FAQs Archive

Q: What business incentives are available for logistics technology companies in Kentucky?

A: Logistics technology companies in Kentucky can access the Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) Program for tax credits and wage incentives, the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA) for refunds on R&D and technology equipment purchases, the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation credit for workforce upskilling, and Industrial Revenue Bonds for facility expansion. BE NKY Growth Partnership provides free assistance in navigating these programs for companies evaluating the region.

Q: What makes Northern Kentucky different from other Midwest logistics hubs?

A: Unlike Chicago, Columbus, or Indianapolis, Northern Kentucky is home to three of the world’s most significant air cargo hubs (Amazon Air’s primary U.S. hub, DHL’s Global Super Hub for the Americas, UPS) within a single airport, CVG. This concentration of global freight infrastructure, combined with a mature logistics technology ecosystem including companies like Brightpick, Hy-Tek, and Stord, is unique to the region. NKY also offers industrial electricity costs 11% below the national average and a workforce with more than three times the national average concentration of transportation and logistics jobs.

Q: Why do logistics technology companies choose Northern Kentucky?

A: Northern Kentucky is the Midwest’s most connected logistics hub, offering direct access to CVG Airport, the 6th largest cargo airport in North America, alongside Amazon Air, DHL, and UPS hubs, 540+ logistics facilities, 75,000+ supply chain workers statewide, and a location within a one-day drive of 54% of the U.S. population. Combined with competitive business incentives, a growing AI and automation ecosystem, and lower operating costs than peer metros, NKY offers logistics technology companies immediate access to the infrastructure, talent, and client base they need to scale.

Q: What’s the one-day drive reach from NKY?

A: CVG emphasizes that about half of the U.S. population is within ~600 miles—a powerful baseline for 1-day ground service to major metros.

Q: How strong is river access?

A: The Ports of Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky consistently rank among the nation’s busiest inland port districts by tonnage, supporting barge strategies for bulk and cost-sensitive freight.

Q: Can I get rail-served options?

A: Yes. The Cincinnati/NKY region is served by CSX and Norfolk Southern with multiple terminals/yards in the market; several communities note frequent daily freight movements.

Q: How close could my operation be to the air hubs?

A: Logistics parks and sites in Hebron, Florence, and Erlanger are minutes from CVG cargo operations and I-71/75 ramps, enabling quick air-to-truck transfers.

Q: Is Northern Kentucky a good location for 3PLs and parcel shippers?

A: Yes. CVG hosts Amazon Air’s primary U.S. hub and DHL’s Americas superhub, giving 3PLs rare parcel density plus immediate interstate access. That combination supports faster turns, later cutoffs, and better SLAs.

Q: What’s the fastest way to evaluate NKY as a location?

A: Start with requirements (utilities, safety buffers, logistics needs, labor), then build a site shortlist and feasibility checks, exactly the work a project team can accelerate.

Q: Is Northern Kentucky a fit for advanced materials as well as traditional chemical production?

A: Yes, the ecosystem supports specialty materials and adjacent manufacturing demand, making it a strong fit for materials-forward growth strategies.