Covington, KY (Jan. 30, 2026) – Advanced manufacturing, information technology (IT), life sciences and supply chain management and support services are the top drivers of growth in the Northern Kentucky region, according to a target industry study by Ernst & Young and Aha! Consulting, commissioned by BE NKY Growth Partnership and released at the 2026 Annual Forum.

BE NKY will focus business retention and attraction efforts in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties on these industry sectors and their related subsectors, which boast impressive statistics for the Northern Kentucky region. Between 2019-2024, the food and flavoring industry saw 24% job growth, software design and publishing saw 52% job growth, and information technology saw 62% job growth.

At BE NKY’s 2026 Annual Forum on Jan. 30, Aha! President Amy Holloway took a deeper look at these target industries and encouraged community leaders in the Northern Kentucky region to consider target industry growth through a cluster-building approach.

“The ultimate goal is for these industry sectors to become synonymous with the Northern Kentucky region and embedded into the regional brand identity,” said Holloway. “Through a cluster-building approach, all partners in the region will ‘own’ these four target industries, not just economic development organizations.”

BE NKY will work with its partners to design entrepreneurship programs, education curricula, infrastructure investments, and public policies and incentives, and work toward improvements to quality of life, with these target industries in mind. The goal is to build on the sectors’ upward trajectory, leverage existing strengths and supply chains, increase global competitiveness, and adapt to global, economic, geopolitical, and technology trends.

Advanced manufacturing, IT, life sciences, and supply chain management and support services already have a strong presence in Northern Kentucky and, according to the report, are projected to grow in terms of employment locally and nationally, align with the region’s vision and goals, and suit the region’s assets, including workforce, education attainment, infrastructure, business climate, and quality of life.

Following Holloway’s keynote address, leaders from each target industry sector participated in a panel discussion, “Catalysts for Growth: NKY Industry Leaders,” sharing their perspectives on industry growth and why Northern Kentucky is the best place for their company to position itself for success.

Panelists included Camco Chemical President & CEO Adrian Hothem, Gravity Diagnostics Chief of Lab Operations Nicholas Lyktey, Atlas Air Director of Organizational and Operational Training Leisa Spears Snyder and STEP CG CEO Ed Walton.

“Much of our work at BE NKY is guided by our data- and research- informed approach,” said BE NKY President & CEO Lee Crume. “These target industry studies ensure we are utilizing our resources wisely, directing our efforts toward companies that we know will thrive in Northern Kentucky, creating job opportunities for our region’s families.”

The process to identify the target industries took place over multiple months and included reviews of past studies and reports, including those commissioned by BE NKY, focus groups and interviews with local industry leaders and BE NKY partners, a review of recent target industry activity, and comparing identified targets to regional and state targets and global trends.

BE NKY previously collaborated with Ernst & Young five years ago to release its first target industry study to evaluate which industry sectors would provide the Northern Kentucky region with a high-growth economy driven by high-quality jobs.

About BE NKY Growth Partnership

BE NKY Growth Partnership, the economic development company for Northern Kentucky, provides businesses with the expertise they need to build opportunity in Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties. We attract new business and elevate what’s already here to create innovative, forward-thinking, and attractive environments for companies and community success. We serve Northern Kentucky so that our community thrives through the creation of good jobs and a growing and diverse economy. We believe in Opportunity and Prosperity for All Northern Kentuckians. Visit www.BE-NKY.com for more information.