By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
The City of Florence First Quarter Economic Development update shows continued growth in all areas and several new projects in the pipeline.
More than 2,500 businesses including start-ups, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, corporate headquarters and a wide range of retailers and restaurants, have a presence in Florence.
The diverse economic mix of businesses and merchants secures Florence’s place as one of the largest employment markets in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region.
The economic development update also provided a demographic profile.
The city has a population of 32,199, with an average age of 38.2 years and a median household income of $51.766. The average median household income in the State of Kentucky for the year 2015, the last year for which statistics were available, was $45, 215, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Retail and restaurants continue to be a leader in the city’s economic growth, but other segments remain strong. A senior living facility, for example was just completed and additional senior housing is under construction.
Recently completed projects in the city include two business located on US 42.
Dollar Tree is located in the former CVS Building and Alpha Hometown Pizza and Pasta, is a new-to-the-market restaurant that serves homemade pizzas, pasta and spaghetti.
Another new addition to the Florence landscape is Magnolia Springs Senior Living on Ewing Boulevard, which features 100 assisted living senior residential units on a 7.5 acre site. Integrity Staffing Solutions on Mall Road will link residents with workforce opportunities in Northern Kentucky.
Other retailers include Colorful Glass Creations in Florence Mall and Shoes For Crews on Turfway Road. The Law Offices of Blake Maislin on Dream Street and hair stylist Hair by Jayme on US 42 are also new to Florence.
Projects currently under construction, with profiles and planned opening dates include:
Outback Steakhouse
8030 Mall Road
*2.7 acre development site;
*Foundation/grading work underway;
*Planned opening Spring 2017
Chick-Fil-A
8050 Mall Road
*2.3 acre development site;
*Grading work completed;
*Planned opening Summer 2017
Bear Paddle Swim Club
4102 Seligman Drive
*1.2 acre development site;
*Finished building will be 10,268 sq. ft.,
with a salt water heated pool;
*Planned opening Spring 2017
CVG Ted Bushelman Development
Ted Bushelman Boulevard
*170 acre development;
*Bosch expansion is currently under construction;
*Other potential sub-divided parcels currently
in the negotiation process.
Hilton Home to Suites
7570 Woodspoint Drive
* 3.1 acre development site;
* 109 room hotel currently being constructed;
* Planned opening Summer 2017.
Cardinal Drive Storage
7869 Cardinal Drive
*2.2 acre development site;
*Construction is ongoing;
* Planned opening Summer 2017.
Comfort Suites Hotel
5895 Merchant Drive
*1.5 acre development site ;
*82 room hotel currently being constructed;
*Planned opening Summer 2017.
Corelife Eatery
6785 Houston Road
*New to the market restaurant;
*Menu choices focus on healthy alternatives
such as tofu, anti-biotic free range chicken,
no GMO’s or artificial flavors.
* Planned opening Spring 2017.
Villages of Florence Senior Apartments
Hopeful Church Road
*33 acre development site;
*177 single-story rental apartment homes planned;
*Grading and utility work is currently taking place
with a tentative completion date of Fall 2017.
Villages of Weaver Senior Apartments
Weaver Road
*9.2 acre development site;
*56 single-story rental apartment homes
planned;
*Planned opening Fall 2017.
Rapid Fired Pizza
7555 Mall Road
*New to the market pizza restaurant;
*This is the first chain to open in the state of
Kentucky and has a pretty big fan base;
*Restaurant specializes cooking a wide variety
of specialty pizzas in 180 seconds;
*Planned opening Spring 2017.
Projects in the planning stages include Mattress Firm on Woodspoint Drive, Menards on Apex Lane off of Mall Road, Dominion Senior Living on Seligman Road, Casual Male XL on Mall Road, Victory Lane Oil Change on Bill Wentz Drive and French Quarters Phase 4, a residential development in the Orleans North subdivision.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com