BE NKY Growth Partnership faces the same challenges as many economic development organizations in the U.S. and around the world due to global economic uncertainty:

  • slow project pipelines
  • cautious approach from clients
  • citizens concerned about growth in their communities

Uncertainty around tariffs and interest rates and the changing policies of the new presidential administration caused companies to postpone expansion and new location plans. We hear the term “VUCA” used by site selectors, professionals who work with companies on site location decisions, to describe the current business climate: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.

Although companies might take a temporary pause on site location investments, they still conduct research and planning for growing their businesses, so BE NKY continues to aggressively market Northern Kentucky as the best place in the U.S. to invest and do business.

NKY is ready for the rebound in business environment

We believe once this period of uncertainty lifts and the business climate becomes more stable, companies will move quickly to invest in manufacturing in the United States. The BE NKY team is ready to welcome new jobs and capital investment in the region. At the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference in March, consultants projected that business should “normalize” later this year.

BE NKY acts proactively in executing our economic development work, strengthening our close relationships with site selectors, business leaders inside and outside Northern Kentucky, elected officials, and economic development leaders with REDI Cincinnati and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In addition, we maintain close relationships with the citizens of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties as they welcome new businesses to their communities. BE NKY showcases the positives growth brings which includes

  • new family-sustaining jobs
  • increased tax revenue
  • improved schools
  • enhanced public infrastructure

Not standing still is key to success

BE NKY’s economic development team members are experts on the available sites and buildings in Northern Kentucky that meet the utility and infrastructure needs of corporate clients. We have deep connections with real estate developers and commercial and industrial real estate brokers working with business leaders searching for sites here and those with buildings or land on the market.

BE NKY keeps an up-to-date online database of these available sites and buildings which prepares us for when companies begin the site location evaluation process. Land and available buildings are a limited resource, and we ensure that high-growth companies creating good, high-paying jobs invest in Northern Kentucky.

Our business attraction efforts focus on four target industries identified by EY: advanced manufacturing, life sciences, information technology and supply chain management and support services. Business Growth Manager Jacob Edmonds scheduled 35 meetings with clients so far in 2025, and he continues to schedule face-to-face time with new clients in our target industries at conferences and conventions, both domestic and international.

Foreign businesses represent strong and loyal investors in Northern Kentucky, comprising 112 companies and 17,053 jobs, which makes up nearly eight percent of Northern Kentucky’s workforce.

Germany, Japan and Italy have the largest presence with a combined 68 companies. These include major employers in Northern Kentucky such as Mazak and Bonfiglioli, which respectively celebrated their 50th and 25th anniversaries in the region in 2024.

BE NKY also maintains close relationships with Northern Kentucky’s existing businesses through our business retention outreach program with a goal of meeting at least 150 local business leaders each year. As a result, project activity for new investments and expansions have increased over the last month.

In 2024, BE NKY brought to the region

  • 18 project wins
  • $499 million in capital investment
  • 1,467 jobs

According to Site Selectors Guild, site selection phases now take weeks, instead of months or years. We often respond to requests for information within days of their receipt. This offers communities with ready sites for development a tremendous marketing advantage during weak economic times. These communities are highly likely to come out ahead versus communities that ignore these practices.

BE NKY isn’t a stranger to moving forward in the face of adversity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of great economic uncertainty in 2020 and 2021, BE NKY successfully brought 3,414 jobs and $523 million in capital investment to Northern Kentucky. BE NKY provides Northern Kentucky with a competitive advantage when it comes to drawing new companies and workforce talent to our region, furthering our mission of opportunity and prosperity for all Northern Kentuckians.

Kimberly Rossetti is Vice President of Economic Development at BE NKY Growth Partnership.