Stories

NKU joins 'Innov8 for Health' competition

Friday, November 18, 2011

Source: Northern Kentucky University

More than half of Kentucky manufacturers plan to hire in 2012, survey shows

Friday, November 18, 2011

Source: The Lane Report

Fifty-eight percent of Kentucky manufacturers surveyed for the recently conducted 2011 Annual Manufacturing Wage and Benefits Survey said they are planning to hire between one and 19 employees in 2012, up one percent from last year’s results. The annual report, sponsored by the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet’s Department of Workforce Investment and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM), was released Oct. 31.

The survey showed that the positions of manufacturing employees included in the survey made an annualized average of $48,609 in 2011 and that 98 percent of the companies that participated in the survey offer health insurance to their employees, while 89 percent of those cover family members as well. Questions about benefits showed that 68 percent of the companies provide nine or more paid holidays per year and 51 percent provide an annual bonus. Read the full story here.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare launches Northern Kentucky's first ER Telepsychiatry Program

Friday, November 18, 2011

Source: The Lane Report

St. Elizabeth Healthcare will launch the first emergency department-based telepsychiatry program in Northern Kentucky this winter thanks to a $100,000 Social Innovation Fund grant announced by The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The high-tech program will enable patients experiencing mental health emergencies to receive timely, "face-to-face" professional evaluations at all five St. Elizabeth emergency departments in four Northern Kentucky counties. NorthKey Community Care is partnering with St. Elizabeth to provide this service during nighttime hours. Read the full story here.

NKU to move to Division 1 by Fall 2012

Friday, November 18, 2011

Source: Cincinnati.com

Northern Kentucky University is expected to be playing Division I sports by next fall.

An invitation from a Division I conference should come by the end of 2011 and potentially in the next several weeks.

"We've had multiple conferences approach us but we're only talking with one," President Jim Votruba said Wednesday.

He would not identify the conference. But the heavy favorite is the Ohio Valley Conference, which also includes Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University and Morehead State University. After receiving the invitation, NKU will petition the National Collegiate Athletic Association to make the move. Read the full story here.

Covington Latin opens after $10 million upgrade

Friday, November 18, 2011

Source: Cincinnati.com

Meet the new Covington Latin SchoolL the 70-year-old building has been entirely renovated, and another 40,000 square feet have been added, more than doubling its size to 76,000 square feet.

The $10 million project, paid with private donations, began last fall. Students and staff moved in two weeks ago.

"It's an exciting place," said Headmaster Andy Barczak. "The students like it and they are already taking ownership of it." Read the full story here.

U.S. Bank donates $1M to NKY development effort

Friday, November 18, 2011

Source: Business Courier

U.S. Bank will invest $1 million in the Catalytic Development Funding Corporation of Northern Kentucky, an initiative aimed at helping to revitalize Northern Kentucky’s urban core.

The commitment brings the fund to $8.5 million. The fund needs $10 million before beginning its investment activities. "We are proud to partner with The Catalytic Development Funding Corp. of Northern Kentucky in supporting improvement efforts and redevelopment projects for our urban communities," Dan Groneck, president of U.S. Bank's Northern Kentucky market, said in a news release. "These revitalization initiatives will strengthen our neighborhoods and business districts, which will lead to the attraction of new residents and create new jobs." Read the full story here.

NKU first school in nation to place free cell-charging kiosks

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: Soapbox

Students at Northern Kentucky University no longer have to worry about running out of juice before they run out of class. This fall, NKU became as the first college in the nation to install free cell-phone charging stations on campus. The initial 17 goCharge kiosks get plenty of action already, and senior network manager Bob Weber has already fielded requests for 12 more that he hopes to add in the next few months. With the capacity to charge all cell phones, tablets and mp3 players, the goCharge stations make it easy for students to stay connected while they stay on campus and do the work they need. Already popular in airports, bars and even casinos, free charging stations for electronic devices seem like a natural fit for cell-phone-toting college students who often spend long hours on campus. “There has been an overwhelming response from students and staff who have taken advantage of this free benefit,” according to Weber. By Elissa Yancey

New institute blends law, informatics

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: Soapbox

With two new joint degrees, Northern Kentucky University leads the country in connecting law students with the digital age. The Chase Law and Informatics Institute at NKU held its first classes in August. “We want to pull together the study of informatics with the legal analysis of the contractual practices which are shaping business and commerce,” says Jon Garon, inaugural director of the Chase Law and Informatics Institute. The institute offers two joint degrees; a Juris Doctor/Masters of Business Informatics and a Juris Doctor/ Masters of Health Informatics. No other law school in the country has these kinds of degrees. “There are a few schools that have law and technology programs,” Garon says. “With the convergence of the law school and the College of Informatics, we are really at a unique position. Our students will be fully immersed in the both the informatics world and the world of law ” This means studying the rapidly changing field of law in the age of enormous amounts of data and ever-changing technology, including disruptive technologies. “A disruptive technology is something that is changing the way businesses interact with their customers,” Garon says. “For example, digital photography came around and completely reshaped the industry.” With analog photography, ownership was simple. But, with digital files and the Internet, there are more questions about ownership and fair use than ever before. The technology fundamentally rewrote the social contract between the parties, so there has to be new law to govern that. Garon is a perfect candidate to run the new institute because of his background in law and teaching. “Each step in my career has been a hands-on approach to how data and media and how they are reshaping the way we think, as well as the way we do business,” Garon says. He worked with companies as the Internet grew and worked with companies to hel them deal with the security of online health information. As technology continues to evolve, there is an increasing need for companies, even at the small, family-owned level, to understand what they need to protect and how to do that. Garon hopes that the NKU institute will produce lawyers who understand how the worlds of law and information work together. “We are developing a much more strategic lawyer. One who understands not only the technical aspects of a contract, but also is able to advise a company on their internal practices and their approach to legal issues,” Garon says. “Our graduates will be the most flexible and most ready to develop processes to deal with the new world we live in.” By Evan Wallis

Feature Story

College of Informatics catalyzes growth in Northern Kentucky

Val PrevishFriday, October 28, 2011

As Northern Kentucky University celebrates the long-awaited opening of Griffin Hall, home of the College of Informatics, business leaders in the community are predicting that the impact this new learning center will have on the region will be huge.

Feature Story

Growing company: BlueStar, Inc.

Amy ElliottFriday, October 28, 2011

BlueStar, Inc., located in Hebron, provides technological solutions that power the ease of everyday life and the efficiency of organizations, from scanners at the grocery store check-out to sophisticated inventory tracking systems and security tools that control access, like fingerprint readers and retina scanners.

Feature Story

Featured location: Madison Place

ThriveFriday, October 28, 2011

Madison Place in Covington, Kentucky is a 15-story, Class A building with beautiful views of the Ohio River. It is an ideal new home for companies seeking upscale office space at a prestigious address with competitive lease rates. Located across the river from Cincinnati, Madison Place offers all the advantages of being near the CBD without the stress, parking costs or congestion.

Linamar Corporation to undergo major expansion, adding 138 jobs in Northern Kentucky

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: Northern Kentucky Tri-ED

Governor Steve Beshear joined community leaders and officials from Linamar Corporation to announce the company will make a significant investment in its Northern Kentucky operation. The company plans to purchase new equipment totaling $40.8 million and will more than double the size of its workforce, creating 138 new jobs.

"The fact that Linamar has chosen to invest more than $40 million and double the size of its workforce in Northern Kentucky speaks volumes to the region's and the state's outstanding business climate," Gov. Beshear said. "The Commonwealth is pleased to partner with community leaders and Linamar to make this growth possible, bringing 138 new jobs to the citizens of Kentucky."

Linamar manufactures and markets automotive parts and components. The company plans to add the new equipment to its existing 360,000-square-foot facility in order to produce engine components for both Ford and Chrysler. The equipment is expected to be installed immediately, with production up and running by January 2012.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Eagle Manufacturing, a division of Linamar, for tax incentives up to $4.5 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program to encourage the expansion.

"We look forward to expanding our presence in the Northern Kentucky region, and we thank Gov. Beshear and Boone County officials who worked hard to help us create a plan that makes this expansion possible," said Linamar CEO Linda Hasenfratz. "Eagle Manufacturing will add capacity in our growing automotive business, and give us advanced manufacturing capabilities in an important region central to many of our customers."

The performance-based incentive allows the company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

"This expansion is a testimony to the resources that Boone County offers in terms of people and infrastructure," said Sen. John Schickel, of Union.

"Linamar is a worldwide leader in auto components for manufacturers, thanks in large part to the men and women who work at their Northern Kentucky facility," said Rep. Sal Santoro, of Florence. "It's that commitment to our region and the Commonwealth as to why they chose this plant for expansion, which will create much needed jobs for Kentucky."

New and existing companies have announced the creation of more than 4,100 new jobs in the tri-county Northern Kentucky region during Gov. Beshear's administration. These economic development projects represent more than $600 million capital investment in the Commonwealth. "Once again, Florence and Northern Kentucky prove that when a positive business climate is present, that includes a skilled workforce and a supportive community, private investment and job creation will follow," said Florence Mayor Diane E. Whalen.

"I am pleased that Linamar has decided to invest in an expansion of their existing operations in Florence."

"Some of our best job creators are existing industries," said Gary Moore, Boone County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Executive Committee member. "I'm excited for Linamar as they bring additional jobs to Boone County. This is another example of partnerships among multiple agencies to create new jobs." Click here for more information.

Gov. Beshear announces Johnson Controls to add 45 new jobs in Northern Kentucky

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: Northern Kentucky Tri-ED

Johnson Controls Inc. will expand its Northern Kentucky automotive battery operation, creating 45 new jobs. The company's $24.2 million investment will increase the plant's square footage to accommodate additional production lines and warehousing space.

"Johnson Controls is a longstanding corporate citizen in the Commonwealth, employing thousands of Kentuckians in multiple locations across the state," Gov. Beshear said. "It is for this reason that we are pleased to partner with community leaders and Johnson Controls to make this job growth and investment possible, creating 45 new jobs in the Northern Kentucky area."

Johnson Controls Power Solutions is a global leader in lead-acid starter batteries, advanced lead-acid batteries for Start-Stop vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. Start-Stop is a technology applied to a standard gasoline-powered vehicle that automatically shuts the engine off during idle, reducing fuel use and emissions by 5 to 12 percent. The engine restarts when the driver engages the clutch or releases the brake pedal.

The company, which currently employs 96 people in Florence, will convert approximately 60,000 square feet of existing warehouse space into manufacturing floor space. Construction is expected to be complete next spring.

"The investment in our Kentucky facility will enable us to expand manufacturing of our patented PowerFrame grid technology, supporting the growth of Start-Stop vehicle technology in the United States,"said Allen Martin, vice president and general manager of the Americas for Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "We have a great history and presence here in Florence that we look forward to enhancing."

To encourage the expansion, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority or KEDFA preliminarily approved Johnson Controls for tax incentives up to $1 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance- based incentive allows the company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

KEDFA also approved Johnson Controls for tax benefits up to $105,000 through the Kentucky Enterprise Investment Act, which allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development, and electronic processing equipment.

"Johnson Controls' decision to expand in Boone County is yet another stamp of approval on the outstanding workforce available from our community,"said Rep. Sal Santoro, of Florence. "The company's decision to invest more than $24 million and create 45 jobs is a reflection on Boone County's citizens and the high quality of life available to those who live and work in the region."

"This development is great news for job seekers in Northern Kentucky,"said Sen. John Schickel, of Union. "We must continue to strive to recruit new businesses to Kentucky and give support to our existing businesses to keep Kentucky economically competitive."

"The confirmation that Johnson Controls is going forward with an expansion at its Boone County facility is positive economic news for our county and the entire Northern Kentucky community,"said Gary Moore, Boone County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Executive Committee member. "Johnson Controls has been operating in our area since 1967. The company's commitment to job growth, as well as significant capital investment is much appreciated."

New and existing companies have announced the creation of nearly 4,200 new jobs in the tri-county Northern Kentucky region during Gov. Beshear's administration. These economic development projects represent a more than $641 million capital investment in the Commonwealth.

Pomeroy, Beshear mark 30 years

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: Cincinnati.com

Hundreds of workers sought at UPS facility

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: WLWT

UPS will expand in the Tri-state, creating 600 full-time jobs. The shipping company said business is booming at its facility near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

"What's going on with the new accounts in this area is we are considered a hot spot," said Michelle Chavez, human resources manager. "People are really out there looking for jobs, and they are coming to us, and we are happy to accommodate."

Read the full story here.

Gateway receiving nearly $5M for training program

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: Canadian Business

Gateway Community and Technical College in northern Kentucky is receiving nearly $5 million from the federal government to help train American workers.

The funds come from fees paid by employers to bring foreign workers into the U.S. under the H-1B program, and the U.S. Labor Department says the grants are intended to raise the technical skill levels of American workers and help reduce the need for businesses to use the H-1B program.

Gateway, located in Covington, will receive $4.9 million to train students in information technology and instructional design technology. Read the full story here.

CVG to launch new campaign

Friday, October 28, 2011

Source: Cincinnati.com

CVG is unveiling a new branding effort that focuses on the future, airport officials say. "CVG's new branding is part of an overall plan to position CVG for future growth," chief executive officer Candace McGraw said in a statement. "This contemporary approach reflects speed and forward motion - both in terms of getting passengers on their way and our approach to doing business."

The 64-year-old airport has a sleek new logo that evokes its path from present to future and a new marketing campaign that highlights what CVG already has to offer. They were developed by airport staff and board members, Cincinnati's Strata-G Communications, and Peter Carter, a top marketing executive on loan from branding giant Procter & Gamble.

Read the full story here.

Northern Kentucky ezone taking applications for varied funding opportunities

Feoshia HendersonFriday, September 30, 2011

Source: Soapbox

Northern Kentucky tech, science and medical entrepreneurs have a chance to tap one of three state funds for seed capital through the end of this month. The Kentucky Enterprise Fund, Rural Innovation Fund and Kentucky New Energy Ventures Fund are accepting applications for funding through June 23 at 4 p.m. These three targeted funds are geared toward high-growth potential businesses in five sectors: Biosciences, Environmental & Energy Technologies, Human Health & Development, Information Technology & Communication and Materials Science & Advanced Manufacturing. In the last round of funding more than $600,000 was awarded statewide to companies. Past recipients in Northern Kentucky include Jacobs Automation, Zoomessence, Bexion Pharma, ASAP Analytical, and TodayForward. Northern Kentucky businesses can submit applications through Northern Kentucky ezone, a division of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED that has a mission of accelerating start-up, emerging and existing high-tech businesses. "This is open to early stage companies from an idea to a company that is running and looking to grow," said ezone commercialization director T. Keith Schneider. Companies can apply for a combination of direct funding (that must be repaid) or matching grants. To find out more or to apply, contact Schneider at (859) 292-7785 or [email protected]. Following are the basics on each fund:

Kentucky Enterprise Fund

Eligible Companies: Must be Kentucky-based and have 150 or fewer employees. Must be operating in one of the following industries: Biosciences, Environmental & Energy Technologies, Human Health & Development, Information Technology & Communication or Materials Science & Advanced Manufacturing. Funding: Grant: $30,000. Company must match the grant 1:1 through cash or in-kind services.Funds must be used for approved business development activities. Investment: Up to $250,000, $500,000, and $750,000, must be repaid.

Rural Innovation Fund Eligible Companies: Must be Small, Rural (located outside Fayette/Jefferson Counties), Kentucky-based company and have 50 or fewer employees. Must be operating in one of the following industries: Biosciences, Environmental & Energy Technologies, Human Health & Development, Information Technology & Communication or Materials Science & Advanced Manufacturing

Funding: Grant: $30,000. Rural funds must be spent with independent third-party partners/consultants. Grants must be repaid upon receipt of follow-on award from Rural Innovation Fund or Kentucky Enterprise Fund. Funds must be used for approved business development activities. Investment: $100,000 must be repaid

Kentucky New Energy Ventures Eligible Companies: KNEV will provide support for companies developing and commercializing products in the following areas: Alternative transportation fuels produced from coal, waste coal, biomass or extract oil from oil shale, synthetic natural gas, Ethanol produced from food crops or cellulosic ethanol, any other fuel that is produced from a renewable or sustainable source. Must be Kentucky-based and have 150 or fewer employees. Must be developing/commercializing alternative fuel and renewable energy products, processes, and services. Funding: Grant: $30,000. Company must match the grant 1:1 through cash or in-kind services. Funds must be used for approved business development activities. Investment: Any amount over $30,000. Companies must match the fund's investment on a 1:1 dollar ratio. Funds may be invested via convertible note or through direct stock.Investments can only be made in a company organized as a C Corp. or as an LLC

Writer: Feoshia Henderson Sources: ezone commercialization director T. Keith Schneider and Start-Up Kentucky

You can follow Feoshia on Twitter @feoshiawrites

Vision 2015 links with University of Kentucky to help reshape NKY

Friday, September 30, 2011

Source: Soapbox

Nearly two dozen University of Kentucky College of Design students will team up with Vision 2015 and the Catalytic Development Funding Corporation to study Northern Kentucky’s buildings and neighborhoods. Northern Kentucky was chosen as the newest addition to UK’s College of Design’s River City Initiative program. The program is a multi-year research and design project that pushes students to work directly with neighborhoods and local governments to create projects that will directly impact the cities. Other cities, such as, Louisville and Paducah, have already seen the benefits, which include forming a 100-year plan for the growth of a gas diffusion plan in Paducah that was scheduled to be shut down. Students will spend time at both UK’s campus and in Northern Kentucky developing projects in Covington and Newport. The students will create a planning study of the entire area the first semester and focus more on specific projects in the second semester. Vision 2015 welcomes the students and their ideas, which falls in line with its own 10-year plan to raise economic vitality and living standards in the area through six main focus areas and connecting local organizations. Bill Scheyer, president of Vision 2015, hopes that the partnership will bring fresh ideas to the already flourishing Vision 2015 program. “We are really excited to see what they can bring to the table,” says Scheyer. “It’s always good to see new ideas, and students are great at that.” Besides getting a fresh set of eyes trained on the area, Vision 2015 hopes that students will solidify a partnership with UK. Vision 2015 helped create the Northern Kentucky Education Council, another avenue for extended connections between campuses across the state and their northern neighbors. “We find the most powerful tool to implement elements of the community’s plan is through collaboration and cooperation,” Scheyer says. “We try to pull in as many people as we can to help make Northern Kentucky a better place to live.” By Evan Wallis

Kentucky gets workforce development grant

Friday, September 30, 2011

Source: Business Courier

Kentucky was one of 10 states to receive a federal grant for exceeding work-force investment performance goals, Business First of Louisville reported. Kentucky will receive $964,785 through the Workforce Investment Act fund based on its 2008-09 performance, according to a news release from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear's office. The state has received a grant for the program in seven of the past 10 years, totaling $9.8 million. The grant will be used to fund programs that encourage Kentuckians to pursue post-secondary education and provide career counseling and transition services for adults. The programs will be overseen by the Kentucky Department of Workforce Investment, which is part of the state's Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education's Kentucky Adult Education System. Read the full story in the Business Courier.

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