Northern Kentucky announces 2013 growing companies

In 2013, 21 companies announced new locations or expansions in the Boone, Campbell and Kenton County region. Over a thousand new direct jobs are projected as a result of these announcements, Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED) announced. 

Tri-ED honored the companies that located, expanded or were launched in the region in 2013 at its annual recognition event, the Northern Kentucky Thoroughbreds.

"2013 was a strong year in terms of the number of companies expanding or locating in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties," said Steve Pendery, Campbell County Judge Executive and Tri-ED Chairman. "It was also a good year in terms of jobs announced, with 1,181 direct jobs announced in 2013 resulting in 1,101 indirect or induced jobs for a total impact of nearly 2,300 new jobs for the Northern Kentucky region."

On average, Tri-ED attracts or facilitates the expansion of 22 companies in the three-county region. In 2013, 21 primary industry companies announced expansions in Northern Kentucky with eight new market entries and 13 existing companies announcing expansions and new jobs in the region. 

"The influence of the College of Informatics at Northern Kentucky University is taking hold in our region," said Dan Tobergte, President and CEO of Tri-ED. "With the location of Clear Measures and Xcelerated Learning Dynamics in Covington in 2013, Northern Kentucky is building a high-tech, informatics-based corridor. Both companies, in addition to ZoomEssence and Jacobs Automation, got their start in the Northern Kentucky ezone. We're proud of these homegrown technology success stories."

E-commerce/logistics and advanced manufacturing joined informatics in leading job creation and investment in Northern Kentucky in 2013. "Tri-ED has worked to build on our strong transportation infrastructure, geographic location and talented workforce to create a diverse, primary industry economy in Northern Kentucky," added Tobergte. "We are seeing dividends with e-commerce logistics companies like Groupon Goods and food manufacturer Newly Weds Foods locating near the airport and many existing advanced manufacturing businesses, like Lyons Magnus and Mubea, expanding."

Tri-ED launched a new initiative in 2012 called NKY Boost, enhancing its existing Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) program into a partnership effort with the region's private businesses, local governments and regional allies.

Led by Wade Williams, Vice President BR&E, and Dustin Lester, Manager in partnership with community allies, more than 121 business retention interviews were conducted with a diverse group of local manufacturing, office, IT, distribution/logistics and entrepreneurial businesses to thank them for doing business in Northern Kentucky and to assist them in identifying growth opportunities and resolving any issues constraining their growth.

In honor of Duke Energy's long standing support of economic development in Northern Kentucky, and specifically the start-up funding provided to launch NKY Boost, Northern Kentucky Tri-ED and Duke Energy annually present the NKY Boost Ally Award. The award recognizes the support of an organization for NKY Boost and its exemplary service to Northern Kentucky businesses.

"Tri-ED is pleased to recognize the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Department of Highways, District Six, with this year's NKY Boost Ally Award," said Tri-ED Chairman Pendery. "District Six provided tangible improvements to the region's transportation infrastructure, benefitting Northern Kentucky's major employers."

Williams added, "District Six was very responsive to working with NKY Boost and assisted in improving traffic flow and road conditions that have made Northern Kentucky more attractive for businesses."

21 companies announced new locations or expansions in Northern Kentucky in 2013:

• 3M
• Celanese 
• Ethos 
• Jacobs Automation 
• Meyer Tool 
• Southern Air 
• Ultimate Air Shuttle 
• Alpla 
• CitiLogics 
• Groupon Goods 
• Legion Logistics 
• NewGistics 
• Tri-State Plastics 
• Xcelerated Learning Dynamics 
• Best Sanitizers 
• Clear Measures 
• HAHN Automation 
• Lyons Magnus 
• Newly Weds Foods 
• TRIVACO
• ZoomEssence

For more information on these growing companies or economic growth in Northern Kentucky, or to find out how Northern Kentucky Tri-ED can help your company grow, visit NorthernKentuckyUSA.com.