There's plenty of cause for optimism in NKY right now, despite some recent losses. The region's economy is diverse and stable; companies are spending money -- capital investment spending is up 45% so far this year over 2011 -- and companies including Amazon, Elovations, and L'Oreal USA are creating hundreds of jobs.  Says Karen Finan in an article for Cincinnati.com:  "There's a diversification within the economy here in Northern Kentucky that helps us," said Karen Finan, senior vice president at the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corp. (Tri-ED). "Because at any given time, when we do those types of (job loss) announcements, we could have two office, three manufacturing projects in the pipeline – and it's a constant flow. And so that makes for a very healthy community in Northern Kentucky." Read the full story here.

Amazon.com is creating hundreds of full-time, permanent jobs at its fulfillment center near CVG -- up to 900 of them, according to Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore, as well as up to 5,000 seasonal workers during the holidays. The expansion could nearly double Amazon's NKY workforce. Amazon opened its first distribution center in Hebron in 2005 with about 50 employees. It now has more than 1,000 full-time workers there, reflecting an ongoing commitment to the region. Read the full story here. Read the full story here.

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

Northern Kentucky's "front door" is open -- for new businesses, shops, hotels, and residents.  The region's riverfront cities -- Bellevue, Covington, Newport, Dayton, Fort Thomas, and Ludlow -- comprise Northern Kentucky's urban core and present a tremendous growth opportunity for developers. That's why the riverfront will be the focus of the third-annual Developers' Day, hosted by Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, Southbank Partners, and the Catalytic Fund, in partnership with several local sponsors. Event organizers promise a fast-paced, high-impact day, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Newport Aquarium. "We are a dynamic community offering incredible development projects for the right professional," said Jack Moreland, President of Southbank Partners. "Northern Kentucky Developers' Day will serve as the catalyst for the right match." Developers will learn about immediately available residential and commercial opportunities, as well as creative financing options and community-led projects that are driving Northern Kentucky forward. What sets this year's event apart, says Karen Finan, Senior Vice President of Tri-ED, is that it will be a one-stop shop for developers who are ready to make a deal.  "We'll have the right folks there at the right time and at the right place to answer questions, make connections and move things forward for the developer -- and for Northern Kentucky," Finan says. "It's really a project-oriented event." The day concludes in grand fashion with a scenic cruise on River Queen, where developers can see the area's potential with their own eyes and network with city leaders and business allies. "Northern Kentucky is known for the ease in which the community conducts business and we intend to welcome developers of all types – residential, commercial, industrial, retail – to the region," says Jeanne Schorer, President of the Catalytic Fund. "We will provide them the tools to succeed in Northern Kentucky's urban core."  Learn more about Northern Kentucky Developers' Day and register here.

A German-based manufacturer of magnetic separating equipment has expanded it's North American HQ, with a new 36,000 ft. facility in Walton, Ky. Steinert develops and manufactures industrial separating equipment that sorts materials for the mining industry, trash handlers, large scarp yards and more. The company moved its HQ from Erlanger to Walton earlier this year after outgrowing its Erlanger space. The company is now in a new 36,000-square-foot facility that will expand the its capabilities here. It will feature a new testing lab, manufacturing and repair facility and increase space for its parts inventory. "As the global leader in separation technology, Steinert is committed to investing locally in the US to support our growing customer base. Our new facility allows Steinert US to increase our repair capabilities and begin to bring production of our key products to Kentucky," Steinert US President Jason Looman says in announcing the move. The Walton facility employs 25 people, including five new hires this year, says company Marketing Manager Nicolle Williams. Steinert is based on Cologne, Germany, and was founded in 1889. In addition to North America, the company also has offices in Brazil, Australia and Japan. The company's clients spans the globe, and major customers include those in recycling and mineral extraction industries. Its North American office opened in 2003, moving from Florida to Northern Kentucky in late 2009. Growth locally is a response to a growing demand for company products and services, Williams says. "In the beginning of 2012 we had a higher business demand in the United States, and that led to our expansion after we outgrew our old space," she says. By Feoshia Henderson ?This story originally appeared in Soapbox on April 24, 2012.

Toyota's largest assembly plant outside of Japan -- in Georgetown, KY -- appears to be exploring options for an expansion. The Scott County plant has applied for tax incentives for a proposed $32 million project that would create 86 new jobs.  The move is just one more sign of the manufacturing recovery in NKY. Read the full story here. 

An article in Business Excellence Magazine follows DHL through the decade that's passed since its purchase by Deutsche Post in 2002. And since international flights make up the backbone of DHL's flexible, global logistics service, a huge element of its success is a good relationship with its hub airports:  "Candace McGraw is CEO of Kenton County Airport Board at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), and has witnessed the many benefits that the airport's partnership with DHL has brought. 'We have established a very good partnership with DHL,' she says. 'They account for about 40 percent of our landed weight here now, so they're a huge partner for us and we want to do everything we can to help them grow and prosper here.'