Business Retention and Expansion Program

BE NKY’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program is a free resource connecting Northern Kentucky companies with solutions to sustain their current operations and accelerate their growth, while also growing jobs in the local economy.

The BR&E program provides businesses a single point of contact for a wide range of assistance opportunities for:

  • Expansion and immediate operations
  • Identifying potential tax incentives and workforce grants
  • Recruiting workforce for business retention and expansion
  • Making connections with regional partners

Excellence in Economic Development Award

Our BR&E program is a two-time winner of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence in Economic Development Award, winning the Bronze Award in 2013 and Gold Award in 2015, in the category Business Retention & Expansion Program.

“In these challenging times to attract and retain labor, BE NKY has been an asset and great resource for our company. They provide viable recommendations and a network of organizations that we now have as business partners.”

Tom Kelly, Human Resources Manager, Close the Loop

Business Retention & Expansion Program Background

The program is the result of a two-decade long approach to retaining and expanding Northern Kentucky primary industry businesses. The BR&E program began in 1998 after conducting industry surveys in coordination with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development (CED). Numerous business and community allies provided clear recommendations on how the program should develop, including:

  • An official program
  • Staff-led
  • Coordinated with counties and local cities
  • Increased business visits
  • Customer relationship management system
  • Transparent reporting to Northern Kentucky stakeholders

BE NKY adopted these recommendations and, through a partnership with numerous allies, including Duke Energy, officially launched the BR&E program in 2012.

Contact our Director of Business Retention with questions or to gain access to assistance.