Northern Kentucky's Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (TRI-ED) now has strong numbers to back claims that it continues to attract local, national, and international companies to Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties.
The numbers
In its first annual report, prepared by Northern Kentucky University's Center for Economic Analysis and Development, TRI-ED reports for 2013, 21 companies announced new locations or expanded in the region. They invested $152 million in land, buildings and equipment. Together these companies promise to create 1,181 new direct jobs. The economic impact is expected to be $466 million in Northern Kentucky.
The numbers are slightly down from 2012. TRI-ED reports in 2013 new or expanding companies created 900 fewer jobs and spent $50 million less in capital investment.
The proof is in visits by the Governor
President and CEO of TRI-ED Dan Tobergte said Governor Steve Beshear and Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson came to the three county region a lot last year. "Believe it or not we had the governor and lt. governor up here for eight different occasions in Northern Kentucky in 2013 to either cut a ribbon or break ground on a new or expanded facility," Tobergte said. "We kind of think that might be a regional record."
Northern Kentucky is building a "high-tech, informatics-based corridor"
The 21 expanding companies include Newly Weds Foods, Ultimate Air Shuttle, (reported by WVXU when the initial announcements were made) Southern Air, 3M, Celanese, Ethos, Jacobs Automation, Meyer Tool, Alpla, CitiLogics, Groupon Goods, Legion Logistics, NewGistics, Tri-State Plastics, Xcelerated Learning Dynamics, Best Sanitizers, Clear Measures, HAHN Automation, Lyons Magnus, TRIVACO, and ZoomEssence.
Why companies are coming to NKY
Clear Measures, a data base administration specialization company, said it was made to feel wanted. Vice President Phillip Rountree said his company used to be in Ohio but moved to Kentucky when it needed more space. "We were pursued by many locations with interest but only Northern Kentucky with passion," Rountree said. He added the company did consider moving back across the river but "it's the difference between being interested and being wanted."
Brian Kincaid with Ethos echoed Rountree's claims. He said his company started in Fairfield, grew rapidly and didn't initially think of going to Northern Kentucky. Kincaid was impressed by Northern Kentucky's willingness to make doing business easy. "Communication is just a phone call away. Answers to questions usually occur in just a couple of days," Kincaid said.
TRI-ED is confident more companies will break ground and expand into 2014 and beyond.
