The Data-Informed Community Decision-Making initiative empowers Northern Kentucky’s business and community leaders to drive prosperity and sustainable growth by providing accessible data, actionable insights, and a collaborative forum for informed decision-making. Through partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit organizations, the initiative addresses key regional challenges and promotes transparency by making data easy to understand and publicly available through the Northern Kentucky Atlas and Research Analyst Ashby Drummond.

What are the core components of this initiative?

Facilitating open community discussions around data, developing effective strategies, and using evidence to guide local decisions are central tenants of this initiative. Metrics and findings are shared regularly at community events to both inform the public and gather valuable feedback, helping ensure that decisions reflect the needs and voices of the broader community. By fostering research, dialogue, and engagement, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive, informed, and forward-thinking Northern Kentucky.

What are the tangible outcomes of this initiative since its launch in 2022?

 The Data-Informed Community Decision-Making initiative has made significant strides in equipping Northern Kentucky with the tools and insights needed for smarter, more inclusive growth. A major focus has been the development and ongoing enhancement of the Northern Kentucky Atlas—a publicly accessible data visualization and analysis platform. BE NKY has expanded its capabilities by adding the CaptAIn chatbot, a NKY economic indicators dashboard, and easy access to local reports, articles, and other key resources.

In partnership with the Center for Economic Analysis and Development at Northern Kentucky University, BE NKY released a landmark population and workforce study, projecting that the regional workforce will grow by only 8,450 people by 2050—underscoring the urgent need for strategic action. We also collaborated with Economic Leadership to publish an in-depth analysis of how Northern Kentucky can improve its competitiveness in economic development and long-term growth.

To keep the community actively engaged, the initiative established the Data-Informed Advisory Council, which meets bi-monthly to explore regional challenges, share research from community partners, and foster dynamic conversations about how data can drive better solutions. In addition, we’ve launched a monthly blog series that presents data in a clear, accessible way to raise awareness of local issues and spark collaboration around addressing them. Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to using data not just to inform—but to inspire action and build a stronger, more resilient Northern Kentucky.

 

What are the top five goals for the Data-Informed Community Decision-Making Initiative?

 The Data-Informed initiative is focused on deepening its impact by enhancing tools, strengthening partnerships, and advancing the use of data to drive meaningful outcomes for Northern Kentucky.

  • Enhance and Expand the Northern Kentucky Atlas:

Our priority is to make the Atlas not just comprehensive, but indispensable. While continuing to enrich it with relevant data, we will focus on improving usability—introducing features like automated report generation and download options to make it easier for partners to access insights quickly and apply them in real-time decision-making.

  • Strengthen the Data-Informed Advisory Council’s Role:

We aim to evolve the Council into a strategic driver of action by sharpening its focus on translating data into real outcomes. Through deeper engagement with key stakeholders and a more structured feedback loop, the Council will help shape initiatives that directly address the region’s most pressing challenges.

  • Support Emerging Regional Priorities with Data Expertise:

The initiative will continue to provide data analysis and guidance to emerging regional efforts—such as the recent housing initiatives led by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District—ensuring that these programs are built on solid evidence and aligned with long-term regional goals.

  • Publish Actionable, Accessible Research:

We will release targeted studies designed to spark investment, innovation, and informed dialogue. A key example is the forthcoming Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurship Study, which will explore the regional economic impact of entrepreneurial activity and identify strategies for supporting a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.

  • Leverage AI and Emerging Technologies for Smarter Access:

By integrating AI and other smart tools into our platforms, we will simplify access to local data and accelerate how quickly users can interpret and apply it. This will empower community members to focus less on data gathering and more on strategic conversations and solution-building.

Together, these goals reflect our commitment to making data a powerful, practical force for progress in Northern Kentucky—accessible to all, trusted by all, and central to our region’s future. As our communities face increasingly complex challenges and opportunities in the years ahead, data and data-informed decision-making will only grow more critical to ensuring sustainable, inclusive growth across the region.

Ashby Drummond is Research Analyst at BE NKY Growth Partnership.