Covington, KY – BE NKY announced today that in 2015, 27 primary industry companies expanded, located, invested or announced new jobs in the Boone, Campbell and Kenton County region resulting in a projected 2,435 new direct jobs and more than $459.8M in capital investment. BE NKY will honor those companies that located, expanded or were launched in the region in 2015 at its annual recognition event, the Northern Kentucky Thoroughbreds, on February 17, 2016 at the Drees Pavilion in Devou Park.
“With 27 companies announcing new locations and expansions in Northern Kentucky – the highest number over the previous three years – 2015 was an outstanding year for the region,” said Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore, BE NKY Board Chair. “The manufacturing, aviation and office sectors led investments and new jobs in the region, with capital investments announced in 2015 double those in 2014. Northern Kentucky is home to DHL and ecommerce logistics companies that also provided significant job and capital investment growth in 2015.”
On average, BE NKY attracts or facilitates the expansion of 22 companies in the three-county region each year. In 2015, 27 primary industry companies announced expansions in Northern Kentucky with eight new market entries and 19 existing companies announcing expansions and new jobs in the region.
“Northern Kentucky experienced significant growth from existing industries in our target industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing and office headquarters in 2015,” said Dan Tobergte, president and CEO of BE NKY. “The strength of investment in 2015 continues to show the importance that our three counties contribute to Greater Cincinnati’s economic vitality and success.”
In November, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in third place
nationally in the 2015 Business Climate Ranking. Kentucky leapt from eighth place last year – the largest increase of any state in the 2015 Ranking – to achieve its highest position ever.
“We’re working with our primary industry companies to enhance a prepared workforce for our high growth industries through the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Coalition,Northern Kentucky Chapter of the Kentucky Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) apprentice program, Gateway Community & Technical College and Northern Kentucky University,” added Tobergte. “The first class of NKY FAME will graduate in 2017, after completing the 18 month program, and applications are currently open to high school students graduating in Spring 2016.”