International Economic Development Council Honors BE NKY with an Award for Workforce Development Initiative
[September 09, 2026] [Covington, KY] – BE NKY Growth Partnership received a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award recognizes the organization’s work in the Talent Development and Retention category for the 200,000-500,000-population group.
Each year, IEDC honors economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that consistently demonstrate excellence in the field. The honorees lead transformational projects that revitalize communities and advance the practice of economic development.
“BE NKY Growth Partnership is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its Roadmap for Workforce Development initiative,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “This award shines a spotlight on BE NKY’s commitment to its community and showcases the significant impact of economic development. IEDC is honored to present this award to BE NKY to celebrate their leadership and innovation in the field.”
BE NKY’s initiative established a multi-stage talent pipeline model for the Northern Kentucky region. Through BE NKY’s Expose, Explore, and Engage framework, students move from early career awareness to hands-on exploration to employer-connected preparation for college and careers.
BE NKY invested $440,000 in funding into three Northern Kentucky education organizations: Adopt A Class, TradesNKY and Learning Grove’s NaviGo College and Career Prep, and BE NKY staff volunteer once a month in local classrooms, mentoring students as part of an Adopt A Class team.
With support from this funding, TradesNKY hosted skill UP, a one-day regional career fair at Gateway Community & Technical College in April 2026. More than 1,100 middle school students from 20 Northern Kentucky schools explored real, high-demand careers and participated in interactive activities with professionals from more than 40 companies that perform that work every day.
During the 2025-2026 school year, Adopt A Class connected more than 2,550 Northern Kentucky students with 102 mentor teams from 51 partner businesses and organizations, and during Manufacturing Month in October 2025, NaviGo helped coordinate manufacturing-related experiences for 2,866 students from 19 schools across Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties.
“We are incredibly proud that our Roadmap for Workforce Development initiative won an award from the International Economic Development Council,” said BE NKY President and CEO Lee Crume. “This work strengthens Northern Kentucky’s talent pipeline by connecting students, educators and employers in meaningful ways. We thank our education, business and community partners whose collaboration makes this work possible, and we are honored to be recognized among organizations that turn vision into action and expand career opportunity awareness across the region.”
This year’s awards take on special meaning, as IEDC celebrates its 100th anniversary. In recognizing excellence in economic development, IEDC and its partners are celebrating successes and shining a spotlight on programs that inspire and prepare the field for the next century of economic development.
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.
About the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
Based in Washington, D.C., IEDC is the world’s largest association for economic developers. Originating a century ago, IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that represents the entire economic development profession. Members include practitioners in economic development through local, state, provincial, and federal governments, non-profits, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurial support organizations, chambers of commerce, utilities, universities, and a variety of other organizations.
IEDC is the leading voice in driving the future of the field. IEDC provides professional development through courses and certifications, networking, conferences, research, policy advocacy, partnerships, and other valuable offerings to economic development professionals across the globe. For more information, please visit www.IEDC.org.
