights of the city of Newport in 2020. The 410 offered guided walking tours from James A. Ramage Civil War Museum Fort Wright National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Cincinnati Railway Museum of Greater Cincinnati Covington Taft Museum of Art Cincinnati Vent Haven Museum Fort Mitchell l

tHANDS-ON LEARNING The Duke Energy Children’s Museum in Cincinnati offers hands-on fun for children of all ages in eight educational and themed play areas, including two specifically designed for preschool-aged kids. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 23 COLLABORATION Continual quest for progress Leaders working to address challenges: establishing identity, developing political clout

tONE VOICE Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance Board members, sponsors and community members watched Gov. Andy Beshear’s inaugural parade from outside 1NKY Frankfort, a new facility that opened in January to facilitate business in the NKY region. 1NKY Frankfort will help the Regional Alliance and partners in its mission to transform Northern Kentucky by uniting and mobilizing community leaders around initiatives that produce tangible, measurable results.

NORTHERN KENTUCKY TRI-COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. (TRI-ED) 300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 332 Photo courtesy of NKY Chamber Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 NorthernKentuckyUSA.com

Northern Kentucky Tri-ED is the primary economic Lee Crume, development company President for Boone, Campbell and & CEO, Kenton counties, providing Northern marketing, business Kentucky retention and expansion, Tri-ED and entrepreneurship services for the region. Tri-ED markets and BY GREG PAETH highly tangible brick-and-mortar projects promotes Northern Kentucky on a national that are designed to address intangible and international basis as a desirable location ASED on a long list of nuts and bolts problems that go back generations. for new or expanding businesses. metrics and far less objective anecdotal The two-year-old Alliance purchased evidence, it would seem that Northern a home in Frankfort that has been top elected officials in the three largest BKentucky – as a region – should be thrilled christened “1NKY” and transformed counties: Boone, Campbell and Kenton, with its position as one of the most vital and into a kind of headquarters for Northern which have a combined population vibrant areas of the state. Kentuckians who want to drive home of about 398,000. “Or does it lie with But the eight-county region that’s the message to lawmakers that the region the mayors of the larger cities? Exactly thrived for generations as a critical can speak with one voice and a single where does the power base lie so they (in component of the largest metropolitan purpose on many critical issues. Frankfort) can get some sort of definitive area that reaches into the commonwealth Karen Finan, president and CEO of the answer (on regional priorities)?” is far from content with the status quo. alliance, said her organization is leading “This is something that the region has The Northern Kentucky Regional the 1NKY campaign in an effort to develop recognized for a long time and there’s Alliance, working with some 20 “aligned growth strategies” and share some going to be a renewed emphasis on that,” companies and institutions that have services so that the combined organizations said Brent Cooper, president and CEO played huge roles in Northern Kentucky’s can have a greater impact in the region. of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of growth and prosperity, has announced two The building in Frankfort “… offers Commerce, commenting on the long-held a branded location where sponsoring perception that the region lacks political REDI CINCINNATI organizations and businesses can clout in the state capital. 3 East Fourth Street, Suite 301 convene, strategize, advocate and provide “We want to spread the word around Cincinnati, OH 45202 (513) 562-8474 collective impact,” Finan said. the state and around the region that REDICincinnati.com Jack Moreland, president of Southbank Northern Kentucky matters,” added Partners in Newport, an economic Cooper, whose 1,500-member-plus The Regional Economic organization is one of the leading Development Initiative development agency that works in six (REDI) Cincinnati is the Kimm river cities and supports the “1NKY” effort, supporters of 1NKY. first point of contact for Lauterbach, provided some historical perspective. The second tangible project is an office companies locating or President building proposed for Covington that and CEO “The area is divided into three different growing in the 16-county would become headquarters for a number region at the heart of Southwest Ohio, counties, and because of that it means Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. that the powers that be in Frankfort have of “growth organizations” that focus It is supported by top business leaders and a difficult time knowing where the final on development in the region. Besides community partners, and staffed by a team authority is,” Moreland said. Southbank and at least part of the chamber of economic development experts who are passionate about where they live. “Does the power lie with the county staff, the building might become the home judges?” asked Moreland, referring to the base for the Catalytic Development Fund

24 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com of Northern Kentucky, the alliance and the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. Why we love NKY life Finan, who made a presentation to the Covington City Commission in the “What I really love “I love living and working fall, declined to say which organizations about Covington is that in Covington because might move in because no agreements throughout our urban – even as the City is have been signed and the building, at this renaissance, so far, we constantly changing point, is merely under discussion. have been able to hang – it never loses its Like Finan, Cooper stressed the on to our authenticity, authenticity. Covington is importance of unity in the region. Tom West, edginess and our quirky Joe Meyer, crackling with an energy economic imperfections. When you Mayor of that entices people and “When we really act as one Northern develop- Covington Kentucky, we really can have an impact on ment director, walk down a sidewalk in businesses to move here, the state,” said Cooper. He pointed to the Covington downtown or Latonia, and – once here – they fall in love with 2019 election results and the chamber’s get- you can see and feel our our historical buildings, the walkability of out-the-vote campaign as ample evidence socio-economic, racial and other forms our downtown, the friendliness of our about how the region can deliver at the of diversity. Our urban grit and flaws people, and all the great places to eat polls. A number of analysts at the local, state that are on display signal loud and clear and drink.” and national levels said former Gov. Matt this place is real, the people are real, the Bevin’s inability to retain his strong support challenges are real, and most importantly, “This region provides in Northern Kentucky might have been the the opportunities here are real, too.” us with access to top primary reason why he lost to Andy Beshear. talent. With many large “We want our political influence to be as “I love our beautiful state corporations in the Tri- strong as our economic impact in the state,” and here’s why Northern State, along with multiple said Kristin Baldwin, vice president of public Kentucky tops off the colleges and universities, affairs and communications for the chamber. commonwealth. The Kerry Byrne, a large part of our northern counties have president, success has been driven As if they had said this sentence a thousand Total Quality times before, Cooper and Baldwin, who beautiful rural areas that Logistics by top recruits from this were interviewed together, said in unison: Gary W. offer scenic Ohio River area.” Moore, vistas, old growth forests “We feel like we’re often overlooked.” Boone County Chamber board chair Dan Cahill had Judge/ and quality parks. No other “I am extremely grateful to stressed the importance of the region Executive part of Kentucky is home be building my businesses speaking with one voice during his to professional sports of in Northern Kentucky. It’s keynote address at the organization’s baseball, football and soccer. Broadway given me opportunities annual dinner in September. series arts and one of the top zoos in the that I couldn’t have Nearly everyone who was interviewed U.S. are also minutes away, and we are imagined over the last home to the fastest growing international Rachel Grubbs seven years of building for this story stressed the importance DesRochers, of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky airport in the country. But most of all it CEO/Chief here. The people who feel International Airport (CVG), where fares is our amazing people who make our Gratitude like family, the community have dropped as dramatically as the community a place to call home.” Officer at who believes in me, and Grateful the opportunity to share number of direct flights has risen. Grahams Baldwin said companies that used to “There is a unique charm stories and space means send one person to the region on business to living in Northern everything to me.” could now afford to send two or three Kentucky. We are small- because ticket prices have decreased. town enough to be “Northern Kentucky is Cooper said he knows firsthand that closely connected to home for me and my ticket prices are about half what he used each other, and big-city family. Northern Kentucky Diane Whalen, to pay when Delta dominated the airport. enough to provide every is urban, suburban, rural Mayor of – a little bit of everything, Another long-standing intangible Florence employment, shopping problem for the region revolves around its and dining experience sprinkled generously with you could want. While people come Nancy our uncommon charm. I’m image and identity, and how it defines itself. Grayson, As part of the Cincinnati metropolitan and people go from our communities, president, so proud of who we are, area, the question sometimes becomes they continue to call Northern Kentucky Horizon and our future together as whether it’s more North than South and ‘Home Sweet Home,’ y’all.” Community a region.” Funds whether its primary loyalties might be to Cincinnati rather than the commonwealth. “In 2013 we did a rebranding developing a memorable phrase that Lexington is known for horse farms (when)… our slogan was, ‘The southern describes Northern Kentucky was and bourbon and Louisville is home to the side of Cincinnati,’ and we felt that if challenging. Kentucky Derby and also has ironclad links your branding is that you were next to “We tried to come up with a hook that to distilling, said Eric Summe, president and something else, maybe we ought to take represented our region and we couldn’t CEO of the Northern Kentucky Convention another look at it,” Summe recalled. come up with one,” said Summe, who and Visitors Bureau. Summe acknowledged that rattled off a long list of attractions in lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 25 COLLABORATION

HORIZON COMMUNITY FUNDS OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 430 Covington, KY 41011 (859) 757-1552 horizonfunds.org

Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky is a community foundation Nancy that builds philanthropy Grayson, in Boone, Campbell and President Kenton counties. It serves as a charitable concierge to its Northern Kentucky Alliance Courtesy of Northern Kentucky Regional neighbors, whether they give personally, as a family, or as a business. Horizon’s goal Brewery or a glass of bourbon at the New pFOCUSED ON DEVELOPMENT An office is to build the resource base for Northern Riff Distillery in Newport, and then walked building has been proposed for Covington that Kentucky needs such as social services, urban over the Roebling Suspension Bridge in would become headquarters for a number of revitalization, education, health and wellness, Covington to see a Reds or Bengals game “growth organizations” that focus on development the arts and more – now, and into the future. in the region. The proposed rendering for “or a world-class art museum or a Broadway the 1NKY headquarters building, by Phoenix show. We are leveraging that we are in close Architecture and Corporex, depicts it as located the area, including professional sports, proximity to that – we’re not ignoring it.” adjacent to The Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge and museums in Cincinnati, historical sites, “I think we should probably celebrate the RiverCenter Towers. The participating agencies are still discussing the development and nothing is significant architecture, first-rate restaurants that as much as we can because there are final, said Karen Finan, president and CEO of the and bars, and the region’s relatively recent a lot of great things going on just across Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance. status as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail the river and I think we complement Craft Tour, where five distilleries throw those and we want to be seen as equal open their doors for an offshoot of the state’s partners,” Moreland said. “Northern Kentucky’s role as a vibrant popular Bourbon Trail Tour. Summe and Pat Frew, executive part of the Greater Cincinnati region is A fairly new attraction is what the director of the Covington Business important to the way outsiders view us tourism bureau promotes as being on Council, both pointed out that one of nationally,” said Frew, whose organization “The Edge” of bourbon country, where five the next major projects in the region will has about 400 members. “Cities that distillers and a number of bourbon-centric be the redevelopment of the Internal possess walkable communities rise to the bars hope to attract travelers who might be Revenue Department service center top of the list for potential residents and headed south for the Bourbon Trail. property in Covington. businesses. To have the Covington riverfront The first Edge conference and two-day “To see 23 acres of riverfront property within a 10-minute walk of (on festival were held in October. in some form of development down the Cincinnati’s riverfront) … is significant.” While being directly across the road creates almost to me an ultimate Other regions of the state or parts Ohio River from Cincinnati may be an quality of place (opportunity), depending of the country might find it difficult to impediment to establishing a distinct on how it’s developed,” said Summe, shed any tears of sympathy for Northern identity for Northern Kentucky, the whose agency covets one corner of the Kentucky. It’s part of a three-state metro location also has numerous advantages. property so that the Northern Kentucky economy with Ohio and Indiana that “We are part of the Cincinnati experience Convention Center can expand. ranked 29th in the country when it and we would be foolish to not leverage Frew pointed out that the site has recorded a gross domestic product of that,” said Cooper. He said he’d be perfectly plenty of potential for a variety of more than $138 billion in 2017, the happy if visitors stayed at the Hotel reasons, including its proximity to last year for which the U.S. Commerce Covington, had a beer at the nearby Braxton downtown Cincinnati. Department has data. Just under $20 Steve Thomas photo Steve Thomas billion – about a tenth of the state’s GDP – was produced in Northern Kentucky. In addition to the 398,000 people in the three largest counties, there are about 90,000 people in the other five Northern Kentucky counties. That total adds up to about 11% of the state’s population. l

tUNITING THE REGION Roger Peterman, a partner in the Dinsmore law firm in Covington, is shown at the 2019 Northern Kentucky Chamber Dinner, which celebrated the chamber’s 50th anniversary by honoring the accomplishments of individuals and the business community and highlighting strides made by the chamber throughout the past 50 years. Regional unity was a theme throughout the evening.

26 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com Lane Report Market Review 8.125x10.75 copy.pdf 1 12/3/19 1:10 PM

Some people say Northern Kentucky is a bit uncommon.

We know it. We own it.

We have an uncommon unity. Sharing our uncommon personalities. That creates a common strength.

That’s why we can solve our common problems together.

C We are Horizon Community Funds … on a mission to better M where we live. Y

CM MY We are your community foundation that inspires CY individual actions that add up to a common good. C’mon, CMY

K Northern Kentucky – do good with us.

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY: www.horizonfunds.org

every dollar makes a difference ORGANIZATIONS Working together for a better NKY Local organizations advocate for businesses and needs of community

HE Northern Kentucky region is known for its collaborative spirit. Several local agencies work Ttogether to support the growth and health of the community and its businesses, and to promote it as a place that is ripe for investment. Here’s a look at a few of them.

NKY Tri-ED northernkentuckyusa.com Since its founding in 1987, Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. (Tri-ED) has led the successful relocation or expansion efforts for 670 business projects, representing more than 67,000 primary industry jobs and workforce development. The pCONNECTING CITIES Riverfront Commons created with a capital investment of more chamber exists “to be the voice of the is an 11.5-mile walking and biking path that runs than $8.4 billion. business community,” it says. along the Ohio River from the city of Ludlow on the west to the city of Fort Thomas on the east. Tri-ED markets and promotes Northern It will seamlessly connect over the Purple People Kentucky on a national and international NKADD Bridge to trails in Cincinnati, to the Licking River basis as a desirable location for new or nkadd.org Greenway in Northern Kentucky, and to Devou expanding businesses, and assists existing The Northern Kentucky Area Park in Covington. local companies to expand operations and Development District (NKADD) is a grow their customer bases. collaboration of local leaders and staff it grew in popularity, it was taken over by In April 2019, Lee Crume was hired educating and empowering communities the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky as president and CEO, tasked with by implementing quality services (TANK) and became part of the regional transforming the organization during through specific areas of expertise in transit network. It is now one of the most a period of substantial growth and aging, community development, human heavily utilized routes in the system. development of jobs in NKY. Several services, and workforce development. It The Purple People Bridge was also other new staff members were added to serves 62 local governments and eight conceived and developed by Southbank. assist in that mission. Kentucky counties – Boone, Campbell, The L&N Bridge between Newport and Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen Cincinnati was being considered for NKY Chamber of Commerce and Pendleton. demolition. The leaders of Southbank nkychamber.com saw an opportunity to create a pedestrian The Northern Kentucky Chamber Southbank Partners link between Kentucky and Ohio, which of Commerce is a leading business southbankpartners.com is now an extremely popular and heavily organization and a nationally accredited five- Southbank Partners is a community and used pedestrian connection that is an star chamber. It serves all business types and economic development organization important part of Newport’s urban core. sizes. Its mission is to promote and support that coordinates activity with the cities Among its ongoing projects is Riverfront the development of strong businesses and a that lie along Northern Kentucky’s bank Commons, an 11.5-mile walking, running vibrant economy in the Northern Kentucky of the Ohio River. Its purpose is to and biking trail along the Ohio River that region, through leadership and advocacy, help the cities through promoting and will link Northern Kentucky’s river cities: resulting in a better quality of life for all. coordinating development activities, Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, From helping solve human resources fostering teamwork and collaboration, and Dayton and Fort Thomas. issues and navigating bureaucracies providing a unified voice for the partner to connecting businesses to potential cities in advocating common positions to REDI Cincinnati customers, the NKY Chamber helps its state and federal governments, as well as redicincinnati.com members grow and market their businesses. to other communities. The Regional Economic Development It also is helping the region address both the Recognizable accomplishments of Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati is the first current and future demand for workforce Southbank Partners include the creation of point of contact for companies locating talent through local initiatives such as the Southbank Shuttle, the Purple People or growing in the 16-county region at GROW NKY. Bridge and Developers Day. The Southbank the heart of Southwest Ohio, Northern Led by Brent Cooper, president and Shuttle is a bus that runs every 15 minutes Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. It is CEO, the Chamber has 1,400 members and connects the cities of Covington, supported by top business leaders and across the region. It advocates for its Newport, Bellevue and Cincinnati. This community partners and staffed by a team members and the needs of the area, transit system was originally conceived, of economic development experts who are including infrastructure improvements owned and operated by Southbank, but as passionate about where they live. l

28 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com DEMOGRAPHICS Northern Kentucky by the Numbers

ORTHERN Kentucky – part of the 15-county Greater Cincinnati region – has a growing population and A map of the Greater Cincinnati region, an expanding workforce. The Greater Cincinnati which includes Northern Kentucky’s six counties, courtesy REDI Cincinnati Nregion has a labor pool of more than 1.3 million people and a labor force participation rate and size (civilian population 16 years and over) that is significantly higher than the rest of Kentucky and the United States. The three counties that comprise Northern Kentucky – Boone, Campbell and Kenton – have a labor force of nearly 210,000 people. Northern Kentucky is just a one-day drive (or 90-minute flight) from 60 percent of the U.S. population. It is the nexus where three interstate highways meet, including I-75. The region’s key industries are logistics, 398,000 Population (Boone, financial services, aviation and aerospace, food Campbell & Kenton) and flavor, life sciences and automotive. The 37 Median age of residents unemployment rate in the three counties is low 39.47 Percentage of residents – 3.1% as of March 2019 – and the average with a college degree worker earned annual wages of $49,048 as of the fourth quarter of 2018. Fifty-five percent of the jobs in Northern Kentucky are Median household $69,921 considered “white collar.” Over the next year, employment in the region is projected to income expand by 1,504 jobs. 69.73 Percentage of Northern Kentucky’s demographics paint a picture of a thriving, growing and homeowners impactful region that is poised to continue to attract attention from business and $163,951 Median home value industry leaders in the coming years. County Populations Largest Employers 2000 2019* 2040* EMPLOYER NO. OF EMPLOYEES Boone 85,991 136,757 224,687 Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky 13,678 Campbell 88,616 92,732 88,012 International Airport Gallatin 7,870 8,813 9,863 St. Elizabeth Healthcare 8,557 Grant 22,384 24,786 30,090 Fidelity Investments 3,870 Kenton 151,464 168,511 177,963 Kroger Co. 3,690 Pendleton 14,390 14,122 15,118 Amazon.com 3,301 Clermont (OH) 177,977 204,214 216,190 Boone County Schools 3,400 Hamilton (OH) 845,303 813,822 786,090 Citi 2,490 Totals 1,393,995 1,463,757 1,548,013 Northern Kentucky University 1,984 * Estimated Source: Kentucky State Data Center, Ohio Development Services Agency Kenton County Schools 1,700 Castellini Group of Cos. 1,550 Mubea NA 1,450 Top Occupations Industry Sectors with Robert Bosch Automotive Steering 1,000 OCCUPATION PERCENT Highest Average Wages Duro Hilex Poly LLC 848 Office and administrative 13.22% Campbell County Schools 715 INDUSTRY WAGES PER Production workers 12.22% WORKER Mazak Corp 676 Sales 11.05% Management of companies $128,172 Frisch’s Restaurants 675 Executive, managers and enterprises 8.54% U.S. Postal Service 650 and administrators Utilities $86,886 Schwan’s Global Supply Chain Inc. 600 Food preparation and service 6.86% Finance and insurance $78,845 Tyson Foods 566 Corporex Cos. LLC 483 Zumbiel Packaging 400 Industry Sectors Industry Sectors with Perfetti Van Melle USA Inc. 360 with Most Workers the Best Job Growth Verst Logistics 312 Gateway Community and 311 INDUSTRY NO. OF Transportation and warehousing WORKERS Technical College Manufacturing Transportation and warehousing 22,828 Source: Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Health care and social assistance Health care and social assistance 22,022 Manufacturing 21,529

lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 29 CONSTRUCTION Sponsored by Renewed interest in the region Amazon Prime Air hub and opportunities it creates, housing shortage driving new projects

BY LORIE HAILEY Campbell counties topped $323 million pSPEC BUILDING Paul Hemmer Co. is in 2019, a 205% increase over 2017, currently constructing a 139,600-s.f. speculative housing shortage and an influx of according to data from the Builders distribution facility near CVG for CA Ventures, an economic development projects international real estate investment management Industry Association of Northern company headquartered in Chicago. The $9.7 have led to a significant rise in Kentucky (BIANKY). million project features 32-foot clear heights, LED Aconstruction projects in Northern Kentucky. The $1.5 billion Amazon Prime Air lighting with motion sensors, 14 loading docks From the construction of the Amazon hub, under construction and set to (expandable to 31), a 125-foot truck court and Prime Air hub and a large spec building open in 2021, is driving some of that 146 car parking spaces. at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky growth, encouraging other companies International Airport (CVG) to several to invest in the region, said Brian Miller, is unlike other areas in the region riverfront projects, a collection of mixed- executive vice president of BIANKY. because of several factors – density in the use developments and multiple residential Some properties that have been vacant for population, proximity to the airport, and projects, builders and contractors in years are being developed “because of the a strong national investment in the area.” Northern Kentucky are staying busy. Amazon project and the surge of activity Amazon’s investment has attracted In 2019, 844 new residential with logistics centers,” he said. businesses to the region to take advantage construction permits – single and multi- “What’s going on right now is nothing of anticipated opportunities, agreed Paul family homes – were issued (as of the short of amazing,” said Dan Ruh, Hemmer Jr., president of Paul Hemmer beginning of December), up 13% over executive vice president and Cincinnati Co. in Fort Mitchell, a construction leader 2017, when there were 744. Permits for market leader for Cincinnati-based in the region since 1921. residential remodeling increased 95% design/build firm Al. Neyer. “I am a Hemmer is currently constructing from 2017 to 2019, from 1,284 to 2,514. fifth-generation Kenton County resident a 139,600-s.f. speculative distribution New commercial/industrial capital and am so excited to finally be actively facility near CVG for CA Ventures, an investments in Boone, Kenton and developing in NKY. Northern Kentucky international real estate investment Kenton County Police Department photo management company headquartered in Chicago. The design/build company completed construction in December 2019 of another building at the airport, an expanded GE On-Wing Support facility that will be used for GE Aircraft engine repair services. Al. Neyer also is in on the action. The company is constructing a 1.1 million- s.f. speculative distribution center on 59 acres at the corner of Burlington Pike and

tNEW AND OLD The new Kenton County Administration Building opened in the fall of 2019. The $29 million project included renovating the former Bavarian Brewery, a 1911-era building that had been largely unoccupied in recent years, and adding a new, adjacent facility.

30 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com LUCKETT & FARLEY turbine engine manufacturer, recently 737 S. Third St. purchased and renovated an 83,000-s.f. Louisville, KY 40202 property near CVG. The Cincinnati-based (502) 585-4181 company invested $16 million and is luckett-farley.com creating about 100 new jobs there. President and CEO Aric “The new site will be located 13 miles Andrew has infused his from our headquarters and around the passion for design excellence Aric Andrew, and innovative thinking into AIA, LEED corner from our Northern Kentucky Luckett & Farley, the oldest AP, President facility,” said Beau Easton, one of the continuously operating and Chief owners of Meyer Tool. “We have also Executive architectural firm in the been the beneficiaries of an excellent Paul Hemmer Co. photo country. Officer Perfetti Van Melle USA chose the Paul Hemmer As an architect, workforce talent pool in the area. Co. to renovate and expand its manufacturing Andrew himself has over a quarter-century Northern Kentucky has become a hub facility in Florence. Perfetti Van Melle makes of architectural and project management for manufacturing with an emphasis on Airheads candy and other confections. experience. A graduate of the University automotive and aerospace manufacturing, of Kentucky College of Architecture (now College of Design), where he received several and we’re thrilled to be part of this Nearly a century design awards, Andrew has led the firm’s thriving community.” transformation with a new, unique “studio” Hemmer has been the go-to builder of building in model and renovated new headquarters. for several companies opening warehouse Its studio approach integrates architecture, Northern Kentucky engineering and interior design in six different and distribution centers or manufacturing industries – health and wellness, industrial, facilities at or near the airport – including AUL Hemmer Co. is a construction, corporate commercial and hospitality, higher Robert Bosch Automotive Steering, building and real estate services firm education, government and distilled spirits. Wayfair, Bonfiglioli USA and others – and with a history in Northern Kentucky Pand Cincinnati dating to 1921. Nearly throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. Aero Parkway, adjacent to the Amazon The company is currently renovating 100 years later, Hemmer is recognized as one of the region’s premier providers of and expanding Mazak’s North American Prime Air hub. The building, called Aero construction services. Commerce Center, will be more than headquarters and expanding Perfetti Van For more than 50 years, Hemmer has 24 acres under roof when completed. Melle’s facility, both in Florence. specialized in design-build construction. It is scheduled to be completed in third In recent years, Hemmer has seen the Hemmer’s unique knowledge and quarter of 2020. most growth in logistics and distribution experience enables it to provide the earliest Also being built at the airport is a construction, followed by manufacturing commitment of guaranteed cost and 50,400-s.f. multi-tenant facility that will and suburban office and medical building delivery for its industrial and commercial be anchored by FedEx, which bases two construction. Companies choose Hemmer customers. All construction projects come aircraft out of CVG. Construction of the because of its strong building systems with inherent risks, so nothing takes the facility, being developed by Aeroterm, is knowledge, Paul Hemmer said. place of experience, said Paul Hemmer Jr., president of Paul Hemmer Co. “We think of buildings in terms of nearly complete. In its design/build program, Hemmer A $19 million aircraft maintenance their life cycle. Buildings need to be focuses its efforts on building value by facility, FEAM Aero, also is currently designed for flexibility because their design. Every project is viewed as more under construction at CVG. And Meyer initial use will change,” he said. than just a one-time endeavor, the company Tool, an aerospace and industrial gas Commercial construction projects of president said. all kinds are underway across the region. Hemmer knows that each project represents both a substantial and long-term qCOMMERCE CENTER The new Kenton County Al. Neyer has built investment for its customers. three buildings at the Erlanger Commerce Administration Building, at 303 Court Center, near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky St., opened in the fall of 2019. The $29 “Hemmer understands that decisions International Airport (CVG). The first building million project included a renovation made early in the process will have the greatest impact on value for the life of the is occupied by Perfetti Van Melle and Novalex of the former Bavarian Brewery, a 1911- (Duro-Bag). Coca-Cola Consolidated occupies the building,” Paul Hemmer said. “In addition, second building; the third is a speculative building era building that had been largely we know that our success is tied to an available for lease. unoccupied in recent years, and the ability to lead a team of professionals that includes architects and engineers, as well as subcontractors and suppliers.” Hemmer has an excellent reputation in the subcontractor community and has

Al. Neyer photo established strong relationships with the best subcontractors in the region. Finally, Hemmer credits its success to a professional staff with an established culture of teamwork and service, where an emphasis is placed on good communication, as well as a commitment to quality and competitive pricing, Paul Hemmer said. “Nearly 100 years after its founding, Hemmer enjoys an excellent reputation and track record for success,” he said. “Our goal is to become your building partner.”

lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 31 CONSTRUCTION construction of an adjoining new facility. The words Kenton County and Kentucky are displayed prominently on the county building and are lit at night. Al. Neyer recently completed the third

phase of its Erlanger Commerce Center, Paul Hemmer Co. photo a 575,000-s.f. speculative building. The first phase was two buildings that offered 1.6 million s.f. of state-of-the-art distribution space at the intersection of Interstates 75 and 275. The completed Phase I features a 779,720-s.f. building split between tenants Duro Bag and Perfetti Van Melle; Phase II was a 301,000-s.f. Phase II building for Coca- Cola Bottling Company Consolidated. Just south of Erlanger Commerce Center, Al. Neyer is building a three-story, 100,000-s.f. office building for Atlas Air around the airport is getting picked over, pHQ EXPANSION Paul Hemmer Co. is Worldwide’s operation center. large parcels have gone, small parcels are doing multiple renovation and building additions coming on.” to Mazak’s North American manufacturing Turner Construction is leading a huge headquarters in Florence. renovation and expansion project at The next available land in Boone Newport on the Levee. Cincinnati-based County is in Walton, which for years was North American Partners, which purchased considered too far away for companies to PAUL HEMMER COMPANY Newport on the Levee in 2018, plans to locate, he said. That has changed. 226 Grandview Dr. Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 invest $100 million in the 360,000-s.f. “Now, outside companies are looking (859) 341-8300 mixed-use, riverside development. at Walton and things are starting to get paulhemmer.com bid there. But once that goes, we’re pretty Paul Hemmer Company is a Local leaders planning much out with the exception of some construction management, for continued growth remnants in Kenton County,” Miller said. building services and real The attention Amazon is bringing to Kenton County leaders, however, are estate development firm that Paul W. Northern Kentucky has led local leaders working to put thousands of acres on a builds Value by Design. With Hemmer, Jr., a history in Greater Cincinnati President, to take stock of the available land and future land-use map, he said, to try to dating to 1921, Hemmer get an adequate amount of industrial Paul Hemmer make plans to sustain that growth. specializes in design/build Company That includes tackling zoning issues land in Kenton County that can supply construction, which enables and making sure the infrastructure is the region for a few years. The planning it to provide the earliest commitment of cost and delivery for its industrial, medical, commercial in place to support large commercial commission has not yet released any and retail clients. developments, BIANKY’s Miller said. land-use maps, but it likely will make “The size of these projects coming in them public in early 2020 and give the the last year or two is pretty massive,” he community an opportunity to provide residential development has been the said. “And it probably eclipses what is input, Miller said. remodeling and repurposing of existing going on around most of the U.S.” It is important to make sure Kenton buildings, according to data from Boone County’s zoned commercial and County is poised to take advantage of the BIANKY. heavy industrial land is “getting gobbled development boom, so those developers More than 2,500 permits for up right now,” Miller said. “Anything don’t “go right down the interstate” and residential remodeling were issued in invest elsewhere, he said. Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in SOUTHBANK “Hopefully ... we are able to bring 2019, a 96% increase over 2017. PARTNERS about 3,000 acres of industrial land to The number of permits for single- 425 York Street market,” he said. family homes has not changed much Newport, KY 41071 over the past three years; in 2019, there (859) 655-7700 Currently, commercial and industrial southbankpartners.com land use accounts for less than 6% of the were 795; in 2018 and 2017, there were land area in Kenton County, according to 715 and 682, respectively. There were 49 Southbank Partners is a Jack Moreland, permits for multi-family homes in 2019, community- and economic Direction 2030, a research report by the President, down 87% from 2018, when 92 multi- development organization Kenton County Planning Commission. that promotes and coordinates Southbank family home permits were issued. There Partners development activities, fosters Economic activity spurs were 62 permits in 2017. teamwork and collaboration, and provides a residential development By far, most new home construction unified voice for the Northern Kentucky Ohio was completed in Boone County. In 2019, River cities of Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Economic development means more Ludlow, Newport, Silver Grove and Fort Thomas. jobs, and that means more residents both Boone and Campbell counties had Its accomplishments include the Southbank who need homes in Northern Kentucky. over 1,000 remodeling permits issued, Shuttle, the Purple People Bridge, and Riverfront 1,126 and 1,040 respectively. Campbell Commons, an 11.5-mile walking/biking trail New residential projects are popping up along the river currently under development. For all over the region to meet the demand, County’s projects had the most value, more information visit southbankpartners.com. from riverfront high-rises to single- though, coming in at $22.7 million family home subdivisions. Much of the versus Boone’s $14.5 million. l

32 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com

REAL ESTATE Sponsored by Creating livable communities Commercial, residential real estate projects aim to make region attractive to newcomers Courtesy of Corporex

BY LORIE HAILEY The quality of life in NKY is second to pUNDER CONSTRUCTION Ovation, a none, he said, citing the region’s strategic planned $1 billion mixed-use project by Corporex, ROM riverfront developments and location, the presence of worldwide when finished will be a massive mixed-use complex on Newport’s waterfront. The first phase, speculative buildings to residential business and industry leaders, sought- currently under construction, is an indoor/outdoor complexes and neighborhoods, there’s after international events, a renowned concert venue and parking garage. Fa ton of action in Northern Kentucky’s arts and culture scene, multiple sports real estate market. franchises, world-class universities and The Northern Kentucky and Greater a “global influence that impacts every will attract hundreds of thousands of Cincinnati area is a “hidden jewel,” said neighborhood and business.” visitors to the region, adding to an Tom Banta, managing director of the The region’s abundant skilled already remarkable quality of life that Corporex Companies and Corporex workforce also attracts big-name potential investors seek. The project Realty & Investment in Covington. Cost investors, Banta said. has been in the planning stages for of living in NKY is 12% below national Corporex is a real estate investment more than 10 years, thanks to a few average and housing prices are 30% company with strong roots in Northern roadblocks, including a major recession, below national average, he said. Kentucky. It has been investing in the but construction on the first phase – a “The area supports the fastest-growing community for more than 53 years concert venue – kicked off in July 2019. economy in the Midwest and ranks in the and is responsible for some iconic Corporex partnered with AEG top five in the nation as one of the best areas developments, including RiverCenter Presents/Promo West on the $40 million, for economic development,” Banta said. Towers and The Ascent at Roebling’s 38,000-s.f. concert venue, which

Courtesy of Corporex Bridge in Covington. will host more than 180 events each One of Corporex’s most recent year. Its groundbreaking design will projects is Madison Place Apartments, a accommodate indoor audiences up to 13-story, 187-unit high-rise community 2,700 and will have an outdoor capacity situated in one of the most sought-after for summer shows of up to 7,000 neighborhoods on the riverfront. The attendees. With its unique sweeping roof units, which offer enchanting views of design, the concert venue will sit atop a the Cincinnati skyline, are in the “pre- 550-car structured parking garage. leasing” phase. “This facility is expected to attract over The company also is developing 350,000 to 400,000 fans annually to this the long-awaited Ovation project, a intimate music setting,” Banta said. major mixed-use development on the The concert venue will be linked river in Newport that, once completed, to future phases of the Ovation development via a pedestrian walkway over the recently opened Route 9 extension, Banta said. “The pedestrian bridge will be linked tHIGH RISE Corporex is leasing Madison Place Apartments, a 13-story, 187-unit high-rise to the restaurants, night life and other community situated on one of the most sought- entertainment spots that will make up the after neighborhoods on the riverfront. main pedestrian streets dubbed Broadway Corporex: Philanthropy vital to community well-being

OR 54 years, William “Bill” Butler, chairman of Corporex Companies LLC, built the company into one Fof the leading privately held owner/ operators of commercial real estate in the country. Corporex controls more than $1 billion of real estate investments located in 20 major markets in the United States. The company has developed several major projects in Northern Kentucky, including RiverCenter Towers and The Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge, the iconic blue and white residential building with a sloped spiral roof that offers a stunning view of the Ohio

Courtesy of City Covington River and the Cincinnati skyline. In the summer of 2019, Butler pVILLAGE VITALITY RiverHaus, a new high- areas in the entire Midwest,” Banta said. stepped down from the role of CEO and end residential and commercial development “At the confluence of two rivers, the began concentrating on the company’s project built by Flaherty & Collins Properties in property has breathtaking panoramic philanthropic efforts, a crucial part of Covington’s MainStrasse neighborhood, is the views of the Cincinnati skyline, Corporex’s company culture. first new construction project in Kentucky to use “This community work is the source an Energy Project Assessment District to finance architecturally renowned bridges, the of my energy these days. Throughout our energy-efficient construction. cascading hills of Kentucky and all corporate career, we held to a standard the amenities the riverfront offers. It is that we would not wait to give back, but a short walk or water taxi ride to the rather we would give along the way, both and Main Streets within the mixed-use Central Business District, Great American financially and of ourselves, with personal Ovation development,” he said. Ballpark, Bengals Stadium and US Bank time devoted to the community,” Butler Later this year, construction is Arena.” said. “Now, I am more free to give both scheduled to begin on a 1,400-space Ovation isn’t the only NKY mixed-use time and money.” parking structure podium that will development in the works. Corporex has donated significant serve as the base for 834 housing units Construction is set to begin in the resources to strengthen the community through its corporate giving program and 91,000 s.f. of street level retail spring of 2020 on the first phase of a and The Butler Foundation, established project by World Peace Bell Hospitality and amenity space. Once completed, in 1979 to directly help low-income and Ovation will have 942 residential units, that includes a hotel, office building, disadvantaged people in Northern Kentucky. three hotels, 1 million s.f. of office space, retail space and parking garage on the The Butler Foundation has helped struggling 380,000 s.f. of entertainment and retail World Peace Bell site in Newport’s central families by providing operating support, space and 2,700 structured parking business district. The hotel and parking program funding and scholarship dollars to spaces. garage are being built first. more than 70 local charities. “The site is one of the most “This project will be the missing Corporex and The Butler Foundation phenomenal opportunity development link connecting Newport on the Levee helped launch and expand Life Learning to Monmouth Street and the central Center, which prepares at-risk adults for business district,” said Newport City productive employment and life success. CORPOREX FAMILY Corporex originated and was a principal Manager Tom Fromme. “It’s another piece COMPANIES funder of The Catalytic Development 100 E. RiverCenter Boulevard of the puzzle for downtown development Funding Corp. of Northern Kentucky. Suite 1100 and part of the rapid and remarkable In 2017, Butler also helped launch Covington, KY transformation for our heavily-trafficked Horizon Community Funds, a public charity Corporex is a real estate- downtown corridor.” that unites resources to improve the focused investment quality of life for all people in Northern Bill Butler, Plans for the Peace Bell site – which company. Our core mission Chairman is bordered by Monmouth, York, Fourth Kentucky and to “move the community is to create value through and Founder, and Fifth streets – call for a 144-room forward,” he said. our real estate investments. Butler sits on the boards of Horizon We have a 54-year legacy Corporex hotel, a 49,000-s.f. mixed-use building Community Funds, United Way of Greater of designing, developing, Companies that will include retail and office space LLC Cincinnati, Lindner Center of HOPE, Dan constructing and managing and a 350-space, above-ground parking real estate assets of the Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America highest quality. Our track record demonstrates garage. The hotel will face Fourth Street; and The Butler Foundation. He is also a a diverse mix of investment in and the retail and office building will front member of the Northern Kentucky Regional development of over 100 build-to-suit office Monmouth Street. Alliance, a community organization that and industrial projects, over 41 full service and The World Peace Bell will remain seeks to unite and mobilize community select service hotels, business parks, luxury residential and family sports clubs. on the site, but the Southbank Partners leaders to help the region grow. building will be demolished and the

lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 35 REAL ESTATE uCURB APPEAL Unique and historic residential real estate opportunities in the urban core of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties include Newport’s Mansion Hill, North Covington’s extravagant historic architecture, and the picturesque Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue.

organization will likely move into the new development. In Covington, city leaders are working to transform the 23-acre former IRS site into a mixed-use development that includes a levee park, a community plaza for festivals, and a mixture of buildings containing offices, retail shops and places to live. The city hired Cooper Carry, the Atlanta-based global architecture and design firm, to create a conceptual master plan for the site while simultaneously helping the city gain control from the federal government. The firm helped the city gather community input on the project. The conceptual plan has not yet been adopted but is being used as a guide as the city moves forward. The IRS site became available when it closed its doors in September 2019 after 52 years of operation. “It’s a huge opportunity for Covington,” said Tom West, the city’s perfect home to move up to,” NKAR said “Remodeling is off the charts,” Miller economic development director. in its December 2019 press release. “We said. “We’ve tried to focus on creating a saw many homes in the price point of Boone County had the most livable community, because if we’re $100,000 to $250,000 getting multiple remodeling projects in 2019, but going to attract jobs, we need to have offers in the first few days on the market. Campbell County’s projects had a higher neighborhoods that people want to live in. So much competition for homes to buy value. (Boone County also had more new So we’ve had kind of what I call a corner- saw sale prices explode in comparison to home construction – single family and store focus. I always ask, ‘Why should just a few years ago.” multi-family dwellings – in 2019 than the someone have to get in their car and drive In May 2019, the average listing price of other two counties.) three miles to get a loaf of bread?’” Northern Kentucky homes for sale rose to One residential development that is $344,131, the highest ever recorded. June attracting attention is a plan to convert Home sales dollar volume 2017 saw average listing prices at $285,672, the hilltop property of the former up in 2019 the highest to that date in NKY. Newport Baptist Convalescent Home Residential real estate had a big year, too. “An average price increase of $58,459 into 45 luxury condominiums. The four- A record number of homes were sold is quite hard to sustain, especially for story building, located at 120 Main St., in 2018 – 6,816 homes. While it’s likely first-time buyers,” NKAR said. faces downtown Cincinnati and offers 2019 won’t surpass that number, the A number of factors are driving in magnificent, panoramic views of the dollar volume – $1.37 billion – was up the increase in home prices. In new Cincinnati skyline. 3.59% as of November 2019, according construction, increased labor and Each condominium unit will have a to the Northern Kentucky Association of materials costs, and fees associated with patio or deck. A model home is already Realtors (NKAR). The average home price federal regulations, are driving up costs, open. was $206,533, an increase of 6.38% over said Brian Miller, executive vice president “The views up there are staggering,” 2018. In May 2019, the average listing of the Building Industry Association of Fromme said. price of Northern Kentucky homes for Kentucky (BIANKY). In Covington’s MainStrasse Village, sale rose to $344,131, the highest ever “The first-time home buyer is pretty RiverHaus was completed in 2019. recorded here. much priced out,” Miller said. The $50 million, high-end residential During the past two years, NKAR saw There is a lot of activity in home and commercial development has 190 a shift in the local market. Inventory renovation and remodeling. In 2019, apartments, retail space and a parking shortages began to happen in certain residential remodeling permits increased garage. desired areas and “as sellers had a by 44%, and those permit values RiverHaus is just one of a number of relatively easy time selling their home, increased by $11.3 million, according to notable residential developments across they often found it difficult to find the BIANKY data. the tri-county region. l

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Luckett Farley ad_NKY MktRev_Jan20.indd 2 12/9/19 4:57 PM LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION Logistics powerhouse Optimal location, innovative workforce help NKY become a leader in burgeoning industry

BY LORIE HAILEY

ROM eCommerce to warehousing and transporting goods, Northern Kentucky has become a logistics Fpowerhouse, thanks to its geographical advantage, an educated and innovative workforce, and collaboration among its economic development leaders. Northern Kentucky is optimally positioned for ease of market access. The region is within 600 miles of 65% of the U.S. population – that’s a one-day drive or 90-minute flight. It’s also within 600 miles of five commercial airports, 19 interstate highways and parkways, two major air freight shipping hubs (UPS and DHL), 2,800 miles of mainline rail and 1,100 miles of commercial waterways with seven public riverports. One of the region’s greatest logistics assets is the Cincinnati/Northern

Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Chamber of Commerce Photos by NKY Hebron. The airport is a catalyst for much of the region’s economic development, the company is using existing facilities to pSETTING RECORDS CVG has been serving says Boone County Judge/Executive Gary operate 18 aircraft based at CVG for a total commercial passengers since 1947 – almost 9 million passengers in 2018. It set local passenger Moore, attracting numerous companies of 36 daily flights. records in 16 of the last 17 months (through to invest in Northern Kentucky. And in “Our new Amazon Air hub, opening in September 2019 reported), establishing a new all-time recent years, parts of CVG’s thousands 2021, is part of our continued investment record for local passengers in June 2019, 426,246. It of acres of land has been leased to major in Prime to ensure we have the capacity has 175 peak-day flights to more than 50 nonstop firms who want to take advantage of the required for continued outstanding service destinations – and the lowest airfares in the region. region’s logistics expertise. for our customers,” said Sarah Rhoads, In 2017, online retail giant Amazon director of Amazon Air. “We’re proud to call announced a plan to build a $1.5 billion Kentucky home for our air hub.” several million people from Toronto all the shipping hub to serve its fleet of Prime When Amazon announced its plans, way down to Atlanta,” said Lee Crume, Air planes at CVG, creating 2,700 new CVG was already one of the fastest-growing Tri-ED president and CEO. “You just have jobs. Now under construction, the hub cargo airports in the United States – and this tremendous logistical reach by being is a “once-in-a-generation project” for the eighth-largest in North America. (Now, physically present in Northern Kentucky. the region, representing the largest the airport is the seventh largest.) But the When you look at these companies like capital investment in the past 30 years, Amazon investment helped solidify CVG – DHL and Amazon, especially Amazon, what according to Campbell County Judge/ and the Commonwealth of Kentucky – as you realize is that we have this really unique Executive Steve Pendery. one of the top logistics centers in the world. asset in CVG.” Amazon is leasing more than 1,100 acres Amazon joins several other logistics In 2016, CVG launched new land of CVG’s land to build more than 3 million companies doing business at or near CVG. development initiatives that attracted major s.f. of buildings for its hub, which ultimately Germany-headquartered DHL has its North employers, increased the airport’s revenue will support a fleet of more than 100 Prime American hub there, its second largest in and have benefitted the community. Since Air cargo planes. During construction, the world and one of three global “super then, CVG has partnered with companies hubs” from which DHL Express serves to develop more than 300 acres of property, 220 countries. Online furniture and home said Candace McGraw, chief executive Atlas Air expanding to help goods retailer Wayfair operates a 900,000- officer of CVG. meet Amazon demand s.f. fulfillment center on a 52-acre site near “The geographic position of CVG is a CVG. Bosch Automotive has a warehouse highly desirable and strategic location for Amazon contractor Atlas Air is expanding, adding 600 jobs over the next 10 years. The and distribution center there, too. Other land developers,” McGraw said in 2016 company is leasing a new facility near CVG. non-aeronautical companies operating at when two long-term leases were approved. Atlas, which employs 318 people at its facilities CVG include GE Aviation and logistics “These projects create win/win/win in Northern Kentucky, provides outsourced provider DB Schenker. opportunities for the airport, the community aircraft and aviation operations for customers around the globe. Companies like Wayfair “can set up a and developers. The airport receives new facility here and within a day they can access revenue streams, which lowers the cost

38 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com uHUGE INVESTMENT Kentucky’s location is one of the reasons why the online retailing behemoth Amazon has about a dozen sites in the state and began construction in 2019 on its $1.5 billion Prime Air cargo hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport – one of the largest economic development projects in Kentucky history. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos made a surprise guest appearance at the 2019 groundbreaking for the hub.

CVG by the numbers • CVG has a $4.4 billion impact on the local economy. It hopes to grow that number to $5.5 billion by 2021, according to CVG’s strategic plan. • More than 31,000 direct and indirect jobs are generated by CVG operations. • CVG moved more than 1.2 million tons of cargo in 2018. • Its operating budget for 2019 was $120 million. • The airport has 66 options for food/ beverage, retail and services in its terminal. 2018 while air fares have decreased 32% CINCINNATI/ during the same period.” NORTHERN CVG is keeping with the demand by KENTUCKY of operations for airlines and tenants, the continuing to invest in infrastructure INTERNATIONAL community sees job growth and economic AIRPORT improvements, such as its new rental car development, and developers have access to 3087 Terminal Dr. facility and customer service building, set over 75% of the U.S. population within 600 Hebron, KY 41048 to open in late 2021. The airport’s Master cvgairport.com miles of the airport.” Candace Plan sets forth a robust facility and capital CVG has been serving commercial CVG is embracing what’s next McGraw, CEO, plan that looks toward improvements Cincinnati passengers since 1947, with almost 9 as an essential part of the through 2050, including terminal region’s overall growth and Northern million passengers in 2018. It has 175 enhancements, airfield infrastructure success, serving more nonstop Kentucky peak-day flights to 53 nonstop airport destinations than any airport International investments and additional development destinations, including direct international in the Tri-State. CVG is one of Airport opportunities, McGraw said. service to Paris, Toronto, Cancun, Cozumel, the fastest-growing airports in “Projects under consideration the U.S. in both passenger and cargo traffic, and Montego Bay and others. It also has the include updating ticketing processing is one of three global super hubs for DHL and lowest airfares in the region. future home to Amazon Air Hub. and passenger facilitation, adding an The airport set local passenger records additional concessions hub and moving in 16 of the last 17 months (through international passenger screening to the In addition to Amazon, DHL and September 2019 reported), establishing a Main Terminal area,” she said. Wayfair, some of the major employers new all-time record for local passengers include: Groupon Fulfillment Center; in June 2019 (426,246). For five years UPS Supply Chain Solutions; FedEx in a row, CVG has experienced local ‘The Silicon Valley of Logistics’ Northern Kentucky is home to more than Ground Package System; Schwan’s Global passenger growth every month. 100 logistics companies. Thirty-nine Supply Chain; Total Quality Logistics; “We have had tremendous growth in percent of those are third-party logistics Levi Strauss & Co.; and Verst Logistics. our passenger and cargo operations over companies; 24% are distribution; 23% Family-owned Verst Logistics in Walton, the last five years, with CVG becoming are fulfillment; and 14% are eCommerce. Ky., has become a logistics powerhouse. one of the fastest growing airports in the Site Selection magazine named The third-party logistics company, founded United States for the last three years,” Northern Kentucky as the fifth-most in 1966 by William G. Verst, offers fully McGraw said. “Local passenger growth competitive location in North America for integrated transportation, warehousing, has increased 56% between 2015 to transportation and logistics. product fulfillment, contract packaging and eCommerce services for a wide range of consumer goods manufacturers in the food and beverage, alcohol and spirits, health and beauty, and automotive industries. Photo by CVG Each of William Verst’s seven children has worked in some capacity at the company, and in 1992, his son Paul took the

tAN ECONOMIC FORCE The Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is the seventh-largest cargo hub in the United States. It also has more flights, and lower-cost flights, than Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Lexington and Louisville. CVG is one of the region’s greatest assets, according to local economic development leaders. LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION helm as president and CEO. Since that time, “This region also provides us with access Verst Logistics has grown from a $18 million to top talent,” he said. “With many large company with 100 employees in two states corporations in the Tri-State (area), along to a $230 million company with 1,900 with multiple colleges and universities, a employees in five states, said Paul Verst, large part of our success has been driven by who now serves as chairman and CEO. top recruits from this area.” In addition to order fulfillment and TQL has offices in Erlanger, Lexington warehousing, Verst operates its own and Louisville, and is headquartered transportation fleet, offers transportation in Cincinnati. It has 150 employees in management services and has a real estate Northern Kentucky and more than 1,800 division. The company operates from 23 in the Greater Cincinnati region, Byrne said. different buildings. The second-largest freight brokerage firm Verst is a “one-stop shop” for logistics in North America, TQL coordinated more and supply chain services, and all of its than 1.6 million shipments last year for divisions have experienced tremendous customers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. growth in recent years, Paul Verst said. TQL is undergoing a major expansion “Since 2016, our sales have grown at its headquarters in Cincinnati. It will about 60%,” he said. house its new IT innovation center and In 2018, Verst opened a 396,000-s.f. accommodate 600 new employees. Photo by Verst eCommerce order fulfillment center in pONE-STOP SHOP Verst Logistics, a large Hebron near CVG, creating about 140 New jobs, expanded facilities third-party logistics company headquartered in new jobs. The facility uses fulfillment Logistics companies continue to invest in Walton, offers fully integrated transportation, distribution network planning technology Northern Kentucky. In late 2019, Coca- warehousing, product fulfillment, contract and specialized robotics called Lotus Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated opened packaging, and eCommerce services for a wide Robots that assist employees. Within six a $30 million, 300,000-s.f. sales and range of consumer goods manufacturers. Verst has experienced tremendous growth in the past four months, the building was 75% full. distribution facility in Erlanger, creating years. It opened a 396,000-s.f. eCommerce order The location of the fulfillment center, more than 430 full-time jobs. In March fulfillment center near CVG in 2018. By November in what Verst calls the “foremost logistics 2019, Control4, a global provider of of 2019, the facility was 75% full. corridor in the Midwest,” allows the smart home solutions, announced plans company to distribute products for its to open a fulfillment center near CVG. clients to 80% of the U.S. population In 2018, just nine months after There are nearly 80,000 logistics workers within 24 to 48 hours. opening a 674,000-s.f. distribution in the Greater Cincinnati area. The largest That logistical advantage is one of the center in Florence, Kroger announced an logistics employers are Amazon, Cengage reasons Verst and other logistics companies additional investment of $18 million to Learning, Castellini Group of Companies, choose Northern Kentucky as their home expand, purchase new equipment, upgrade DHL, FedEx Ground Package System, and are finding much success there. technology and add 250 full-time jobs to Groupon Fulfillment Center, Levi Strauss & Major logistics companies like DHL, support its eCommerce and digital services. Co., L’Oreal, Radial, Schwan’s Global Supply Wayfair, UPS and Amazon Prime have Schwan’s Co. has added new jobs in recent Chain, Total Quality Logistics, UPS Supply invested in Northern Kentucky because years, and BM2 Freight Services in 2018 Chain Solutions, Verst Logistics and Wayfair. of its strategic location along Interstate opened a new location in metro Chicago To help meet the industry demand 75 and quick access to CVG, which has near O’Hare Airport, the first office located for more skilled workers in the area’s more direct flights than any of its nearby outside its Cold Spring headquarters. burgeoning logistics sector, Northern competitors. The region is within a two- Cold Chain Integrity, a third-party Kentucky University in Highland Heights day drive of 90% of the U.S. population. logistics company that provides cold partnered with Rockwell Automation The location makes it desirable, said storage and transportation services for and CBT Co. to open a mechatronics Kerry Byrne, president of Total Quality the food, flavoring and pharmaceutical lab in 2019. It provides a real industrial Logistics (TQL), but it is not the only industries, invested $20 million to build automation environment for students to reason NKY has become a logistics and a new 115,000-s.f. ultra-low-temperature assemble, program and operate integrated transportation hub. public refrigerated facility at its existing manufacturing systems, preparing them for warehousing and distribution campus jobs in automation, control, instrumentation in Erlanger, creating 50 new jobs. The VERST LOGISTICS design and robotics areas. 300 Shorland Drive high-rise, high-density warehouse serves “Companies like Amazon, FedEx and Walton, KY 41094 existing large-scale customers and offers DHL are investing here to build hubs (800) 978-9307 public storage for local small-business and distribution centers, and they will verstlogistics.com owners and nonprofit organizations. continue to expand. Engineers are needed Verst is an Inbound In early 2019, Florence-based Legion to design and build the control systems Logistics Magazine Top 100 Paul T. Verst, Logistics acquired Qontinuity Enterprises, for these centers, and technologists to run asset-based 3PL providing President/CEO, a third-party logistics brokerage based in transportation, warehousing, them,” said Michael Schutte, Rockwell eCommerce fulfillment and Verst Logistics Dandridge, Tenn. Legion specializes in Automation account manager. packaging solutions for clients throughout servicing federal and state government the U.S. For over 50 years we have provided transportation contracts as well as the Roads, waterways and rails resources that help extend the expertise and automotive and building products capability of our customers. Northern Kentucky is located on the industries. north-south I-75 corridor connecting

40 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com C M

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© 2019 Verst Logistics 800-978-9307 | verstlogistics.com

© 2019 Verst Logistics

800-978-9307 | verstlogistics.com

© 2019 Verst Logistics 800-978-9307 | verstlogistics.com

© 2019 Verst Logistics

C M

Y K LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION uMODERN APPROACH Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK), which began providing transit services in 1972, has a regional mobile ticketing platform that allows customers to buy their bus fare directly through their mobile device. The app also allows passengers to purchase regional transit passes that work on TANK in Northern Kentucky as well as the other transit systems operating in the Northern Kentucky/ Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area.

Michigan to Florida. Two Class 1 railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, cross the region; and the Ports of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is the busiest inland river port in the United States, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Data Center. The Ports of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky includes 226.5 miles of commercially navigable waterways of the Southern, CSX and RailAmerica, which platform. Using the internationally Ohio River and Licking River in Kentucky. process over 100 trains per day. known app “Transit,” TANK customers The ports support more than 129 active CSX operates about 60 trains per day can now buy bus fare through their docks and terminals, moving an estimated through the area. Norfolk-Southern has mobile devices. The app allows 48 million tons of cargo annually. direct service to 22 states and Ontario, passengers to purchase regional transit More than 82,000 people are with an average of 35 to 40 trains per day passes for seamless travel with TANK in employed in transportation and material through the Northern Kentucky region. Northern Kentucky and the other transit moving occupations in the Cincinnati RailAmerica operates two short-line systems in the Northern Kentucky/ metropolitan statistical area (MSA), of railroads in the region: Indiana and Ohio Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. which Northern Kentucky is a part. Their Railroad and Central Railroad of Indiana. “Possibly the best part of the new average wage is $48,600, according to mobile ticketing app is the functionality information provided by Tri-ED. Public transportation to also plan your transit trip and track the Local leaders are working to make for nearly 50 years bus in real time,” Aiello said. improvements to the region’s roadways, Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky TANK plays an important role in hoping to ease traffic flow challenges. (TANK) has been providing transit helping Northern Kentucky host signature Topping the list is relieving the load on services in the region since 1972. It events. TANK provided enhanced public the aging Brent Spence Bridge, which serves 35 cities in Boone, Campbell transportation services during BLINK, a carries north-south traffic for Interstates and Kenton counties, with 11,000 daily light-based art festival held in October 2019 71 and 75 across the Ohio River. When riders. It had 3.2 million bus riders in that welcomed more than 1 million people it was built in 1963, the bridge carried 2018 and revenues of $23.2 million. to downtown Covington and Cincinnati. 80,000 vehicles a day. Now, more than To stay relevant and effective, TANK Using its Southbank Shuttle, TANK 170,000 vehicles cross it daily. It is has had to continually adjust to the provided approximately 20,000 transit trips known for traffic jams and crashes. transportation needs of the community, to and from BLINK. Northern Kentucky leaders already have said Andrew C. Aiello, general manager. worked with state and federal officials to In 2019, TANK launched a system LOGISTICS COMPANIES establish an east-west corridor to bypass redesign study to help ensure that its Amazon and Amazon Prime Air some of the traffic on the overworked system remains efficient and effective. Hebron bridge to other available bridges. Northern Officials are examining how people want Aries Global Logistics Kentucky’s roads received a major shot to use a combination of transit and “shared Crestview Hills in the arm in June 2018 in the form of a ride” services to help workers who need B & B Transportation Inc. $67.5 million INFRA grant awarded to the transportation to and from their jobs. More Burlington Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) than 1,400 people responded in fall 2019 Bluegrass Diesel Specialists, Inc. for I-71/I-75 improvements in to TANK’s request for feedback about the Burlington Boone County. The total future estimated future of the bus system. BM2 Freight Services Walton cost of the project is $150.9 million, “As population and employment Carlisle & Bray according to a KYTC press release. In patterns change, TANK needs to adjust Covington addition to the INFRA grant, a combination the bus system so that the community’s CEVA Logistics of traditional state and federal funds, as investment is maximized,” Aiello said. Hebron well as local Boone County Fiscal Court When the redesign is completed, Complete Forklift Repair funds and private funds, will pay for the TANK will be a more sustainable transit Corinth remainder of the project. system with better access to the region’s DACHSER Transport of America, Inc. The region is served by three largest employment centers, he said. Burlington intermodal terminals and three train TANK modernized service in fall 2019 DHL Express (USA) Inc. classification yards, including Norfolk- by adding a regional mobile ticketing Erlanger

42 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com DHL Global Forwarding Sandvik Americas Distribution Center TRANSIT AUTHORITY Hebron Hebron OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY FedEx Ground SEKO Logistics Cincinnati 3375 Madison Pike Independence Florence Fort Wright, KY 41017 Fisher Scientific Southern Air (859) 331-8265 Florence Florence tankbus.org FITS Enterprises Stett Transportation, Inc. Transit Authority of FITS Trailer Leasing, LLC Fort Mitchell Northern Kentucky is Walton Team Worldwide CVG the public transportation Inland Marine Service Erlanger provider for Boone, Kenton, Andrew Aiello, General Hebron Total Quality Logistics and Campbell Counties. TANK routes connect Manager, Kuehne + Nagel, Inc. Erlanger Transit Erlanger people to jobs, helping the Two Men and a Truck companies in our region Authority LeanCor LLC Northern Kentucky meet their workforce needs. of Northern Florence Erlanger TANK strives to meet the Kentucky Legion Logistics LLC UPS Freight transportation needs of Florence Cincinnati the entire community, providing nearly 3.5 McLane Foodservice Distribution UPS Supply Chain Solutions million work, school and other lifeline trips Hebron Hebron per year. It’s TANK’s mission to provide safe, reliable, customer-oriented transportation Merchants Cold Storage LLC Verst Logistics for the people of our community, and TANK Walton Walton will continue to be committed to providing NNR Global Logistics USA, Inc. Vista Packaging & Logistics transportation services that address the current Erlanger Hebron and future needs of the community. Panalpina Inc. VR Transportation, Inc. Erlanger Hebron Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky PEI – Dynamic Supply Chain This is not a comprehensive list. International Airport (CVG) Solutions, LLC Information provided by Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Hebron Florence Red Bike Pilot Freight Services TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES Erlanger Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky AAA Florence Taxi Service TANK (Transit Authority R.L. Swearer Co., Inc. Florence of Northern Kentucky) Erlanger l At Your Service Taxi Fort Wright Safe Ship Northern Kentucky Newport Fort Thomas HEALTH CARE Sponsored by Big investments, better care Partnerships help St. Elizabeth expand its footprint in NKY, assist more patients

BY GREG PAETH

T. Elizabeth Healthcare and Sun Behavioral Health opened the doors for their 197-bed behavioral health Shospital in Erlanger early in 2018. Last September, St. Elizabeth, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Northern Kentucky University cut the ribbon in Highland Heights for UK’s second four-year regional campus in the state and welcomed an inaugural class of 35 medical students. If everything goes as planned, the dominant health care provider in Northern Kentucky will open a $140 million cancer center in August, an event that will make St. Elizabeth a major player in the business of cancer care in highly competitive Greater Cincinnati and beyond. These three projects represent some of the most significant steps forward for St. Elizabeth, which is expected to have The well-respected magazine that pRAISING AWARENESS In 2018 during revenues of more than $1 billion for 2019 has examined hospital care for 30 years Lung Cancer Awareness Month, St. Elizabeth and ranks among the top four or five ranked St. Elizabeth second-best in the Healthcare thoracic surgeon Dr. Royce Calhoun narrated a complex lung cancer surgery he hospital systems in Greater Cincinnati, state when it assessed how the hospital previously performed, live on Facebook. the 29th largest metropolitan market in performed in 16 specialties. the country with a population of more “Being number two to UK is nothing than 2.1 million. to be ashamed of and not too long ago St. Elizabeth has 120 locations, we were number one. We have gone back Cincinnati and number seven in Ohio, including hospitals, five emergency and forth with UK a couple of times,” the magazine reported. rooms, clinics and doctors’ offices in said Garren Colvin, president and CEO With the opening of the cancer center Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana and treated of the healthcare system. Colvin was less than a year away, Colvin made it clear upwards of 315,000 patients over a one- referring to the University of Kentucky that St. Elizabeth has made cancer care year period, the hospital said. Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, one of its top priorities. Based on an analysis by U.S. News and which U.S. News and World Report “August is when we will occupy the World Report, St. Elizabeth is doing far named the number one hospital in 2019. new building, but we started our new more than just rolling out a seemingly Cincinnati’s Christ Hospital, one of program long before we will open the endless array of new programs that St. Elizabeth’s biggest competitors in the doors,” Colvin said. “We have already produce impressive numbers. region, was the top-ranked hospital in implemented a CT lung screening program and we just surpassed our 10,000th lung CT screen, which is probably one of the top three programs in the country when you look at volume. “Unfortunately, we’re in Kentucky, a hot spot for lung cancer. But what we have seen is a significant reduction in stage 3 and 4 cancers and a significant increase in stage 1 and 2,” said Colvin, pointing out that the stage 1 and 2 cancers usually can be cured while the more advanced cancers often resist treatment.

tUNDER CONSTRUCTION St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s $140 million cancer center, shown in this rendering, is under construction

Courtesy of St. Elizabeth in Edgewood.

44 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com

HEALTH CARE

St. Elizabeth reaches notable lung cancer screening milestone

N November, St. Elizabeth Healthcare performed its 10,000th lung screening, a significant and rare milestone only held by Ia handful of other systems in the country. The system’s estimated rolling 12-month completion rate for eligible patients is over 25%, exceeding the national average of less than 5%, based on 2016 data presented at the 2018 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. Kentucky ranks worst in the country for lung cancer diagnosis and death rates, according to 2018 data from the North American Association of Central Cancer The American Cancer Society estimated pTREATING THE REGION St. Elizabeth Registries reported by the American Cancer that 26,400 Kentuckians would be Healthcare Edgewood in suburban Kenton County Society. Based on the most recent rates diagnosed with lung cancer this year and is home to the largest of the chain’s individual published for the current American Joint hospitals, with 510 beds and a staff of more than that 10,580 would die from the disease. 3,600 people. In 2018, the healthcare system Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging Colvin also made it clear that St. treated approximately 315,000 patients at about system, when lung cancer is diagnosed and Elizabeth is enthusiastic about the 120 hospitals, clinics and offices in Kentucky, Ohio treated early (Stage I), the five-year survival medical students who are in their first and Indiana. rate can exceed 90%. This is all the more important since Kentucky is consistently year at the Highland Heights campus. one of the top two states in smoking rates, “What’s amazing is the level of talent For 2017, the law firm that represents according to 2018 CDC data. we were able to attract in this first class,” St. Elizabeth said that 1,566 people died “That’s why we have stepped up to solve Colvin said. “They will complete their of opioid overdoses in the state while 782 a problem that’s right here,” shared Dr. Doug first two years of book work and the third were killed in auto accidents. Flora, executive medical director of oncology and fourth year will be their clinicals and Yet another opioid abuse program is services at St. Elizabeth. “We want our those will take place in our system. We’re in place at NKU, where staff members are patients, their families and the community excited to be part of it.” working with two grants that total $1.8 to do more than recognize Lung Cancer The next step will be developing million for programs that are scheduled to Awareness Month in November – let’s get residency programs so that at least some run through 2022. One grant covers the more area residents screened and save lives.” The lung screening is a low-dose CT of the graduates might be convinced to costs for substance use disorder prevention, scan that has now identified about 100 lung practice medicine in Northern Kentucky, treatment and recovery assistance in cancers under Stage 3. Early detection offers Colvin said. Owen County, according to Valerie Gray more options, namely allowing St. Elizabeth The hospital system also has entered Hardcastle, St. Elizabeth Healthcare surgeons and their teams to remove the the battle against opioid abuse in at least Executive Director of the Institute for Health tumors and often spare lung cancer patients three different ways. Innovation at NKU. the need for chemotherapy. For patients The Sun Behavioral Health Hospital, The other grant enables the institute who are not surgical candidates, the radiation for which St. Elizabeth is a partner, treats to develop online training for substance oncology team also has excellent means to patients with mental health issues as use disorder Peer Support Specialists, eradicate the cancer. well as addictions that may be linked to allowing the program to thrive in rural “By finding these tumors at an earlier Stage 1 or 2, we are seeing a ‘stage personality disorders. areas, Hardcastle said. migration’ shift. Pinpointing tumors at lower The hospital also teamed up in “For 2020, we are also hoping to stages significantly increases chances of September with 22 other hospitals in launch a new initiative which will better survival,” said Dr. Michael Gieske, medical the state to file a lawsuit against the integrate law enforcement and the director of lung cancer screening at St. manufacturers, distributors and retailers justice system from our rural counties of Elizabeth. “The screenings are already of opioid-based drugs. Northern Kentucky into the substance extending and saving lives.” “I can tell you the why (for filing the use disorder treatment and recovery St. Elizabeth has recruited and developed suit),” Colvin said. “When we started continuum,” she said. a large multidisciplinary team to combat tracking the millions and millions of dollars Although there’s no question that St. lung cancer, led by highly qualified lung that we have spent on this issue … we felt Elizabeth is the dominant healthcare cancer surgeons, radiologists, pulmonologists, primary care physicians, nurse navigators we needed to figure out if we could be a provider in Northern Kentucky, it’s and medical and radiation oncologists. part of the lawsuit in order to get funds to difficult to determine how many people Under their direction, a comprehensive lung help people who were addicted recover. It’s receive care at satellites of Cincinnati cancer screening program was built that really a volume issue. The volume of people hospitals that are scattered throughout is among the country’s most robust and addicted far outweighs the amount of Northern Kentucky. successful. Early on, St. Elizabeth obtained services that we can provide, and so we felt The well-respected Christ Hospital and continues to maintain certifications that if the manufacturers were interested in has a family care office in Fort Mitchell as a Screening Center of Excellence and a settling we wanted to be in the forefront of and a sprawling outpatient center in Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence. any settlement.” Fort Wright. l

46 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com KENTUCKY’S WORKFORCE is changing

Be In Demand

KET’s new In Demand videos and resources explore Kentucky’s five high-demand industries, highlighting education and experience needed to get these jobs, average pay, work environment, and projected number of job openings over a five-year period.

Advanced Manufacturing | Business & IT Construction | Healthcare | Transportation & Logistics

Find out more at KET.org/InDemand

KET’s In Demand videos were developed in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment. FINANCIAL SERVICES Robust economic expansion Region’s banks growing to keep up with demand created by economic development in NKY

BY GREG PAETH

OU don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to find a bank in the Northern Kentucky-Cincinnati Ymetropolitan market, where 62 financial institutions have some 700 offices with nearly $139 billion on deposit in a region that includes seven counties in Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati and its Ohio suburbs, and a slender slice of southeast Indiana. The abundance of financial services in the state’s largest metropolitan area dovetails perfectly with a region that has an economy that’s among the fastest- growing in the Midwest, according to the most recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The bureau said metropolitan Cincinnati’s 2.4 percent growth rate was fourth-best in a five-state region based on data that was scrutinized for 2017. As might be expected in a region where financial services competition is fierce, some players in the region are later, Heritage said it had purchased the pBANKING BONANZA While customers can huge. naming rights for what had been U.S. still expect hometown service, clients and banking Bank Arena in downtown Cincinnati, a centers in Northern Kentucky also benefit from a JPMorgan Chase has 34 of its nearly next-door location to one of the nation’s largest 5,000 offices in the metro area and 17,000-seat sports and concert venue that metropolises. reports worldwide assets of $2.8 trillion, overlooks the Ohio River. a figure that includes roughly $2.5 billion The arena was rechristened the in Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky, where . “It’s just the start of our push to Chase ranks sixth in deposits and has “With Rob and the arena, there’s a increase our profile throughout our home slightly less than a two percent share pretty good tie in and we’re not that region,” added Allison Dubbs, senior vice of the market, according to the Federal well known on the Cincinnati side of president for marketing. Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). the (Ohio) river,” said interim president WesBanco, which ranks 15th by As a whole, two banks with long Lee Scheben. “We think this will put market share, also has made it clear that histories in Cincinnati – U.S. Bank (52.5 us in a position to grow our market as it is a serious competitor in the region percent) and Fifth Third (26.5 percent) one of the last independent banks in the and elsewhere in the state. – rank first and second for market share region.” WesBanco, which waded into in a region that is home to nearly 2.2 Scheben said Heritage recorded Cincinnati in 2005 with the acquisition million people and ranks 29th in the substantial growth in 2015 after the locally of Cincinnati’s Winton Savings and Loan, country by population. owned Bank of Kentucky was acquired has more than a dozen offices in the But the major multi-state players that by BB&T, which has its headquarters in region after the purchase and rebranding rank one through nine in the FDIC data Winston-Salem, N.C. (Just four years later, early in 2019 of Frankfort-based United may be paying far more attention to 10th- BB&T and Sun Trust Banks of Atlanta have Bank and Capital Trust, which had place Heritage Bank in 2020. merged and operate as Truist Financial, the acquired Citizens Bank of Northern Heritage, which is headquartered sixth-largest bank in the U.S.) Kentucky just two years earlier. in Erlanger and emphasizes its Heritage, with two offices north of The West Virginia-based bank’s locally owned and carefully nurtured the river and 17 offices in Northern expansion in the metropolitan area “community bank” image, made two Kentucky, emphasizes its “community mirrors its growth elsewhere in Kentucky, major announcements late last year that bank” status. where it first began to do business in signal it isn’t satisfied with 10th place. “We’re not going after the $20 million, September of 2016, according to Louis A. In October, Heritage announced $30 million and $40 million deals. We’ve Fender, senior vice president and market that Rob Braun, the well-known former got a nice niche in the market,” Scheben manager for southwest Ohio. news anchor for the CBS-TV affiliate in said. “We’re not changing what we do “We closed the Farmers Capital/United Cincinnati, had signed on as the bank’s just because we put up a banner on a Bank agreement and during the span corporate spokesman. Less than a month big building.” of two years we went from having no

48 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com uINVESTED IN THE REGION Heritage Bank, headquartered in Erlanger, ranks No. 10 in the region by market share and had deposits of about $806 million. The bank recently purchased the naming rights to the former U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, renaming it Heritage Bank Center.

HERITAGE BANK 1818 Florence Pike (Home Office) Burlington, KY 41005 (859) 586-9200 heritagebank-ky.com

Heritage Bank was founded to ensure the people of this region have access to Chris Caddell, a bank fully committed to Chairman, the communities where Heritage Bank they are building their lives and livelihoods. In an age of rampant consolidation, acquisition and automation, Heritage Bank wanted a better bank for their family and friends, so they built it. presence in the state to being top ten in deposit market share,” Fender said. Market-leading U.S. Bank, the fifth- customers to bank when, where and how Fender and Mark Tranbarger, city largest bank in the country, also pays they want to bank,” said John Fickle, president for Northern Kentucky, both plenty of attention to technology as more consumer and business banking market said an expanding economy, a wealth and more of its customers make it clear leader for Cincinnati. of new jobs and what is expected to that avoiding bank teller lines is a high That technology includes a small be population growth to fill those jobs priority. business loan portal that can greenlight create more demand for consumer and “We have to stay a step ahead on a loan inside of a few hours and other commercial financial services. the digital side because we want our online tools that greatly reduce the amount

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calls “universal bank employees” will be and improving the financial lives of our CIVISTA BANK “more consultative” and work at desks customers,” he said. 300 Buttermilk Pike Suite 103 and “stations” where there’s no barrier Central Bank market president Jim Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 between employees and customers. Uebel said the last five years in Northern (800) 604-9368 Civista Bank, headquartered in Kentucky have been “phenomenal and civista.bank Sandusky, Ohio, operates 38 locations we’ve grown the balance sheet many Civista Bank offers a throughout Northern, Central and times over.” The Lexington-based uniquely local commitment Mark Sams, Southwestern Ohio, along with locations bank entered the market in 2005 and to relationship banking Market in two Indiana counties. The $2.1 billion opened its fourth office in the region combined with over 135 Executive years of experience and organization moved into Kentucky in in explosively growing Union in Boone strength. A commitment built on knowing 2018, when Civista acquired United County early in 2019. you personally, making local decisions, and Community Bancorp, which had a loan He said the bank is searching for the delivering the services to meet your daily and production office in Fort Mitchell. right location in Campbell County now future financial needs with ease. The Civista team of personal, business, mortgage, wealth Civista celebrated its 135th that it has a firm toehold in Kenton and management and private banking professionals anniversary in early 2019. When it Boone counties. provides trusted financial solutions tailored to opened its doors in 1884, the financial There’s no big mystery about financial each client. With over $2.2 billion in assets institution had four employees. It now services growth in the region, Uebel said. and 38 offices across Ohio, Southeastern Indiana and Northern Kentucky, Civista is has more than 400. “With the growth of Amazon and distinctively sized to serve a broad range of “Over the past 135 years, Civista has DHL and other companies … there are small business commercial clients and their continued to grow and transform itself opportunities because there’s a need for employees and families. into a premier financial services company multi-family and single-family homes, while maintaining its commitment to commercial office space and more of time it takes to get decisions on home relationship-banking and making a industrial space. I think things are just equity or mortgage loans, Fickle said. difference in all the communities we serve,” starting as we try to find enough homes In February, U.S. Bank, based in said Dennis G. Shaffer, CEO and president. (for people filling newly created jobs),” Minneapolis but founded in Cincinnati in Digital transformation is a critical and he said. 1863, will open what Fickle describes as ongoing initiative in the banking industry, Tom Saelinger sounded equally “the bank of the future” at 406 Buttermilk said Mark Sams, Civista’s market executive optimistic about how job growth will Pike in Fort Mitchell, an upscale suburb for the Greater Cincinnati region. fuel the expansion of Republic Bank, the just south of Covington. There will be no “Civista Bank is continually evolving Louisville-based institution that debuted teller line in the new office, and what he to meet the needs of our communities in Northern Kentucky in 2006. Trusted Solutions.

Zachery Bailey Greg Corsmeier Private Banking Mortgage Lending Focused on You. NMLS# 869670 NMLS# 643600 859.320.1254 859.320.1252 You can count on Civista Bank to bring creative, customized solutions and prompt Over answers to your business and personal banking needs. Our experienced team is focused on $1 billion your ongoing success and the growth of the in loans outstanding to communities we call home. commercial businesses. Whether you want to finance a project, Kevin Garrett David Stringer purchase new inventory or buy a new Commercial Banking Commercial Banking 859.320.1253 859.320.1251 home, our primary goal is to help you achieve yours. Learn more at civista.bank

Mark Sams Commercial Banking 300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 103 812.496.0704 Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 800.604.9368 Member FDIC NMLS# 412766

19CZN69 CommBankAd_7x4.875_r1.indd 1 11/18/19 4:17 PM 50 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com Republic has three offices south of Altus Wealth Management, LLC the river and a fourth in Cincinnati that Fort Mitchell CENTRAL BANK & TRUST CO. opened in 2016. It opened a second Ohio Apprisen 7310 Turfway Road, Suite 200 Florence Florence, KY 41042 location in the Cincinnati suburb of West (859) 905-5502 Chester in early 2020. Aviatra Accelerators centralbank.com Covington “Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Baird Private Wealth Management With more than 73 years are a key market for the bank and we’re Fort Mitchell, Cincinnati of service to Kentuckians, continuing to invest in the region with Central Bank is one Bannockburn Global Forex, LLC brick and mortar as well as talented Cincinnati of Kentucky’s leading Jim Uebel, bankers. There are a lot of good-paying community banks. Market Bartlett Wealth Management It provides banking, President, jobs and people are moving into the area Cincinnati investment, insurance, Central Bank for new opportunities with companies BB&T mortgage and wealth like Amazon and DHL. There are Crestview Hills management services for both personal and business needs. Central Bank is honored to be also additional jobs with supporting Bottom Line Services Fort Mitchell one of Kentucky’s Best Places to Work and the companies,” Saelinger said. “There’s just a Official Bank of UK Athletics. Visit one of its natural growth and economic expansion The Catalytic Development Funding convenient locations in Florence, Fort Mitchell, with a lot of momentum right now on Corp. Crestview Hills or Union. Covington both sides of the river.” Central Bank The financial services sector in Florence Cove Federal Credit Union Northern Kentucky is flush with banks, Chase Edgewood credit unions, advisors and investment Cincinnati Eagle Financial Services Inc. specialists to ensure the earning, flow and Citi Multiple locations investment of dollars is done wisely. Florence Edward Jones Here are some of the financial advisors Citizens Deposit Bank Edgewood, Erlanger and banking institutions in the Northern Fort Wright Envoy Mortgage Ltd. Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region: Citizens Federal Savings & Loan Crestview Hills Association FFR Wealth Team Covington Covington Allied Financial Solutions Florence Civista Bank Fidelity Investments Fort Mitchell Covington AlphaMark Advisors Fort Wright Commonwealth Bank & Trust Co. Florence

73 YEARS OF SERVING KENTUCKY.

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Fifth Third Bank Merrill Lynch Multiple branches Fort Mitchell First Financial Bank Morris & Bressler PSC Multiple locations Florence Focus On Success Northern Kentucky Educators’ Fort Mitchell Federal Credit Union Forcht Bank Highland Heights Covington, Cincinnati Odyssey Financial Advisors – Fourth Street Performance Partners, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. Covington Edgewood OMEGA Processing Solutions LLC FTJ Fund Choice LLC pTRANSFORMATION The BB&T building in Fort Thomas Hebron Covington was transformed by color and pattern Guardian Savings Bank Option Financial LLC when BLINK Cincinnati returned for its second year Multiple branches Fort Mitchell in 2019. The light festival spanned 30 city blocks across Heritage Bank PNC Bank two cities and featured more than 100 art installations. Multiple branches Cincinnati BB&T and Sun Trust Banks of Atlanta recently merged to operate as Truist Financial. Huntington National Bank Polaris Home Funding Corp. Florence Cold Spring Kemba Financial Credit Union Primerica Florence Fort Wright U.S. Bank Multiple locations Kentucky Federal, A Division of Principled Wealth Advisors LLC Cincinnati Federal Covington Union Home Mortgage Corp. Covington Prosperity Financial Group Fort Mitchell Kentucky Land Title Agency Inc. Fort Mitchell Victory Community Bank Fort Mitchell Renaissance Investment Management Fort Mitchell L & N Federal Credit Union Covington Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Erlanger, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright Republic Bank Fort Mitchell Legacy Financial Advisors Covington WesBanco Covington Rippe Financial Group Multiple locations Covington Wurz Financial Services MCF Advisors l Covington Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company Covington Cincinnati, OH MCM CPA & Advisors Information provided by Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Cincinnati Stockton Mortgage Corp. Not a comprehensive list. Florence

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513.579.1717 | www.mcmcpa.com BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Frontline back-office skills Strong professional services sector supports growth of region’s key industries

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ROM accounting and IT services to brand marketing and waste disposal and more, Northern Kentucky is Fstocked with business and professional services talent to help meet the needs of the region’s key industries – advanced logistics, eCommerce and manufacturing, among others. A strong professional services sector is crucial to the local economy and plays a large role in recruiting companies to Northern Kentucky, said Lee Crume, president and CEO of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, the region’s economic development corporation. “Professional services are incredibly important and Northern Kentucky has a strong presence of IT consulting, accounting and legal firms in the region,” Crume said. “These services are especially important when our economic development team is working with foreign companies – they want to know that they can find trusted and such as human resources and payroll pSUPPORT SERVICES The Northern experienced advisors locally.” services; accounting services and financial Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region is rife with business and professional services firms that help The professional services sector has software; managed IT and cybersecurity meet the needs of the region’s key industries. seen steady growth in recent years, and needs; financial advisory expertise; it has been identified as one of several and national marketing and brand optimal business clusters for the region development skill. including 35 CPAs, providing specialized by local economic development leaders. Business and professional services tax, audit and advisory services to a broad Service firms provide back-office support, is one of the optimal business targets range of clients and industries. identified in Covington’s economic “Many of our clients in the area have MCM CPAS & ADVISORS development strategy. The plan, international business needs or are in the 201 East Fifth Street developed by consulting firm Garner hospitality, real estate or construction Suite 2100 Economics of Atlanta, said “All Things industries,” said Brad Smith, MCM Cincinnati, OH 45202 Office” and new-collar jobs are optimal managing partner. “Northern Kentucky (513) 579-1717 mcmcpa.com targets for Covington’s recruiting is a great region for growing a business efforts. Those companies include with its talented workforce, real estate MCM is a regional business and administrative services; opportunities and international airport.” accounting firm that exists to help both its clients and creative design and services; software MCM’s clients are from all over the team succeed. It provides Brad Smith, publishers; IT and computer systems U.S. and world. The firm offers expertise a wide range of services Managing design; data processing and hosting; in audit and assurance services, tax and expertise in audit, Partner, internet publishing and web portals; planning, business valuation, litigation tax and business advisory MCM CPAs that go beyond traditional & Advisors financial, insurance and health care support, fraud examination, business accounting services to help technology and related customer service; startup and consulting for non-profit, our clients thrive. MCM architectural and engineering services; public and privately held organizations, helps privately and publicly held businesses and logistics consulting. and individuals. It has six offices in and individuals across the region, and throughout the country, identify opportunities Both small and large CPA firms Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, and expects and anticipate challenges, from all angles. Our provide services in Northern Kentucky, to expand its regional footprint. clients receive personalized attention and local from family-owned companies to firms “We want to be problem solvers who access from national-level talent. with footprints in multiple states. come up with solutions and help clients MCM is regularly recognized as one of the United States’ top 100 CPA firms, as ranked MCM CPAs & Advisors, one of the navigate the opportunities and challenges annually by Accounting Today and Inside largest CPA firms in Kentucky, also serves that keep them up at night,” Smith said. Public Accounting (IPA). Its offices are located the Greater Cincinnati region. It has 65 The firm offers a more individualized Cincinnati, OH; Louisville and Lexington, KY; staff members in its Cincinnati office (also and holistic approach to solving those and Indianapolis and Jeffersonville, IN. serving clients in Northern Kentucky), challenges, he said.

lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 53 BUSINESS SERVICES uINVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY C-Forward, an IT consulting company with its headquarters in downtown Covington, recently had a large mural painted on its building to raise awareness for the Read Ready Covington initiative, an early literacy program that aims to increase the percentage of children both who enter kindergarten prepared to do the work and who are reading on grade level by the end of the third grade.

MCM had many changes and much growth in 2019. Smith was named managing partner and the former managing partner assumed the role of executive chairman. The firm also Photo courtesy of C-Forward adopted a new brand identity and launched a new website. Some of the other local accounting C-Forward recently sponsored two huge “We wanted a more up-to-date firms include: Van Gorder, Walker & Co. Northern Kentucky tourism events, identity that communicated our history, in Erlanger; Thomas Lonnemann CPA Kentucky’s Edge and BLINK. core values and the new energy that will in Florence; Anneken, Huey & Moser “There is so much excitement and drive us forward in our mission to help in Highland Heights; Bressler & Co. in momentum in Northern Kentucky right both our team and clients succeed,” Covington; Munninghoff, Lange & Co. in now,” said Brian Ruschman, president of Smith said. Covington; and others. C-Forward. “We are proud to be a part of BKD CPAs & Advisors is another it all.” firm that serves the region, providing tax Mailing, information Another technology services provider accounting and audit solutions to clients in technology and more in the region is Vivitec in Fort Mitchell. construction, real estate, financial services, From mailing to IT needs and more, there’s Vivitec began in 2015, and its team health care, manufacturing, not-for-profit, a service firm for that in Northern Kentucky. specializes in cybersecurity services hospitality and insurance industries. BKD Located in Florence since 1992, and completely managed IT. Its entire staff members are involved in the Greater DataMark Mailing Services is a full-service approach is to be easy to work with, earn Cincinnati community, volunteering mailing house that specializes in direct trust, deliver business value, minimize with community service organizations mail marketing, mailing lists, fulfillment issues, and secure information and assets. and serving on numerous boards and and data processing, among other services. Titan Tech, a Cincinnati-based firm, committees. Across the river in Cincinnati, Addressed for started in 2006 with a mission to help CPA and business advisory firm Success is a full-service printing and direct individuals and small businesses make VonLehman & Co. was founded in mail company serving the region since the most of their technology investments. 1946. It has offices in Fort Wright as 1995. Newport-based Steinhauser, a fourth- It designs custom-built, cost-effective and well as Cincinnati and Indianapolis. generation family business that is now comprehensive IT solutions. In addition to accounting and audit 100% woman-owned, is a printer of custom Red Hawk Technologies in Newport has services, VonLehman offers strategic labels for consumer packaged goods. grown 450% since it was established in May business advice to several sectors that If sustainability is your goal, Close 2008. Its 12 employees have experience drive the regional economy, including the Loop in Hebron helps companies working at the intersection of marketing manufacturing and distribution, enhance corporate social responsibility and technology. The company specializes construction and real estate, nonprofits, programs. It designs and manages in workflow automation, sales enablement health care, and professional services. highly efficient ink and toner take-back, and system integration. It also serves as recovery, and reuse programs, and helps the outsourced innovation team for several KENTUCKY EMPLOYERS’ companies find ways to minimize waste. client IT and marketing teams. MUTUAL INSURANCE (KEMI) Best Way Disposal in Burlington Some of the other IT-related providers 250 W. Main St., Suite 900, Lexington, KY 40507-1724 specializes in the collection and in Northern Kentucky include: ISOCNET (859) 425-7800 transportation of commercial, industrial, in Florence; EMERGE IT Solutions in kemi.com construction and demolition waste. It has Erlanger; Prolocity in Covington; 3z.net updated its fleet to fully automated trucks in Covington; Systems Insight Inc. of Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) is the for commercial and residential collection, Covington; Nexigen of Newport; and largest provider of workers’ which reduced its total number of trucks CMIT Solutions of Florence. compensation insurance on the road and lowered emissions. Northern Kentucky companies also in Kentucky, providing Informatics is a burgeoning sector in benefit from the proximity to large coverage to more than 23,000 policyholders in all Jon Stewart, Northern Kentucky, and the region is rich professional services agencies located 120 counties of the state. President/CEO in information technology services firms across the river in Cincinnati, Tri-ED’s We provide exceptional to meet those needs. Crume said. underwriting, safety education and claims services C-Forward based in Covington “With the Kroger and Procter & Gamble to our policyholders. This, combined with our competitive pricing, responsible financial provides IT consulting services to small headquarters across the river, we have a management and a focus on innovation, makes and midsize businesses. strong community of consumer branding, KEMI the provider of choice for Kentucky The company is active in the analytics and consulting services that are businesses. We are proud to have earned and maintained an “excellent” rating by A.M. Best. community, sponsoring events and attractive to many of the companies in investing in the region’s growth. Northern Kentucky,” he said. l

54 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com

LEGAL SERVICES Growing legal hub BGD merging; firms growing because of increased economic development

tLEGAL HUB The modern Kenton County Justice Center in Covington houses Circuit, District and Family Court operations as well as the Circuit/ District Clerk’s office and many other related functions of the court systems.

execute on these growth aspirations, we will continue to analyze the best way to serve Northern Kentucky, including the potential for re-establishing a separate office in the area,” Arnett said. “I congratulate them (Dentons) on coming to an arrangement with such a fine firm,” said Dinsmore chairman and managing partner George H. Vincent, whose Cincinnati-based firm was established in 1908. While Dentons said it is in the process of building a national law firm, Dinsmore already describes itself as such, with 650 attorneys in 25 cities who are licensed to practice in 32 states and the District of Columbia. Some 240 of those attorneys work in the Cincinnati and Covington offices. Dinsmore also has offices in Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville. BY GREG PAETH to the golden spike that was used to “The Dentons question is interesting, and symbolize the completion of the country’s the jury is out on the long-term impact of HETHER you’ve bought a transcontinental railroad in 1869. BGD’s acquisition,” said J. Stephen Smith, ticket or not, Kentucky will Bradley C. Arnett, managing partner president of the Kentucky Bar Association have a front row seat in 2020 for BGD in the Cincinnati metro area, was and an attorney at Cincinnati-based forW round one of a high-stakes battle that predictably enthusiastic. Graydon Law, where he is the firm’s market may reshape how law is practiced in the “At launch, the combined Dentons leader for Northern Kentucky, United States. firm will have offices in 33 U.S. markets, “There is one view that Dentons’ entry Metropolitan Cincinnati, which including nine of the 10 largest markets into our market poses an existential includes Northern Kentucky, and and 14 of the top 20,” Arnett said in an threat to traditional Kentucky firms, Louisville and Lexington all have at least email. “Its headcount of nearly 1,100 and another that might view the move one thing in common: high-profile offices lawyers will make it the 10th largest law as acknowledgement that our market is for Bingham Greenebaum Doll (BGD), firm in the U.S. Clients will have access growing very quickly. The reality is likely the well-established and influential law to the experience and talents of more somewhere in the middle,” Smith said firm that announced in October that it than 10,000 lawyers in 181 locations and in an email. “Kentucky law firms were would become part of Dentons, a global 73 countries across the globe.” already competing with BGD lawyers, law firm that has just under 10,000 “In the Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington and a new name on the door does lawyers on its staff. and Indianapolis markets (as well as in not change that concept. If activity in That’s right, 10,000 lawyers, and about Evansville and Jasper, Indiana), we will be Kentucky is attracting the Dentons of the 1,100 of them will be in the United States known as Dentons Bingham Greenebaum,” world to put down roots here, that is a once BGD and its 200 lawyers and about he explained. “Importantly, the rate structure good thing. It says good things about the 150 more from Pittsburgh’s Cohen and for our clients will remain intact, as we will commonwealth.” Grigsby merge into Dentons early this have local autonomy of client rates and Based on what Smith and other year, in what is described as the first step relationships.” attorneys had to say about the legal toward creating an international law firm. Growing the Cincinnati office, where services business in the metropolitan area There’s nothing modest about BGD has five lawyers, is a top priority, he during the last year, Dentons is moving Dentons’ ambitions. said. into a region where there’s plenty of Dentons, whose roots are in London “Our current goal is to grow to 40 business – and attorneys. in 1742, has announced that its effort to 50 lawyers here as fast as we can. We The Cincinnati Bar Association said to build a coast-to-coast firm has been believe that we can achieve that target there are about 7,000 lawyers in a seven- labeled “Golden Spike,” a reference number within three to five years. As we county area that includes Boone, Campbell

56 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com and Kenton counties in Kentucky. Those headcount and revenue. We experienced Frost Brown Todd LLC three counties have nearly 1,350 practicing growth across all areas of the firm,” he Florence attorneys, Smith said. said in an email. “As the region grows, Garvey Shearer Nordstrom PSC Attorney Scott Guenther of Adams, the demand for legal services naturally Fort Mitchell Stepner, Woltermann and Dusing grows with it. Economic development is Gerner & Kearns Co. LPA Florence reported “significant growth in the critical to growth in the demand for legal Graydon Law areas of general business counsel, services.” Fort Mitchell governmental practice, and general Yet another firm that wasn’t born Greta Hoffman & Associates business and defense litigation.” yesterday enjoyed substantial growth last Florence “We expanded our representation of year in its offices in Cincinnati, Crestview John D. Christopher Jr., Attorney at Law cities and school districts by adding new Hills and Louisville, according to Robert Alexandria governmental clients throughout the Hoffer, managing partner for Dressman Katz Teller commonwealth,” he said. Benzinger Lavelle (DBL), the largest Cincinnati “Our region has enjoyed a sustained Northern Kentucky-based firm with Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL period of general economic growth, which 44 lawyers. Cincinnati has spurred growth for our clients and many “Economic growth generally means Kenton County Attorney other local businesses. When a business additional opportunities for our Covington is in a growth mode, that naturally leads clients and they may need our help to Legal Shield/ID Shield Florence to increased legal needs to facilitate that address zoning issues, regulations and LegalShield growth,” said Guenther, a member of the transactional advice,” Hoffer said. “With Union management committee for the downtown the development in Northern Kentucky Nielson & Sherry PSC Covington firm with a 100-year history and with Amazon and the urban core, we Newport 17 attorneys on staff. think we’re in a good spot. What we’ve Novakov & Associates PLLC Graydon Law has seen growth in the seen with the revitalization in Covington Florence number of attorneys, the quantity of and Newport is that we think clients can O’Hara Taylor Sloan & Cassidy work, and increasing demands in newer partner with us to work through issues Crestview Hills areas, Smith said. that they have not faced before.” Porter Wright “Our corporate, executive benefits, DBL also made some national news Cincinnati real estate, employment, and banking when it filed suit earlier in the year Raines Dusing & Sutton PLLC lawyers are all historically busy. We have against opioid manufacturers on behalf Florence seen significant growth in cybersecurity, of 23 hospitals in the state, including St. Reimer Law Newport trade/compliance, intellectual property, Elizabeth Medical Center, which is a Reminger Co. LPA and hemp-related fields also,” said Smith, DBL client. Fort Mitchell whose firm has five offices in the region, “But we have all sizes of clients – St. Richardson and Vogt PLLC including one in Fort Mitchell that dates Elizabeth’s all the way down to a mom Covington to 1989. and pop plumbing shop that might have Smith Law The Northern Kentucky economy 10 employees,” Hoffer said. Covington is strong well in advance of the 2021 Some of the legal firms located in the Rolfes Henry completion of the Amazon Prime Air Hub region include: Cincinnati near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stites & Harbison PLLC International Airport, Smith said. Adams, Stepner, Woltermann Covington Construction began in May on the $1.5 & Dusing PLLC Strauss Troy Co. LPA billion project that is expected to create Covington Covington 2,000 jobs inside a 2.6 million-square- Barron Peck Bennie & Schlemmer Taft LLP foot package sorting facility. Newport Covington “Most believe, and I agree, that the Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP The Sanders Law Firm PSC Covington Covington ‘Amazon’ effect is just beginning. We Bonar, Bucher & Ranking PSC Thompson Hine LLP don’t know the total number of direct Covington Cincinnati Amazon employees, but the ancillary Bramel & Ackley PSC Wallace Boggs PLLC or feeder businesses are also going Fort Wright Fort Mitchell to explode,” he said. “Each ancillary Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co. LPA business has needs, and all employees Cincinnati Cincinnati have needs from time to time. The legal Cetrulo, Mowery & Hicks William E. Hesch Law Firm LLC landscape in Northern Kentucky is Edgewood Cincinnati growing fast and a deep knowledge of the Cors & Bassett LLC Wolnitzek & Rowekamp, PSC local market will be vital for companies Cincinnati Covington relocating or expanding here.” Dinsmore LLP Wood & Lamping LLP After adding seven lawyers in the last Covington Cincinnati year, Graydon has 83 attorneys in the Dressman Benzinger LaVelle PSC Wood, Herron & Evans Crestview Hills Cincinnati region and 13 are based in Fort Mitchell. Fessler, Schneider & Grimme LLP Ziegler & Schneider PSC Dinsmore’s Vincent said 2019 proved Fort Thomas Covington l to be a good year for his firm. Freund, Freeze & Arnold “The firm experienced growth in both Information provided by Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Fort Mitchell This is not a comprehensive list. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 57 EDUCATION Industrious collaboration New is the byword for education and workforce in Northern Kentucky

tEXPLORATION AND LEARNING The new Health Innovation Center at Northern Kentucky University, which includes the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Simulation Center, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health professions buildings in the country. Using technology and thoughtfully designed space, the center simulates real-life health care situations such as interviewing a patient, reading an X-ray, or administering an injection. It features seven simulation rooms, including an operating room and intensive care unit.

“The Health Innovation Center transforms how we educate and train the next generation of health care professionals with an interdisciplinary approach to addressing our population health challenges,” said NKU President Ashish Vaidya. “I see it as the nexus of talent, innovation and community development.” The $105 million project is home to NKU’s College of Health Professions and St. Elizabeth photos the Institute for Health Innovation. The Kentucky General Assembly allocated $97 million toward construction, and St. Elizabeth Healthcare invested another $8 million to add and equip the Simulation Center. BY DEBRA GIBSON ISAACS “The first three deal with the talent The St. Elizabeth Healthcare Simulation supply,” said Leisa Mulcahy, managing Center features seven simulation rooms, HOOSING which highlight of director/vice president of Workforce for the including an operating room and intensive Northern Kentucky’s education Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, care unit. Students can simulate real-life sector to explain first is a “and the fourth deals with talent and health care situations like interviewing a Cconundrum. attracting people to the region. The final is a patient, reading an X-ray, or administering Should we discuss the collaborative variety of resources for area employers.” an injection in a safe environment. Grow NKY initiative or perhaps the new Grow NKY has also identified six Advanced patient mannequins can present a Health Innovation Center (HIC) and primary industries it hopes to grow wide range of symptoms for diagnosis. the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Simulation and attract: information technology; “St. Elizabeth Healthcare is proud to Center at Northern Kentucky University? financial services; construction; advanced partner with NKU on the Health Innovation It could be the new university president manufacturing; health sciences; and Center’s Simulation Lab,” said Garren and new programs at Thomas More advanced logistics. Colvin, St. Elizabeth Healthcare president College. Then there’s IGNITE, the “Grow NKY is connecting business and CEO. “One of the most exciting aspects latest industry/education alliance in with students,” Mulcahy said. “It starts of the Health Innovation Center is the new, Northern Kentucky. in kindergarten with some interesting cross-functional educational experience for In Northern Kentucky, there is much projects and continues through middle students that will undoubtedly produce to discuss when it comes to education school job awareness and high school outstanding healthcare leaders and and workforce development. shadowing into creating apprenticeships. providers of the future.” “We are working toward the right Collaboration is foundation things with the right people at the table. New president, new facilities of Grow NKY Industry informs every ounce of what we for Thomas More Grow NKY is a good example. Some 60 do, and it is really comprehensive.” At Thomas More College, where President partners joined forces with the Northern Joseph L. Chillo was installed September Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on this Learning with real-world 25, 2019, two new facilities were opened: workforce/education effort. simulation at NKU the Center for Health Sciences and the Grow NKY is built on five focus areas: Nearby at Northern Kentucky University, Performing Arts Laboratory. kindergarten readiness; college and career the new HIC, which includes the St. The Center for Health Sciences, readiness; adult career readiness and lifelong Elizabeth Healthcare Simulation Center – is supported by a $1 million gift from St. learning; talent retention and attraction; and one of the largest and most comprehensive Elizabeth Healthcare, is the new home of employer policy and practice. health professions buildings in the country. the college’s traditional four-year nursing

58 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com uBIG YEAR Thomas More College installed a new president, Joseph L. Chillo, and opened two new facilities in 2019: the Center for Health Sciences and the Performing Arts Laboratory.

and accelerated RN to BSN programs, as well as the exercise science and athletic training programs. Launched in 2014, the athletic training program includes a bachelor’s degree and the only master’s degree of its kind in the area. The Performing Arts Laboratory provides additional space for the Marching Saints, Villa Players, dance team, choir and other Thomas More performing arts programs. “I am so excited for this building,” said Randy Webb, Thomas More director of bands. “This facility, which will be utilized by more than 200 students this year, gives us a dedicated space – something we haven’t had prior to the

Performing Arts Lab.” Thomas More Photo courtesy of The new STEM Outreach Center, an $875,000 expansion to the Biology Field “The opening of the new K-12 “At Thomas More, we’re taking a Station, also opened in 2019. It brings more STEM Outreach Center demonstrates holistic approach to education, preparing options that create more results – more our commitment to student learning at our students for not only their first job, students will have access to Thomas More’s all levels,” said Chris Lorentz, Ph.D., but their next five jobs,” said President STEM outreach programs, more professional director of the Biology Field Station. “The Chillo. “It’s our goal to position our development opportunities for K-12 teachers building is the quintessential space students so they are empowered to that promote inquiry-based teaching, and to implement innovative, hands-on develop ideas and concepts of tomorrow.” more scientific literacy for visitors. lessons in the STEM fields. By providing a dedicated space for grade schools Preparing high schoolers and high schools, we are enhancing for workforce gaps qTOP COLLEGE Northern Kentucky University our existing programs, expanding our IGNITE Institute is the latest industry/ in Highland Heights has for the last 11 years offerings; and through the IT capabilities, education alliance in Northern Kentucky. earned a spot on Forbes’ list of America’s Top extending our reach to schools. The Industry leaders developed a cross- Colleges. The university has more than 14,000 STEM outreach programs have received disciplinary curriculum for high school students served by over 2,000 faculty and staff. There are more than 200 student organizations national recognition and are currently students to address specific gaps in the on campus. filled to capacity.” regional workforce and give students the Photo courtesy of Northern Kentucky University chance to interact with local business leaders. Brought to life in a facility Toyota donated for public use, IGNITE focuses on project-based learning in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Admission is not based on GPA but rather on a student’s desire to learn specific high-demand skills. This program has 900 students. “IGNITE is designed to give kids work-based learning experiences,” said Bill Hogan, director of innovation for Boone County Schools and director of strategic partnerships for IGNITE. “Before they graduate from high school, they will have a pretty good idea of what the job entails and if that job is their passion. “Maybe they find out a certain job is not their passion, that they don’t want to do this the rest of their life. That information is just as valuable. They don’t get trapped in a job they don’t like.” l lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 59 MADE IN NKY Building on a strong heritage Manufacturers continue to invest in strategically located region with talented workforce pipeline

BY LORIE HAILEY

ITH a strong machine tool history and its geographic advantage, Northern Kentucky hasW become a hub for modern advanced manufacturing facilities that serve many industries. Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties are home to well over 200 manufacturers, and even more in the counties adjacent to the tri-county region, according to 2019 data from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Of the three counties, Boone is the manufacturing hub. Nearly 15% of jobs in Boone County – 13,363 – are at a manufacturing facility, according to KCED data. In Campbell County, 6.75% is manufacturing; it’s 8.1% in manufacturing; and distribution pAUTO AND AEROSPACE Northern Kenton County. Since 2016, two new and logistics. Kentucky is known for a thriving automotive and aerospace manufacturing sector, including Indy manufacturing locations have opened in “Because of Northern Kentucky’s Honeycomb. Its structural honeycomb products Boone County and 13 have expanded, geographic location and transportation are used in aerospace shuttle applications and investing more than $196 million and advantages, these machine tool missile fins, as well as for aircraft. creating 621 new jobs. manufacturers strategically serve many Kenton County has had one automotive and aerospace companies new manufacturing plant and 16 in the Midwest and Southeast and even expansions since 2016, an investment overseas customers,” said Lee Crume, new jobs at its precision aircraft parts of $116.3 million that created 534 president and CEO of Northern Kentucky facility in Erlanger. new jobs. Campbell County has had Tri-ED. Optical products distributor ABB two manufacturing expansions, an More than 40 automotive companies Optical Group announced a $15 investment of $1.2 million and an are already located in Northern Kentucky, million plan in June 2019 to open a additional 13 jobs. including major employers like Bosch, manufacturing facility in Erlanger, Mubea is the area’s largest Mubea, Balluff, Meritor Heavy Vehicle creating 200 news jobs. manufacturer, employing more than Systems and Celanese. Many powerhouse American and 1,300, producing heavy-duty products Since January 2018, there have been international manufacturers have for lightweight construction. The next 34 major manufacturing announcements chosen to locate in Northern Kentucky, largest is Robert Bosch Automotive in the tri-county region, a reported capital and many more have logistics and Steering, which makes steering gears investment of more than $191 million distribution centers there, including for the car and light truck market; and – an additional 1,405 jobs. Some of the Perfetti Van Melle, Mazak Corp., Safran assembles steering columns, hydraulic largest of those announcements included Landing Systems, L’Oreal USA, Tyson/ steering gears, electric steering gears, Jabil Inc.’s December 2018 investment Hillshire Foods, The Schwan Food Co., and power steering pumps for the auto of $13.5 million at its Florence facility, Evenflo Feeding, Architectural Aluminum industry. It has about 1,200 workers. where it manufactures racks and servers Products, Road ID, Amazon, Bosch, Northern Kentucky has a proven for data centers, creating 253 new jobs. Citi, DHL, Mubea, Cabot Corp., Indy advantage in automotive manufacturing Meyer Tool announced an investment of Honeycomb and WILD Flavors. and a strong core of a strong core of $16 million in March of 2019, Other interesting items “made” supporting industries including metal creating 100 in Northern Kentucky include: fabrication; chemicals, plastics, and composites tFRUITY FLAVORS Global candy maker Perfetti van Melle, which has its American headquarters in Erlanger, manufactures Airheads and Mentos candies. It opened a new warehouse and distribution center in 2019 at the Erlanger Commerce Center. It will ship nearly 13 million cases of product to customers in more than 1,000 locations each year. Grandpa Brands Co. New and expanding manufacturing firms in 2019 Personal care products Erlanger CITY COMPANY NAME TYPE INVESTMENT JOBS Erlanger ABB Optical Group New $14.9 million 200 Greif Rigid industrial packaging, steel drums Hebron Armor USA Expanding $3.3 million 36 Florence Walton Best Sanitizers Expanding $5.3 million 36 Griffin Industries Covington Braxton Brewing Co. Expanding $5 million – Animal rendering services Cold Spring Walton Kustom Blending Expanding $200,000 4 Hahn Automation Independence LSI Images Expanding $573,000 22 Industrial equipment and technology Erlanger LSI Metal Fabrication Expanding $1 million 30 Hebron Florence Mazak Corp. Expanding $8.5 million – Halperns’ Steak & Seafood Erlanger Meyer Tool Co. Expanding $15.9 million 100 High quality portion control beef products Walton Erlanger Post Glover Resistors Expanding $4.6 million 15 HDT Global Military air conditioning, heaters, decontamination units Florence Schwan’s frozen pizzas; hair and skin Carl Zeiss Vision Inc. Optical lab Hennegan Co. care products by L’Oreal; Airheads candy; Offset printing Hebron bourbon products; playing cards; Lit’l Florence Clarion Corp. of America Smokies (cocktail weenies); airplane Car audio, multimedia, information products Hydra-Tone Chemicals Specialty chemicals, detergents, lubricants parts; menu boards; chocolate and Walton Hebron specialty candies; AR-15 rifles; and more. Club Chef Processors of fresh cut produce International Mold Steel Here is a sampling of manufacturers in Steel for plastic & rubber molds Covington the tri-county area: Florence Crescent Paper Tube Co. Paper tubes, paperboard products, cores, caps International Paper Printing plant, packaging materials A.O. Smith Co. Florence Water heaters, boilers and storage tanks Walton Florence DURO Bag a Novolex Brand Paper bags for fast food Iofina Chemical Select halogen specialty chemicals, iodine Active Radiator Walton Truck and industrial radiators Covington Dayton Emerson’s Bakery Baked goods Jack’s Glass Home and auto glass solutions ALM Media Florence Magazine & book publisher Elsmere Erlanger Ethos Labs Drug tests Jewel-Craft Jewelry Anderson Manufacturing Newport AR-15 rifles Erlanger Hebron Evenflo Feeding Infant equipment, baby care and juvenile products J-Fab LLC Florence Aquionics Inc. West Chester UV, water, air and surface purification systems Erlanger Fabritec International Professional dry cleaning detergents, wet cleaning AquiSense Technologies soaps and spotting chemicals LED devices Florence Erlanger Flint Group ATech Training Inc. Printing inks Automotive technology training devices Erlanger Walton Fortress Interlocks Balluff Safety access and control systems Industrial networking, object detection Erlanger Florence Fuji Autotech USA Beckman Coulter Automative seat components Diagnostic tests/equipment Walton Florence GES Beverly International Nutrition Trade show exhibits and store fixtures Sports nutrition manufacturer Hebron Cold Spring Givaudan Flavors Blue Grass Quality Meats Fragrance and flavor Deli meats Florence Erlanger Glier’s Meats Bonfiglioli USA German breakfast sausage Speed changer, industrial high-speed drive & gear Covington manufacturing, USA headquarters Hebron GorillaMaker 3D Printing Boone County Distilling Co. Florence Bourbon, rye, and other whiskey specialties Independence Graham Packaging Plastic bottles pSHAMPOO AND MORE L’Oreal USA Braxton Brewing Florence manufactures skin care and hair care products at Craft beer its plant in Florence, including Garnier Fructis. Covington The company also operates a distribution center in Walton. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 61 MADE IN NKY

Johnson Controls – Power Solutions Lead acid batteries Florence Kellogg Snacks Keebler products Florence Kona Ice Premium tropical shaved ice Florence Lingo Manufacturing Co. Custom permanent point-of-purchase displays Florence Linkology Security systems for parking garages Nor-Com Inc. pEXPANSION Mazak Corp. in 2019 announced Newport Communications systems and A/V integrator an investment of $8.5 million to expand its Hebron manufacturing facility and American headquarters L’Oreal USA-Florence Manufacturing Hair care products North American Stainless L.P. in Florence. Mazak has been manufacturing advanced HYBRID Multi-Tasking, 5-axis, turning Florence Steel Ghent and milling machines since 1974 at its plant LSI in Florence. Menu boards Novolex Florence Paper products Florence Lyons Magnus Flavorings and juices Pepsico Studio Vertu Walton Snacks, foods and beverages Italian marble products Erlanger Newport Mazak Corp. CNC turning centers, vertical machining centers, Perfetti van Melle TeeSpring horizontal machining centers, Multi-Tasking machines, Airheads candy Custom tee shirts 5-axis machines Erlanger Hebron Florence P L Marketing Total Display Solutions Meggitt Polymers & Composites Kroger corporate branding products Re-manufactures LCD panels for computer video Composite engine and aerostructure components Newport displays and television LCD panes Erlanger PG LifeLink Erlanger Meyer Tool Isolated power system design and manufacturer Toyota Boshoku America Precision aircraft parts Erlanger Automotive interior systems Erlanger Purestream Inc. Erlanger Mila International Sewage treatment equipment Tressa Surgical devices for pets Walton Professional hair products Florence R & R Design & Manufacturing Erlanger Mubea Conveyor & automation systems Trophy Awards Manufacturing Lightweight construction specialist providing heavy duty Florence Awards, crystal awards, acrylic awards, trophies, spring components and related products Road ID plaques, corporate awards, gifts, promotional items Florence Road ID Bracelets Wilder Mubea Precision Springs Fort Mitchell Tyson/Hillshire Brands Transmission springs and hose clamps Robert Bosch Automotive Meat, primarily cocktail weenies Florence Steering columns Alexandria National Band & Tag Co. Florence United Dairy Farmers Poultry leg and wing bands, bands used for wildlife, Ronan Engineering Co. Ice cream ID tags Measuring equipment, radiation gauges and measuring US Playing Card Co. Newport instruments Playing cards New Riff Distilling Florence Erlanger Craft distillery Safran Landing Systems ViaCord Newport Carbon brakes for airplanes Umbilical cord preservation Newly Weds Foods Walton Hebron Cracker and bread crumbs, batter mixes Schwan’s Global Supply Chain The Waddington Group Erlanger Frozen pizzas High-quality plastic, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, Florence serving ware Sherwood Midwest Covington KENTUCKY CABINET FOR Bedding, mattresses White Castle Distributing ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Walton Burger processing Old Capitol Annex Skilcraft Covington 300 West Broadway Surgical products, surgical device production, contract Wild Flavors Frankfort, KY 40601 medical device manufacturing Flavor technology (800) 626-2930 Burlington Erlanger thinkkentucky.com SpecTape Inc. Wolf Steel USA Kentucky encourages growth of new and Pressure-sensitive tape High-end fireplaces, grills, HVAC existing companies of all sizes, and ensures Erlanger Crittenden entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. Sterling Ventures Zenith Motors Kentucky fosters growth through services Limestone mine, crushed stone Electric shuttle and cargo vans designed to spur investment and create Verona Wilder jobs. Explore the many advantages of the Stewart Iron Works ZF Boge Elastmetall commonwealth and you’ll find Kentucky will Ornamental iron fencing and gates Transmissions, steering systems, axles go the extra mile to exceed your needs. Erlanger Hebron l

62 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com THIS DOCTOR IS FINDING A CURE FOR CANCER AND HE IS DOING IT IN KENTUCKY.

Dr. Ray Takigiku is creating a cure for cancer. He chose to locate his company, Bexion, in Kentucky. Our business environment, innovative solutions and phenomenal cost of living are some of the reasons why.

SEE HIS STORY KYINNOVATION.COM/STORIES HEADQUARTERS Perfectly positioned Hundreds of companies headquartered and invested in Northern Kentucky region

ER capita, the Northern Kentucky, located in Hebron, is the third-largest pWORLDWIDE PRESENCE Balluff Inc. including Greater Cincinnati, employer in the MSA, with 12,682 is represented worldwide in more than 60 region is home to more Fortune employees. (It’s the largest employer countries or regions and has its North American headquarters in Florence. The branch was P500 headquarters than New York, in Northern Kentucky). St. Elizabeth established in 1985 and is both a production site Chicago or Los Angeles. The Greater Healthcare in Northern Kentucky, with and a sales location. Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area more than 8,400 employees, also is (MSA) – including seven Northern among the top employers in the region, Kentucky counties – is home to nine as is Fidelity Investments in Covington, Northern Kentucky offers a regulars on the list on the north side of with more than 4,400 employees, and competitive business climate built on the Ohio River. Five additional members Boone County Schools, with 3,301. (A low tax burdens, competitive incentive in Kentucky account for $10 billion in list of the top employers in Northern packages and below-average utility annual revenues. Kentucky is on page 12.) costs. The Cincinnati MSA was named The largest public employer in the The region has a labor shed of more the #1 most cost-friendly business MSA is The Kroger Co., which has 21,263 than 1.1 million people and nearly location among large U.S. cities in the employees, according to data from REDI 190,000 professional workers. The Tax Foundation/KPMG Location Matters Cincinnati. Kroger is headquartered in top professional occupations in the Report, 2016. The region is centrally Cincinnati and has distribution facilities MSA include accounting and finance, located where the north meets the south in Northern Kentucky, in addition to its computer and IT, human resources, and the Midwest meets the Southeast. retail stores. The Cincinnati/Northern purchasing and procurement, and media Some of the big-name companies Kentucky International Airport (CVG), (marketing, public relations and design). headquartered in the region include: With a competitive business climate and Macy’s, United Dairy Farmers, GE qFLAVORING THE WORLD WILD Flavors infrastructure and deep talent pools, Aviation, AK Steel, E.W. Scripps and Specialty Ingredients supplies the food and the region is perfectly positioned to Co., Philips Edison & Co., Rumpke, beverage industry in North America. The 200,000- support its key industries – automotive Mitsubishi, Chiquita Brands s.f. state-of-the-art facility was the first fully odor- and aerospace manufacturing, financial International, Sunny Delight Beverages, controlled manufacturing site in the industry. It has 14 manufacturing facilities and 16 subsidiaries in services, food and flavor, life sciences and Drees Co., Messer Construction, CNG countries across the globe. logistics technology. Financial Corp. and Cintas.

Businesses headquartered in Northern Kentucky/ Greater Cincinnati region • Advertiser Printers • AGI (Architectural Group International) • Angstrom Technologies

Courtesy of Wild Flavors • Aristech Surfaces • Ariva Distribution • Ashland • Atkins & Pearce • Auto Vehicle Parts • Balluff • Best Sanitizers • Blair Technology Group • BlueStar Inc • Blum-Novotest Inc • Bob Sumerel Tire Co. • BOGE Rubber & Plastics USA

64 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com tANTICIPATING GROWTH LeanCor Supply Chain Group in December 2019 announced plans to relocate its headquarters to a larger office building in Florence. The company is investing $4.4 million in the project and plans to create 53 new jobs.

qLOCOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTOR Post Glover Resistors, a producer of power resistors, is expanding its facility by 30,600 s.f. to support growth tied to existing large-scale customer contracts. The company offers high- and low-resistance grounding products for equipment and personnel protection, dynamic braking resistors, motor/crane control resistors and harmonic filter resistors for electrical noise dampening. The company employs more than 100

Photo courtesy of LeanCor people at its Boone County plant.

• Bowlin Group, • Car-Part.com • Castellini Co. • Celanese • Centennial • C-Forward Information Technologies • Charles Seligman Distributing Co. • Cincinnati Ventilating Co • Club Chef • Columbia Sussex Corp • CompMed • Corken Steel Products Co. – Florence HVAC • Crosset Co. • CTS Packaging • D M R Interactive • Darling Ingredients – formerly Griffin Industries • Diversified Structural Composites • Divisions Inc. • Dixie Chili • Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs • Dorning Supply Co. • DURO Bag Manufacturing Co. • Eagle Manufacturing Co • Getronics • R.I.W. Ornamental Metal • EagleBurgmann KE • Greif • Reis Concrete Products • Elovations Services • Grove Transportation • Rem-Brands • Engineered Building Systems • Hanser Music Group • Remke Markets • Executive Transportation Service • Harper Oil Products • Robert Bosch Automotive Steering • F.N. Sheppard & Co. • HBC-radiomatic • RoundTower • Fabritec International Corp. • Health Warehouse.com • RR Donnelley – Nielsen Plantsen Co. • Galerie • Hennegan Co • RWI Transportation • Gateway Conveyor & Design • Holland Roofing • Signature Hardware • General Cable Corp. • Horan • St. Elizabeth (a Prysmian Group company) • Hosea Project Movers • Stagnaro Distributing • I. B. Goodman Manufacturing Co. • Starrag USA • ICON Marketing Communications • Steinert US • Iofina Chemical • Stewart Iron Works Co. • ITT Koni America • Studio Vertu • Kanefusa USA Corp • SWECO • Kentucky Naturals • Tente Casters Inc • Kipster • The C W Zumbiel Co. • Kona Ice • The Dream Junction Ink • Krauss-Maffei Corp • The Think Shop • KRC Machine Tool Services • The United States Playing Card Co. • LeanCor • Thelen Associates • Linamar • Toyota Boshoku America • Load Banks Direct, • Transfreight, • Lohmann Technologies Corp. • Trivaco • Mauer USA • Union Springs, • Maxim Crane Works • Verst Group Logistics Inc. – Walton • Mazak Corp. • Vivitec • Meggitt • VonLehman & Co. • Mila International • Waltz Business Solutions • Newforms • Welding Alloys USA • OMSO North America • Westside Pallet • Payroll Partners • Wild Flavors • Penske Logistics • Willis Music Co. • Perfetti Van Melle USA • Wiseway Supply • Plymouth Steel Corp. • ZoomEssence pSTEEL FABRICATION Skilcraft Sheet Metal • Post Glover Resistors • Zumbiel Packaging l Inc. is a manufacturer of precision aerospace sheet • Precision Metal Works, Bartell Global metal. The company has been located in Burlington • Project Operation Goodbar Source: Northern Kentucky Tri-ED and Northern Kentucky Chamber since 1965. • Promevo of Commerce. This list may not be exhaustive.

lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 65 UTILITIES Plentiful, progressive business inputs Northern Kentucky’s electric, gas, water and digital pipelines are ample, sustainable and affordable

BY RUSS BROWN

ORTHERN Kentucky’s two major electrical energy suppliers, Owen Electric and Duke Energy, Ncontinue to be at the forefront of the movement to clean, renewable energy, with a couple of new or expanding programs. Fifteen of Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, of which Owen Electric is a member, offer a renewable energy program called Envirowatts. Touchstone represents a nationwide alliance of member-owned electric co-ops that deliver power and energy solutions to more than 700 local electric cooperatives across 46 states. Customers can choose which envirowatts renewable energy sources they prefer to support: solar, wind, biomass and hydro. The voluntary program lets customers purchase renewable energy in $2.75 portions, with no maximum. Owen describes purchasing Envirowatts is an investment in the future of renewable energy in Kentucky by helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For example, according to EPA estimates, under current market prices a $2.75 portion of solar generates 1,170 pounds of carbon dioxide offset. That’s equivalent to preventing emissions “We are making a cleaner energy future a pCOAL FIRED East Bend Station is a from the consumption of 59.7 gallons reality for our customers and communities,” 648-megawatt, single turbine plant located near of gasoline or annual greenhouse gas said Lynn Good, Duke chairman, president Rabbit Hash in Boone County, Ky. It is operated by Duke Energy, which provides electric service emissions from 1,264 miles/year driven and CEO. “A diverse mix of renewables, to approximately 142,900 customers in Boone, by an average passenger vehicle. Wind, nuclear, natural gas, hydro and energy Campbell, Grant, Kenton and Pendleton counties. hydro and biomass offset much more. efficiency are all part of this vision.” Duke plans to modernize its electric system and Owen, which was founded in 1937, power plants that serve NKY and invest in new programs that aim to increase value for customers provides power to 61,000 homes and Natural gas very plentiful and communities. businesses in nine counties. It sources Also on the energy front, most Northern most of its power from landfill gas Kentucky residents continue to get good plants, and it is involved in the solar news when it comes to natural gas prices. energy market with East Kentucky Power Those prices have been stable or have ample supply, which, if you look at all the Cooperative (EKPC). descended over the past 10 years, and it forecasts, should keep natural gas prices Duke Energy, meanwhile, aims to reduce doesn’t look like anything will change in both stable and fairly low.” carbon emission by at least 50% by 2030 the near future. However, electric customers won’t get and to achieve net-zero carbon emission “There hasn’t been a whole lot of off quite so easily. Duke, which serves by 2050, a plan that it says requires fluctuation in the natural gas market. If approximately 140,000 customers in investments in research and technology. anything, there’s been a slow downward Northern Kentucky, filed a request in The company’s 2017 goal to reduce trend,” said Andrew Melnykovych, public September for the Kentucky PSC to conduct carbon by 40% by 2030 was one of the information officer for the Kentucky a public review of the company’s rates industry’s most ambitious at the time. Public Service Commission. “There hasn’t “due to investments leading to safer, more Since then, sustained low natural gas been a dramatic fluctuation since we saw reliable and secure energy for customers and prices and declining costs for renewables the beginning of much higher production communities.” The case is pending. and storage have allowed Duke to in the domestic market due to new Duke has asked the commission for accelerate that goal. drilling techniques. There is more than an permission to increase base rates by about

66 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com $45.6 million, or an average of about Bavarian redirects detrimental methane customer will see an increase of $3.84 a 12.5%. If the proposal is approved, a gas from entering the atmosphere, instead month by 2020 compared to 2018 costs. residential customer who uses an average sending it to be electric power fuel. In The district serves 83,000 customers in of 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each 2016, EKPC’s power plant at Bavarian Campbell and Kenton counties, along with month would pay about $112.08, an expanded and has become a leader for portions of Boone, Grant and Pendleton increase of $15.62. the entire Southeastern U.S., generating counties, in a 312-square mile area that “We’re making strategic, data-driven enough to power 27,000 homes. includes 1,296 miles of main and three investments to improve reliability and “Northern Kentucky has been a leader water treatment plants. Another major protect our system against cyber and in so many areas, now we are the leader provider in the area is the Boone County physical threats,” said Amy Spiller, president in something that will benefit both energy Water District, which serves 26,000. of Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky. “Our work consumers and the environment,” said Gary Melnykovych says those two utilities is paying off for customers by reducing Moore, Boone County Judge/Executive. run smoothly in the eyes of the Kentucky the frequency and length of outages, and Doug Bramer, business development Public Service Commission. delivering more choices and control when it manager for Bavarian, says the company “In that part of the state we haven’t seen comes to their energy use.” strategy is to remain aggressive in some of the issues we’ve seen in Eastern Even with a rate increase, Northern repurposing waste. Kentucky in terms of both operations and Kentucky residents would still be below “We are currently seeking even more financial stability,” he said. “Those are two the average national electricity rate of efficient options for the landfill gas to of the largest water districts in the state and about $130 per 1,000 kilowatt hours further reduce emissions,” he said. (the Ky. PSC) has no particular concerns because the majority of Duke’s power is with respect to either one.” still generated by coal-fired plants that are Modern and efficient infrastructure In the communications realm, economically efficient. On a different front, the nonprofit Northern Kentucky is one of the country’s “Duke Energy has certainly signaled its Northern Kentucky Water District was most wired communities due to its ultra- intention to move away from fossil fuels,” granted a rate increase for 2020 to pay for modern and ultra-important business Melnykovych said. replacing aging water pipes, pumps and infrastructure. It is a major node on the Another Northern Kentucky utility treatment plants with modern and more national digital “backbone” for ultra- that is heavily invested in clean energy is efficient infrastructure. high-speed internet and is ringed with Bavarian Water Services in Walton. Bavarian The residential customer fee will go fiber optics. Cincinnati Bell and Spectrum joined forces in 2003 with EKPC to become from $16.40 to $18.50 per month in 2020 are two of the 20-plus communications the first landfill in Kentucky to convert its and water consumption costs from $4.53 providers in the region, resulting in landfill gas into electricity. per 100 cubic feet to $4.77. The typical healthy competition and good service. l

YOU ARE NOBODY’S FOOL.

Because you’re reading this. A 2016 research study found that magazine readers are engaged, knowledgeable, and inquisitive, and that magazines are the most trusted, inspiring and motivating form of media. That means Lane THE LANE REPORT Report readers are more likely to separate fact from fiction and make better (859) 244-3500 informed decisions. Sound like a great audience for advertising? You bet. lanereport.com/advertising SPORTS & RECREATION A big win for everyone High school sports, pro teams and outdoor recreation draw crowds in NKY

tSCHOOL SPIRIT In a region with several major sports teams and events, high school sports still generate a lot of excitement – and crowds – in Northern Kentucky. A large crowd at Rupp Arena in Lexington watched as the Campbell County boys’ basketball team defeated fellow Northern Kentucky team Walton-Verona Independent in the second round of the 2019 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen state basketball tournament.

more than 6,000 fans at BB&T Arena on the Northern Kentucky University campus. The KHSAA Girls’ Sweet Sixteen basketball tournament has also been held there, and several schools in the area host various KHSAA events, with facilities for baseball,

Walter Cornett / KHSAA photo softball, soccer and volleyball in addition to basketball. The Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington hosts cheer and dance competitions. High school athletics are well- supported by local businesses, Bacigalupo said. As examples, he mentioned Skyline Chili and Penn Station. Skyline promotes a Crosstown Showdown Day in multiple BY RUSS BROWN strong sense of community among all the sports, allowing fans to redeem their schools,” said Tony Bacigalupo, athletics tickets for a menu item. And Penn Station ITH such a wide variety of director at Covington Catholic High presents an Athlete of the Month award options in sports and recreation and president of the NKAC. “Northern that features buy one, get one free for any available in Northern Kentucky, Kentucky folks take a lot of pride in student at that particular school. sometimesW the contributions of high schools whatever schools they’re involved with. Bacigalupo said the health of high in the area might get overlooked, but they “You look around the country and school athletics in the region is due in play a significant role, providing numerous attendance is down, but for us here, large part to the influence of the late Stan opportunities for both athletic competition students enjoy being together, cheering Steidel, a legendary figure in Northern and spectators. at games. It’s still kind of the thing to Kentucky athletics who passed away on At the heart of athletics in the region do and it’s special to see that. It’s a fun Nov. 4 in an auto accident at age 78. is the Northern Kentucky Athletic atmosphere. Even where there’s rivalries, At the time of this death, he was the Conference (NKAC), whose members there’s mutual respect. And facilities all athletic director at Holmes High School number 25 high schools and serve over the region have really improved.” and had been AD and coached football over 24,000 students. The member The 2019 Kentucky High School and basketball at Dayton High, his alma schools cover the entire spectrum, from Athletic Association’s (KHSAA) 9th Region mater. The basketball court in the Dayton the very small – 254, Bishop Brossart, boys’ basketball tournament final drew gym is named for him. Alexandria – to the very large, including Ryle in Union (1,871), Newport (1,790), Bellevue (1,633) and Dayton (1,524). Fortunately, Northern Kentucky schools seem to be bucking the national trend of falling attendance at and interest in high school athletics. “The role of high school athletics is huge in molding future generations, and HHP-Kentucky Speedway photo Northern Kentucky in particular has a uBUCKLE UP Kentucky Speedway in Sparta can accommodate 107,000 NASCAR fans. The 1.5-mile tri-oval speedway has hosted ARCA, NASCAR and Indy Racing League racing since it opened in 2000. uTAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME Situated directly on the Ohio River, Great American Ball Park makes Cincinnati Reds games easy to reach by car or foot for fans all around the region. The ballpark officially opened for the 2003 season, making 2020 its 18th big-league season. It has a seating capacity of 42,271, and many of those fans flock to Northern Kentucky for food and drink before and after games.

Bacigalupo said Steidel spent his life trying to improve opportunities for students in athletics. He was executive secretary of the NKAC for over 25 years and served 16 years on the KHSAA Board of Control. One of his lasting legacies was founding the All “A” Classic for the smaller schools in Kentucky in 1980, Leigh Taylor/meetNKY photo Leigh Taylor/meetNKY giving students a chance for a state tournament atmosphere and awards. at the Kentucky Speedway is July 9-11, Triple Crown, Lassing Pointe Golf Course Many Northern Kentucky teams have headlined by the Quaker State 400 in the and Aston Oaks Golf Club have all won been competitive at both the All “A” and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, various awards. the overall state levels. The event has with the Alsco 300 and the Buckle Up In Ramble on the riverfront: For other grown to provide scholarship money Your Truck 225 are also being run. outdoor recreation, work continues on and awards championships in numerous Florence Speedway is a half-mile, clay the 11.5-mile Riverfront Commons Trail, sports and academic endeavors. oval that was built in the 1950s and has an uninterrupted walking, running and High school athletics in Northern been operated by the King family since hiking trail that will connect all of Northern Kentucky have thrived despite the 1984. Since then, it has become one of Kentucky’s six riverfront cities – Ludlow, plethora of other ways for sports and the premier Dirt Late Model tracks in the Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton and outdoor enthusiasts to spend their free state. It hosts such events as the North/ Fort Thomas – when completed. Ecosystem time. Here is a look at some of them: South 100, Ralph Latham Memorial restoration, riverside stabilization, economic Hoop dreams: NKU has 17 NCAA and the Spring 50. The track generally development and recreation are among the Division I teams. Its men’s and women’s operates on Saturdays from March to benefits of the development. basketball teams compete in the Horizon October with a regular racing program Outdoor adventure: The Covington League and play their home games in for Late Models, Modifieds, Crate Late Parks and Recreation Department offers a 10,000-seat BB&T Arena. Models, Sport Mods and Hornets. variety of aquatics, athletics and recreation Bet the ponies: Thoroughbred Batter up: Baseball fans have the nearby activities, as well as supporting a growing racetrack Turfway Park has a bright Cincinnati Reds, of course, along with the parks system that includes the 803-acre future, thanks to its recent purchase by Florence Freedom in the Frontier League, a Devou Park, whose centerpiece is the Churchill Downs Inc., which already has professional independent league with teams Ludlow Connector Trail that will eventually made an impact with the doubling of in the Northeast, Midwest and in Eastern connect with the Riverfront Commons Trail. purses for Turfway’s 16-day holiday meet Canada. The Frontier was formed in 1993 Big Bone Lick State Park in Union in December, averaging $204,812 a day. and is the oldest current independent league has trails that run through woodlands, Turfway’s spring/winter meet in the country. grasslands, woody savanna, the salt-sulfur runs from Jan. 1 through March 28 Rollergirls: If you want something springs, and a bison viewing area. Boone and construction of its new facility is a little different, there’s the Black-n- County Cliffs State Nature Preserve, scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020. Bluegrass Rollergirls, with home bouts at with 74 acres of old-growth forest and “It’s been an exciting whirlwind BB&T Arena (see black-n-bluegrass.com cliff formations, has 14 miles of trails. of activity around here since the for schedule). BBRG completed its first And Boone County Parks and Recreation acquisition,” said Turfway Park general full season in 2008 and now fields two provides nearly two dozen parks that manager Daniel “Chip” Bach. “Churchill competitive teams in leagues throughout feature fishing, golf, disc golf, horseshoes Downs acted immediately not only to the Midwest. BBRG also supports its local and bocce ball. significantly improve our racing product community through volunteer activities Pro sports scene: Besides the many but also to implement improvements to and charitable fundraising. activities offered in Northern Kentucky, our resident horsemen and our players. Hit the green: For golfers, there are the region gets an economic boost Those groups, as well as our employees, four municipal courses in Florence, plus from pro sports across the Ohio River have been very patient. It’s immensely another 48 within 20 miles, including in Cincinnati. Fans attending Reds or satisfying to see their patience rewarded.” 12 public, 17 municipal and 19 private Cincinnati Bengals games can stay in Start your engines: For fans of racing courses. The oldest course in the area is Newport or Covington, or they can of the four-wheel instead of four-legged the Ryland Lakes Country Club, which park and simply walk across the John A. kind, Northern Kentucky offers the opened in 1893. The longest course Roebling Suspension Bridge. Cincinnati NASCAR Kentucky Speedway in Sparta is Triple Crown Country Club, which is also the home for FC Cincinnati of the and the Florence Speedway in Union. is 7,108 yards. Traditions Golf Club is United Soccer League and the Cyclones The biggest weekend of the season rated the best course near Florence, and pro hockey team. l lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 69 BOONE COUNTY Manufacturing growth continues

AMED for famed and innovative frontiersman Daniel Boone in the late 1700s, Boone County is the northernmost county in Kentucky and is bordered by the Ohio River on its north and Nwest sides. Residents and community leaders have an appreciation for history and open arms for history-making businesses. Announced in November 2019, Post Glover Resistors Inc. will invest nearly $4.63 million in expanding its facility in Erlanger, Ky., creating up to 15 full-time jobs. The advanced manufacturing Estimated 2020 population: company was founded in 1892, when it was a distributor for the 131,533 railroad industry. Today the company produces power industry Households: 46,095 resistors, including dynamic braking resistors and harmonic Median household income: filter resistors for electrical noise dampening, and high- and low- • $72,731 resistance grounding products for equipment and personnel County seat: Burlington; Florence protection. pAN ICON This “Florence Mayor Diane E. Whalen, florence- Cincinnati-based Meyer Tool Inc., a high-tech manufacturer that Y’all” water tower, built in 1974 ky.gov serves the aerospace and gas turbine engine industries, will invest and visible from Interstate 75, is Judge/Executive: Gary W. Moore, $15.9 million to acquire and renovate an 83,000-s.f. property just a local landmark. boonecountyky.org outside Erlanger and create 100 jobs. Headquartered in Miami, Chamber of Commerce: FEAM Aero broke ground on a new hangar in fall 2018 at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, nkychamber.com International Airport in Hebron, Ky. The 103,000-s.f. hangar is expected to be completed later in Economic Development 2020 and create 100 jobs with its $19 million investment. Authority: Northern Kentucky Churchill Downs of Louisville acquired Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., from Jack Ohio for $46 Tri-County Economic million in October 2019 and will spend another $100 million to raze the existing grandstand Development Corporation and build a new Turfway Park Racing & Gaming facility for both live Thoroughbred racing and (Tri-ED), northernkentuckyusa.com wagering via historical racing machines. Construction is expected to start in the spring of 2020 and take a little over a year.

CAMPBELL COUNTY Exciting place to live, work and play

HE rolling hills of

Campbell County are alive with green space Tand waterways as well as room for businesses to grow. With the opening of the KY 9 connector road through Newport in late 2018, the AA Highway now Estimated 2020 population: goes from Newport to Maysville 93,152 and beyond, making it easier for Households: 35,870 travelers to go from Northern Median household income: Kentucky to downtown $57,208 • Cincinnati and vice versa. New County seats: Alexandria, Mayor Riff Distilling, on Distillery Way Andy Schabell, alexandriaky.org; along the AA, has continued to and Newport, Mayor Jerry Peluso, grow since its opening in 2014. newportky.gov pFUN FOR ALL AGES The Newport on the Levee The Newport Aquarium at Newport on the Judge/Executive: Steve Pendery, Levee has 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, including five seamless acrylic campbellcountyky.org complex is under new ownership tunnels totaling over 200 feet in length. Chamber of Commerce: with expansion plans, and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of $1 billion Ovation multiuse project is underway, so bourbon, attractions and entertainment are Commerce, nkychamber.com increasing the overall tourism impact in Campbell County. Economic Development Newport-based CompMed, a medical billing services company founded in 1993, invested Authority: Campbell County Economic Development Office, $1.11 million in 2019 to expand the facility by 2,000 s.f. and create 150 additional full-time jobs. campbellcountyky.org; and The Hillshire Brands Company in Alexandria, Ky., acquired by Tyson Foods in 2014, completed Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, a $50 million expansion of operations in 2019 that began in the summer of 2017 and included a northernkentuckyusa.com new wastewater treatment facility and warehouse cold storage addition.

70 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com GALLATIN COUNTY Big things happening in Kentucky’s smallest county

LONG the banks of the Ohio

River in the northwestern portion of Northern Kentucky, Gallatin ACounty has been known to use the phrase “Little, but in the middle of it all,” in honor of its proximity to and location between Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville. At 99 square miles, Gallatin County is the smallest county Estimated 2020 population: in Kentucky in area, yet thousands of 8,832 the nation’s NASCAR fans attend races at Households: 3,007 Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky., every Median household income: year. In July 2019, Kurt Busch beat his $50,250 • younger brother, Kyle Busch, by 0.076 County seat: Warsaw, Mayor of a second to win the Quaker State 400, Charlie French, cityofwarsawky.org an annual race presented by Walmart. Judge/Executive: Ryan Morris, pA BIG DRAW Professional sports fans in Northern Kentucky gallatincounty.ky.gov never want for entertainment, which includes Kentucky Speedway The 2020 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Chamber of Commerce: in Sparta. The 1.5-mile tri-oval speedway has hosted ARCA, Truck Series will take place on Thursday, Gallatin NASCAR and Indy Racing League racing since it opened in 2000. July 9 at the Kentucky Speedway, with County Chamber of Commerce, gallatincountykychamber.org Kurt Busch, above, won the Quaker State 400 race there in 2019, the NASCAR Xfinity on July 10 and the besting his brother Kyle. Economic Development NASCAR Cup Series on July 11. Authority: Kentucky I-71 A new airport broke ground in Sparta in October 2019. Scheduled to be the 58th general aviation Economic Development Alliance airport in the state, this will be the first local airport in Gallatin County to serve the area of I-71 (KEIDA), ky71connected.com from Louisville to Cincinnati. After the land is cleared and graded, a runway will be constructed and lighting and striping will be installed, all of which could take up to two years. Then hangars will be built, with the expectation of housing up to 50 large airplanes and corporate aircraft.

GRANT COUNTY Ark attraction brings thousands to quiet town

RANT County is the southernmost county within Northern GKentucky. It was established in 1820 and named for Col. John Grant, a frontiersman and nephew of Daniel Boone. With its easy access by I-75 and U.S. 25 and by rail, Grant County Estimated 2020 population: has brought in millions of 25,121 visitors in the past three years, Households: 8,637 thanks to the Ark Encounter in Median household income: Williamstown. $43,881 • In 2019, the attraction added County seat: Williamstown, pA FLOOD OF VISITORS Noah’s Ark at the Ark Encounter attracts Mayor Rick Skinner, wtownky.org thousands of visitors annually to Williamstown. The Ark Encounter a 2,500-seat auditorium with Judge/Executive: showcases the biblical narrative of the great flood in Genesis by displaying a 70-foot long LED screen on Chuck Dills, a life-sized replica of Noah’s Ark that spans 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and the stage for presentations and grantcounty.ky.gov 51 feet high and also features outdoor attractions like zip lines, restaurants performances, and a new family Chamber of Commerce: Grant and a zoo. County Chamber of Commerce play area designed for children and Economic Development, of all abilities that has a tower with slides, a climbing hill, a rainbow maze and other fun features. grantcommerce.com The Ararat Ridge Zoo behind the 510-foot long Noah’s ark is now double in size. Economic Development Grant County residents and their guests have other tourist attractions, including public lakes in Authority: Grant County Corinth, Crittenden, Dry Ridge and Williamstown. During the Memorial Day weekend in 2019, Patriots Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, Landing opened at the Dry Ridge Outlet Center. The military museum showcases historical military grantcommerce.com displays and products crafted by veterans. It is operated by Operation Honor, a nonprofit organization based in Owenton, Ky., that works with veterans who craft burial flag cases by hand. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 71 KENTON COUNTY Waterfront enterprises, bustling economy

ORMED in 1840 and named in honor of pioneer Simon Kenton, Kenton County is the third most populous county in Kentucky, behind Jefferson (Louisville) and Fayette (Lexington). The city of Covington is directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati over the picturesque John FA. Roebling Suspension Bridge built in 1866. Roebling, a German engineer, would go on to build the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. As of October 2019, Kenton County Government Center has a new location. Formerly the Bavarian Brewery, the 4.5-acre property is housing two dozen governmental agencies and offices, including the county attorney, county clerk, PVA, treasury and business services, technology Estimated 2020 population: services, and planning and development services. 166,051 In the spring of 2019 Perfetti Van Melle moved its warehouse and distribution center from Households: 62,929 Hebron to Commerce Center in Erlanger, making it closer to the confection company’s existing Median household income: manufacturing facility in Erlanger. Globally headquartered in Italy and the Netherlands with $58,674 • U.S. operations solely in Kenton County, Perfetti Van Melle markets Airheads, Mentos and County seats: Covington, Mayor other confectionery and chewing gum products. The new distribution center in Erlanger will be Joe Meyer, covingtonky.gov and Independence, Mayor Chris shipping nearly 13 million cases of product each year to 1,100 locations. Reinersman, cityofindependence. STEAM education comprises science, technology, engineering, arts and math curricula. Ignite org Institute, a STEAM center for high school students, opened at the Roebling Innovation Center Judge/Executive: Kris in Erlanger, Ky., just in time for the 2019-20 school year. Formerly the Erlanger Engineering Knochelmann, kentoncounty.org Laboratory Building, the Kenton County facility was donated to Boone County Schools by Toyota, Chamber of Commerce: which operated an engineering facility in Erlanger from the summer of 2007 until 2014 when it Northern Kentucky Chamber of announced the closing of the Northern Kentucky plant. Commerce, nkychamber.com The 11.5-mile outdoor trail named Riverfront Commons will connect six Northern Kentucky Economic Development Authority: Northern Kentucky river cities to one another: two in Kenton County (Covington and Ludlow) and four in Campbell Tri-County Economic County (Bellevue, Dayton, Fort Thomas and Newport). The 2.7-mile section in Covington has an Development Corporation (Tri- anticipated completion date of October 2020 and will include a 1,350-seat amphitheater and a ED), northernkentuckyusa.com river launch for kayaks and canoes, among other features of the $6.54 million project.

PENDLETON COUNTY Outdoor adventures abound

F you can drive through

Boston, Concord, Knoxville and Portland within a matter of Iminutes, you’re halfway between Cincinnati and Lexington in Pendleton County, Ky. These and other townships, along with the cities of Falmouth and Butler, Estimated 2020 population: make up a county rich in nature, 14,529 agriculture, outdoor activities Households: 5,236 and local businesses across 280 Median household income: square miles. Kincaid Lake State • $49,706 Park offers 850 acres of boating, County seat: Falmouth, Mayor fishing, swimming, camping, Ron Stinson, cityoffalmouth.com hiking and miniature golf for Judge/Executive: David Fields, outdoor enthusiasts. pendletoncounty.ky.gov The Kentucky Wool Festival pNATURAL BEAUTY Pedal boating on Kincaid Lake is just one of the many outdoor activities visitors and residents alike enjoy in picturesque Chamber of Commerce: has been held in Falmouth Pendleton County. Pendleton County Chamber of every October since 1983, Commerce, thependletonchamber. com as thousands of people gather to celebrate the rural heritage of the area. The event has grown Economic Development to include plenty of live entertainment, food vendors, artisans and, of course, sheep-shearing Authority: Pendleton demonstrations. County Industrial Authority, In 2016 Pendleton County Tourism created the Ewenique Art Walk, now an annual event in pendletoncounty.ky.gov downtown Falmouth ever September to celebrate the role of agriculture in the arts. Rose Hill Farm Winery in Butler, Ky., owned by fifth-generation farmers, grows its own blackberries and Concord grapes in a four-acre vineyard. Rose Hill produces blackberry, blueberry, apple and strawberry wines.

72 The Lane Report’s Northern Kentucky Market Review 2020 lanereport.com HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO Thriving metropolis with business and culture

STABLISHED in 1790, Hamilton County was

named for – wait for it – Alexander Hamilton, a founding father and the nation’s first secretary Eof the treasury under George Washington. The hit musical “Hamilton” sold out every performance in 2019 at the for the Arts. The Cincinnati Arts Association is planning a return of the musical for its 2020-21 season. REDI is one of the top economic development Estimated 2020 population: organizations in the United States, according to Site 816,684 pACROSS THE RIVER Northern Kentuckians Selection magazine, and it serves 16 counties in Households: 338,267 enjoy amenities not only in their own towns but Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Median household income: also in iconic venues just across the river, such as Indiana. REDI helps regional companies grow and $52,389 • the Cincinnati SkyStar Wheel. other companies locate to the area in any industry County seat: Cincinnati, Mayor imaginable, from aerospace and automotive to biohealth and health care, advanced manufacturing John Cranley, cincinnati-oh.gov and IT to food and beverage, and everything in between. County Commissioners: Denise Driehaus, Stephanie Data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis in May 2019 showed that the Cincinnati Summerow Dumas, Todd Portune, region had the lowest cost of living of all large metropolitan areas in the United States. hamiltoncountyohio.gov Last summer, the Bond Hill office of Bon Secours Mercy Health announced intentions to Chamber of Commerce: create $50 million in new payroll with 500 new jobs, contributing to the $3 billion business Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, sector of biohealth in Cincinnati. Bon Secours Mercy Health is one of the top 20 health systems cincinnatichamber.com in the country. The health management software company AssureCare is expanding its Cincinnati Economic Development headquarters by adding $10 million in new payroll with 100 jobs. Authority: Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI), Belcan, a global company headquartered in Cincinnati, acquired London-based Lagoni redicincinnati.com Engineering in September 2019 and now adds cybersecurity to its offerings. Belcan supplies engineering and IT services to the government and aerospace sectors, among others.

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO

Slower pace with easy access to urban amenities

STABLISHED in 1800, Clermont County consists of 14 townships, seven villages and two cities throughout 460 square miles along the Ohio ERiver on the east side of Cincinnati. UC Clermont College is one of two regional campus colleges of the . Located in Batavia Township on 91 wooded acres in the middle of Clermont County, UC Clermont is 22 miles east of the main campus in Cincinnati. Estimated 2020 population: On the outskirts of Cincinnati in Union Township, 205,466 pOHIO TRADITION There’s plenty of fun to locally based Total Quality Logistics is expanding. Households: 76,143 be had at Coney Island, located along the banks TQL is constructing a second building on its campus, Median household income: of the Ohio River in Clermont County. It has an approximate $20 million investment, and creating $64,183 • delighted visitors of all ages with its dozens of County seat: attractions for nearly 150 years. 600 new jobs over the next five years, most of which Batavia Village, will be in IT and sales. With 57 locations in 26 states, Mayor John Q. Thebout, TQL is the second-largest freight brokerage company in North America. bataviavillage.org A $2 million interventional radiology suite is underway at Mercy Health Clermont Hospital County Commissioners: David Painter, Edwin Humphrey, in Batavia, to construct a new 900-s.f. center that will expand patient services and provide new Claire Corcoran, bcc. equipment for the doctors who use image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases. clermontcountyohio.gov In late October, Satco Inc., a manufacturer of air cargo equipment headquartered in El Chamber of Commerce: Segundo, Calif., announced a $7.5 million investment for a maintenance and assembly operation Clermont Chamber of in Miami Township. The facility will be close to the CVG airport in Northern Kentucky, the Commerce, clermontchamber. fastest-growing cargo airport in the United States. com Clermont County is also home to Coney Island Cincinnati. Approximately two dozen Economic Development Authority: Clermont County CIC, amusement park rides were closed last fall, but look for a Coney Island rebranding in 2020 clermontcountyohio.biz focused on more water-based activities. lanereport.com Vibrant Growth 73

Propelling the community forward. SINCE OPENING IN 1947, CVG IS PROUD TO SERVE OUR REGION AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

We are deeply committed to driving economic growth, embracing what’s next and elevating the CVG experience. We are always ready to embrace what’s next.

• Record-breaking local passenger and cargo growth • Continued land development focus • Strategic workforce development

Learn more at CVGairport.com/CVG