ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEASTERN KENTUCKY

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Working Together to Build Opportunity Across the FIVCO Region

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The future of Northeastern Kentucky depends on strong partnerships between local governments, businesses, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and community leaders. No single organization can create long-term economic growth alone.

The FIVCO region—Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence Counties—shares a common economy, workforce, infrastructure, and future. Regional collaboration helps communities compete for jobs, investment, and opportunities that benefit residents across county lines.

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WHY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MATTERS

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Economic development helps improve quality of life by:

• Creating jobs and career opportunities
• Increasing household income
• Supporting existing businesses
• Attracting new investment
• Expanding the local tax base
• Improving infrastructure and public services
• Strengthening opportunities for future generations

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As traditional industries have changed, Northeastern Kentucky has worked to diversify its economy through manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, tourism, technology, small business growth, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

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WHO DOES WHAT?

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Fiscal Courts- Provide local leadership, funding, infrastructure investment, and public oversight. Fiscal Courts often supply the local commitment needed to secure state and federal funding.

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FIVCO Area Development District- Serves as the region's planning, grant-writing, and project-development organization. FIVCO helps communities secure funding, coordinate infrastructure projects, and develop long-term regional strategies.

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Northeast Kentucky Regional Industrial Authority (NKRIA)- Owns and develops regional industrial assets, including the EastPark Industrial Center, helping prepare sites that attract employers and investment.

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Northeast Kentucky Economic Development Authority (NKEDA)-  Markets the region, recruits businesses, supports existing industries, and works to attract private investment and job creation.

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Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce-  Supports businesses through advocacy, networking, leadership development, workforce initiatives, and regional collaboration.

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NEKY Tourism Boards- Tourism boards and tourism commissions play an important economic development role across the five-county FIVCO Area Development District by attracting outside dollars, supporting local businesses, enhancing community image, and helping create places where people want to live, work, and invest.​

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Kentucky Resources Council-  Provides technical and legal expertise that can help local governments develop policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, transparency, and protection of community interests.

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Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC)-  ACTC helps prepare the workforce that powers economic growth in Northeastern Kentucky. Through technical training, certifications, degree programs, and partnerships with local employers, ACTC develops the skilled workers needed for manufacturing, healthcare, technology, logistics, skilled trades, and emerging industries. A strong workforce is one of the most important factors companies consider when deciding where to invest and create jobs.

In many ways, if NKEDA helps attract employers and FIVCO helps secure project funding, ACTC helps ensure those employers have qualified workers when they arrive. Together, they form a critical part of the region's economic development ecosystem.

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WHY REGIONAL COOPERATION WORKS

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Employers view Northeastern Kentucky as one regional economy. Workers often live in one county, work in another, and shop throughout the region. Successful economic development requires coordination across county boundaries.

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When organizations work together:

• Communities compete more effectively for investment
• Infrastructure projects become more achievable
• Grant opportunities increase
• Workforce development efforts improve
• Economic benefits reach multiple counties

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Successful economic development requires many partners working toward a common goal.

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Fiscal Courts provide leadership and resources.
FIVCO plans and coordinates.
NKRIA develops strategic industrial sites.
NKEDA recruits investment and jobs.
The Chamber supports businesses and workforce development.

NEKY Tourism Boards showcase the region, attract tourism
KRC helps ensure responsible growth.

ACTC provides a ready workforce pathway

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Together, these organizations help create the conditions for a stronger economy, better jobs, expanded opportunities, and a higher quality of life for all residents of Northeastern Kentucky.