FT. MITCHELL, KY (March 2, 2022) – The BE NKY Growth Partnership (BE NKY) announced today that Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery and the Fiscal Court appointed Tara Halpin, CEO and owner of Steinhauser, to the BE NKY Board of Directors. Halpin fills the seat formerly held by Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, who relocated to Colorado for her new role as President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC.
“As a resident and business owner in Campbell County, Tara will bring a unique perspective to the BE NKY Board of Directors,” said Judge Pendery. “I’m excited to welcome Tara to the Board of Directors and we are grateful for Tara’s willingness to serve the Northern Kentucky community.”
Halpin was named CEO and sole owner of Steinhauser in 2018, taking over the printing firm that was founded in 1905 by her great-grandfather. She was named President in 2005 and co-owner in 2007. She is the fourth generation owner of the premium supplier of printed labels and shrink sleeves for dozens of consumer products companies in the Cincinnati region and throughout the U.S. Halpin restructured the company, adding new printing technologies and equipment that has fueled Steinhauser’s growth. Steinhauser was among the Top 25 largest women-owned businesses published in 2021 by the Cincinnati Business Courier. The company is celebrating its 117th anniversary in 2022.
“BE NKY is on a bold, new path with the launch of the Build + Elevate NKY investor campaign and we look forward to the fresh viewpoint that Tara will bring to the Board of Directors,” said Tom Banta, Chair of the BE NKY Board and Chief Real Estate Officer at Corporex Companies. “Her expertise as the CEO of a growing business serving the CPG market will be valuable to BE NKY’s work.”
In 2022, with funding from the Build + Elevate NKY campaign, BE NKY will undertake four key initiatives in addition to its core economic development work.
·      Data-Informed Community Decision-Making
·      Activate the Northern Kentucky Port Authority
·      Deliver Customized Workforce Solutions
·      Targeted Business Growth
BE NKY announced in February that more than 40 companies have invested and that 66% of the $4.5 million campaign funding goal has been raised. To learn more about Build + Elevate NKY, visit be-nky.com.
In January, a Target Industry Analysis by EY found that Northern Kentucky led job creation in Kentucky from 2015 – 2020. The analysis showed significant employment growth in four target sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Life Sciences, and Supply Chain Management & Support Services. The jobs and capital expenditures announced in 2021 complement the employment growth that the region experienced from 2015 – 2019.
Since its founding in 1987, BE NKY has led the successful relocation or expansion efforts for 746 business projects, representing more than 71,800 primary industry jobs created with a capital investment of more than $9 billion.
BE NKY is governed by a twenty-three-member board of directors, comprised of business and community leaders, who are unpaid volunteers. The Boone, Campbell and Kenton County Fiscal Courts each appoint members to the Board of Directors. The nominating committee, including the Judges-Executive from Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, approves nominees who are then appointed to the board of directors.
About BE NKY
BE NKY serves as the primary economic development company for Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties, providing marketing, and business retention and expansion services for the region. For more information, visit www.NorthernKentuckyUSA.com.
BE NKY’s vision is opportunity and prosperity for all Northern Kentuckians.
###
