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Manufacturing, Life Sciences Fueling Northern Kentucky’s Growth

Diverse industries are supporting manufacturing and employment growth in the “peak” of Kentucky.

Q1 2024
Gravity Diagnostics is a state-of-the-art CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory licensed in all 50 states, which provides innovative diagnostic testing in the areas of toxicology, pharmacogenetics, infectious and upper respiratory diseases, blood, and COVID-19. Courtesy of Gravity Diagnostics, Covington, KY
Gravity Diagnostics is a state-of-the-art CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory licensed in all 50 states, which provides innovative diagnostic testing in the areas of toxicology, pharmacogenetics, infectious and upper respiratory diseases, blood, and COVID-19. Courtesy of Gravity Diagnostics, Covington, KY
Editor’s Note: This article was paid for and written by the BE NKY Growth Partnership and approved by Area Development.


Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties are the “peak” of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and collectively make up Northern Kentucky (NKY) — where the Midwest meets the South and bourbon meets brewing fanaticism in the Cincinnati MSA. Our thriving region also boasts amazing assets including four professional sports teams, world-class parks and museums, and five Fortune 500 companies.

With a labor shed of 1.5 million people, NKY focuses on four industry sectors that lead our growing and diverse economy. These sectors, identified in a 2022 Target Industry Study by EY, include advanced manufacturing, life sciences, information technology, and supply chain management and support services.

Advanced manufacturing in NKY includes Tier 1 automotive, food and flavoring, aviation, and aerospace companies. These leaders performed strongly in the region in 2023, accounting for 69 percent of new projects and 56 percent of new jobs announced. BE NKY forecasts advanced manufacturing employment will grow by near double-digits through 2025.

Major expansions from Bakery Express Midwest, Matrix Pack North America, Castellini, and Safran Landing Systems Kentucky accounted for nearly 600 new job announcements in 2023. Safran produces and refurbishes advanced carbon composite brake disks and produces aluminum alloy wheels and brakes for large commercial and military aircraft.

With a labor shed of 1.5 million people, NKY focuses on four industry sectors that lead our growing and diverse economy. “Safran Landing Systems is a key contributor to the Kentucky aerospace manufacturing industry, as reflected by our steady growth over the years,” said Philippe Garnier, CEO and general manager of Safran Landing Systems Kentucky. “This new investment will allow us to bolster our manufacturing capabilities with the addition of new equipment and strengthen our workforce to meet increased production volumes as we support our U.S. military and commercial customers.”

BE NKY expects employment in the life sciences industry to grow at an even greater rate of 30 percent for the period 2020-2025. Major local companies include Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Gravity Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services. Another unique life science asset includes the Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory’s biospecimen repository, which houses more than two million human tissue cancer and non-cancer specimens.

The new OneNKY Center will house many NKY growth organizations, as well as the new Covington Life Science Lab. This lab will provide cost-effective research and development facilities with shared equipment and office space, as well as educational and training opportunities, to life science startup companies.

BE NKY expects employment in the life sciences industry to grow at an even greater rate of 30 percent for the period 2020-2025. If you’ve been to Cincinnati, then you know the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is in NKY. CVG currently ranks as the sixth-largest and fastest-growing cargo hub in North America thanks to a 149 percent increase from 2015 to 2022. DHL Express Global Superhub and Amazon Air cargo hub chose CVG for their North American operations. DHL and Amazon’s presence led directly to NKY’s cargo and MRO industry growth with companies like FEAM AERO, DHL (MRO), and Atlas Air contributing significantly.

Northern Kentucky is prosperous and has an outsized impact on the success of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region. Our leaders and community organizations, crossing county and city lines, are working collaboratively to grow the region and attract new companies and talent. When it comes to taking your businesses to new heights, the “peak” of Kentucky is second to none.

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