FLORENCE – The UpTech business incubator, airport connector road and available office space enhance the marketability of the region, according to the CEO of the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED).
“We are trying to build a world class economy in Northern Kentucky through expansion of existing businesses and creation and attraction of high quality primary businesses,” said Dan Tobergte.
“… and there are 6,000 organizations like us (around the country) trying to attract businesses to their communities.”
Tobergte spoke to the Florence Rotary Club on Monday, October 22, about the organization’s role in economic growth and current marketing challenges in Northern Kentucky. Since its inception in 1987, Tri-ED has played an integral part in the location or expansion of more than 500 companies, representing more than 50,000 new jobs with a capital investment of more than $4.9 billion, he noted.
Northern Kentucky Tri-ED was created by the fiscal courts in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties to promote economic development. Tri-ED staff travel across the United States and around the world promoting the region.
“We show Northern Kentucky to primary businesses and find out what companies need to make a profit here,” Tobergte said. Prospective companies want to know about everything from “quality of life to technical skills and support in the workforce,” he added.
Among the current attractions for the region are UpTech and Aero Parkway. UpTech is a partnership between Northern Kentucky University and the business community that provides financial and developmental support to high-tech business prospects.
UpTech recently announced the selection of the first eight companies to receive $100,000 startup investments. NKU will provide office space, professional support and applied research to the new companies through its Center for Applied Informatics.
Aero Parkway, originally known as the South Airfield Road Project, is a 2-5-mile road that runs from Ky. 18 across from Oakbrook to Turfway Road over Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport property. A portion of the project connects the new parkway with Houston Road across from Woodspoint Drive.
“There’s a lot of land to market along Aero Parkway,” Tobergte said.
Luring additional carriers to the airport remains a challenge, however. Airlines are looking for financial incentives, tax breaks and other inducements.
“Nothing is going to happen with low-cost carriers like Jet Blue for more than a year,” Tobergte said. “There are a lot of agreements to work out.”
For information about weekly meetings, guest speakers and community service opportunities of the Florence Rotary Club, contact Brad Shipe, President, at bradshipe@hotmail.com or (859) 282-7040. Visit the group’s web site at www.florencerotary.org . Florence Rotary meets weekly on Mondays at noon at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Florence.
