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Northern Kentucky

The continuity that is most impressive in northern Kentucky is that of its business location successes. "We've had a tremendous number of projects," says Danny Fore, president of Tri-County Economic Development Corp. "We had 34 projects that were announced last year; 14 of those were new companies. Altogether, the projects totaled 2,078 new jobs, and the total investment capital reached $332 million."

The largest announcement was made by Reston, Va.-based Lafarge Gypsum, the U.S. subsidiary of Lafarge Corp. of Paris. Lafarge broke ground last July on a new $90 million gypsum wallboard manufacturing plant in Silver Grove, where it will employ more than 100 workers.

Another big win for northern Kentucky was Zotefoams' first North American production facility. The new 140,000-sq.-ft. (13,006-sq.-m.) manufacturing plant in Walton will employ 50 to 60 new employees.

Along with good labor and a central location, the availability of international flights to both Zotefoam's Britain and Lafarge's Paris played an important role in their decisions to locate in northern Kentucky.

Toyota is expanding its headquarters in northern Kentucky with an approximately $15 million investment and 70 new jobs.