BE NKY Growth Partnership annually measures our impact on the Northern Kentucky region. We track metrics including project wins, new jobs, and capital investment for each calendar year.
Since 2019, BE NKY won 109 projects creating 9,218 jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment. However, this is just the beginning of the impact these numbers have on the region.
BE NKY’s full economic impact includes the indirect jobs created and the increasing tax revenue going to counties, cities, school districts, local infrastructure projects and emergency services.
Governor Andy Beshear announced in March 2025 that Kentucky ranked in the top five for economic development projects per capita. Additionally, Kentucky ranked second in Site Selection Magazine’s 2024 Governor’s Cup rankings for the South Central region for regional projects per capita. Northern Kentucky’s project wins contribute significantly to the Commonwealth’s success.
Investment in BE NKY returns to the community
BE NKY provides the Northern Kentucky community with a tenfold return on investment in relation to its funding. Over 10 years, the local economic impact of the 109 projects won since 2019 will be nearly $157,000,000.
As an example, in 2024 DHL Express broke ground on a state-the-art aviation maintenance facility and expanded aircraft apron at the company’s global superhub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. This $292 million investment will create 300 new, full-time, high-quality jobs for the region.
In 2023, Whitehorse Freight cut the ribbon on a $5.4 million expansion project in Crestview Hills, creating more than 400 jobs. Whitehorse purchased an existing 51,000-square-foot building in response to the company’s rapid growth.
In 2022, the PPD Clinical Research Business of Thermo Fisher Scientific announced a $59 million expansion of the company’s facility in Highland Heights. This project includes an expansion and renovation of the company’s lab, creating 200 full-time jobs.
On top of the $356 million directly invested by these three companies, another $28.5 million in economic impact will occur across Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties. This information was compiled by BE NKY with impact data from Implan.
Indirect job creation benefits thousands of Northern Kentuckians
For every two jobs BE NKY brings to the region, more than one indirect job is created in other industries. These include bankers, lawyers, and accountants, as well as healthcare institutions, retail stores, restaurants, dentists’ offices, dry cleaners, and more.
Many of BE NKY’s project wins also help support jobs outside a specific company. In 2024, Chick-fil-A Supply announced plans for a $100 million distribution facility in Elsmere. This facility will create 178 full-time jobs as it supports jobs at 150 Chick-fil-A restaurants in the region.
In April 2025, Bakery Express Midwest cut the ribbon on its $20 million bakery in Boone County. Through production and distribution of fresh baked goods, this facility supports jobs at local Wawa convenience stores as the company expands rapidly in the Midwest.
Site development drives growth in all areas of supply chain management, manufacturing
Since 2019, advanced manufacturing leads capital investment and indirect and induced jobs in Northern Kentucky, creating an estimated 2,489 of these types of jobs combined. This sector also created more than 30 percent of the region’s direct jobs.
Manufacturers invest significant amounts of time and money into their facilities, developing operations that employ families for generations. According to the Cincinnati Business Courier, Greater Cincinnati boasted 122,900 manufacturing jobs as of April 2025, the highest count since 2007. Northern Kentucky significantly contributes to growth in these jobs.
Project wins in the supply chain management industry provided the largest total local impact in Northern Kentucky since 2019. These companies created 3,602 jobs and BE NKY expects another 3.9% growth in employment through 2029.
In December 2023, the Global Logistics Park Project at CVG Airport received final approval of $3.6 million in Kentucky Product Development Initiative funds. This Commonwealth program provides financial support for site and building upgrades.
The Global Logistics Park will enhance CVG’s already-thriving cargo network. Home to Amazon Air and the DHL Express Global Superhub, CVG ranks as one of the fastest-growing cargo airports in North America and 20th largest in the world.
Companies such as L2 Aviation and FEAM AERO chose Boone County due to the region’s robust aviation supply chain. In April 2024, FEAM AERO celebrated the grand opening of its $45 million three-bay hangar at CVG. This maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company serves both passenger and cargo planes, providing aircraft line maintenance and A-check services to domestic and international air carriers flying transport category aircraft. This expansion creates nearly 250 full-time positions. This adds to the 300 people already employed by FEAM at CVG.
FEAM AERO’s customers include Amazon Air, UPS, DHL, and major passenger carriers. In April 2024 Epic Flight Academy partnered with FEAM AERO to open an aircraft mechanic school. These students study to become FAA-certified airframe and powerplant (A&P) aviation mechanics.
Amazon Air and DHL transport thousands of pounds of cargo every day in and out of CVG. A&P mechanics trained at Epic Flight academy will fix and maintain these planes in hangars located at CVG.
At BE NKY, we’re excited to see companies across the advanced manufacturing, aviation and supply chain industry sectors supporting one another and creating career opportunities for today’s families and future generations. With each new project win, we help strengthen the diverse economy and help secure a prosperous future for Northern Kentucky.
Lee Crume is President & CEO of BE NKY Growth Partnership.
