Campaign Funds Four New Initiatives that Will Transform Northern Kentucky

FT. MITCHELL, KY (August 31, 2022) – The BE NKY Growth Partnership (BE NKY) announced the successful conclusion of the Build + Elevate NKY investor campaign today. BE NKY exceeded the $4.5 million goal for the campaign that was announced at the launch in February 2022.

“The BE NKY board of directors is committed to achieving the goals of the Build + Elevate NKY initiatives and this new path for the company as a private/public partnership,” said Tom Banta, Chair of the BE NKY Board and Chief Real Estate Officer at Corporex Companies. “We’re grateful to the business community in the Cincinnati region for investing in Build + Elevate NKY. The campaign funds the company’s work on the four initiatives that were created with private and public sector input.”

The BE NKY team began working on the four key initiatives funded by the campaign in July.

  • Data-Informed Community Decision-Making
  • Activate the Northern Kentucky Port Authority
  • Deliver Customized Workforce Solutions
  • Targeted Business Growth

“The investment in Build + Elevate NKY by more than 60 businesses and community leaders is a true testament to the board’s vision for BE NKY to lead and guide Northern Kentucky to future prosperity,” said CEO Lee Crume. “I’m proud to share that we exceeded our goal and have more than $4.6M invested to fund the new work encompassed by the initiatives over the next five years.”

Co-chairs Tom Banta and Bob Heil, CEO of KLH Engineers, led an eight-person Honorary Campaign Cabinet with private and public sector leaders who assisted BE NKY and its board of directors in investor outreach, which led to successfully exceeding the $4.5 million goal.

The BE NKY team has grown and will continue to expand to achieve the goals of the four initiatives over the next five years. In August, Lauren Mulcahy joined BE NKY as client relations specialist, and Sydney Murray as communications specialist.

Both Mulcahy and Murray entered newly created roles within the growing company. They will support the BE NKY team’s overall goals, including the initiatives of Build + Elevate NKY. Jacob Edmonds was named Business Growth Manager to lead the targeted business growth initiative.

BE NKY is currently hiring for two additional new positions: Workforce Development Manager and Real Estate and Project Specialist.

The Workforce Development Manager will be responsible for leading the Build + Elevate NKY workforce solutions initiative. This position will work to determine the root causes of Northern Kentucky’s workforce challenges, engage existing tradable sector employers in ascertaining current workforce needs and gaps, and identify workforce trends to prepare for future business growth.

The Real Estate and Project Specialist will perform real estate-related special projects, as well as assist with activation of the Northern Kentucky Port Authority and evaluation of sites and buildings for commercial development or redevelopment. More information about these positions, as well as an opening to fill the Research Manager role, can be found at be-nky.com/about-us/careers/.

BE NKY is on pace to exceed its 2022 targets for projects, jobs and capital investment, building on its accomplishments each of the past two years. The company exceeded its 2021 and 2020 targets. In 2021, BE NKY supported 27 companies with expansions or new location announcements with 1,851 jobs and $255M in capital investment in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties.

Since its founding in 1987, BE NKY has led the successful relocation or expansion efforts for 746 business projects, representing more than 71,800 primary industry jobs created with a capital investment of more than $9 billion.

To learn more about Build + Elevate NKY, visit be-nky.com.

About BE NKY

BE NKY serves as the primary economic development company for Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties, providing marketing, and business retention and expansion services for the region. For more information, visit www.NorthernKentuckyUSA.com.

BE NKY’s vision is opportunity and prosperity for all Northern Kentuckians.

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