Mayor Jerry Peluso, a Newport native who has led the city during an unprecedented period of job growth, new businesses locating in the city and prosperity – has announced he will seek a third term in office.
Peluso, who served on the Newport City Commission for 21 years before being elected mayor in 2009, has filed formal campaign papers for the November 2016 election.
During just the last year, 40 new businesses have located in Newport, creating 255 new jobs, while existing businesses such as Nexigen added another 150 jobs. Construction on two new hotels adjacent to Newport the Levee – Aloft and the Hampton Inn – were started in 2015. Construction is continuing on Aqua, a 239 upscale apartment complex also adjacent to The Levee, and a new Aldi grocery store on the site of a former Kmart store.
Other major projects during Mayor Peluso’s term include:
• The continued development of the wildly popular Newport Pavilion shopping center, which features Kroger, Target as well as several restaurants, retailers and services.
• New housing opportunities at the Monmouth Row and Vue 180 apartments and through Newport Neighborhood Foundations, which develops single family housing for first-time home buyers and others.
• The reemergence of the Monmouth Street business district as a major hub of retail, restaurant, entertainment, residential and office development.
• Construction of walking, biking and hiking paths as part of the Riverfront Commons riverfront trails.
• Development of the KY Route 9 improvements, a $30 million state-funded project that is connecting Newport’s riverfront with the AA Highway and Interstate 275 while opening up major economic development opportunities on the city’s far west side and along the Ohio Riverfront.
• The upscale grocery store Fresh Thyme is scheduled to open Jan. 27 in the Newport Plaza.
“Everyone knows I’m a big baseball fan, and the most successful ball clubs always have great teamwork,” Mayor Peluso said. “I have a great team to work with here at Newport. We’ve been able accomplish so much working as a team that I’m just a part of and includes Vice Mayor Frank Peluso, City Commissioners Tom Guidugli Jr., Beth Fennell and John Hayden and a professional and experienced administration led by City Manager Tom Fromme.
“We have accomplished a great deal, and I look forward to continuing to work together to bring jobs and businesses to Newport, attracting new residents, improving infrastructure and we lead the city into the future,” he said.
Mayor Peluso, who has worked in the retail industry for more than 30 years, is a fixture in Newport and is often seen along Monmouth Street and in the city’s neighborhoods, visiting residents and business owners and operators and learning how he can do an even better job leading the city.
“I know of no one who loves Newport more than Jerry Peluso,” said Jack Moreland, president of Southbank Partners, which helps coordinate and manage economic development and infrastructure improvements in Northern Kentucky’s river cities. “His passion, vision and hard work have helped spur a tremendous period of growth, progress and stability in Newport.”
Strategic Advisers press release