Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet releases preliminary August 2023 unemployment report

The Kentucky Center for Statistics has reported Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary August 2023 unemployment rate was 4%.
The preliminary August 2023 jobless rate was up 0.1 percentage point from July 2023 and was unchanged from one year ago.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate for August 2023 was 3.8%, which was up 0.3 percentage points from July 2023, according to the U.S. Department...
Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer presented with 2023 KY Chamber MVP Award

Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer was presented the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award in September by Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Ashli Watts and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Kate Shanks.
Thayer was among a select group of legislators who “went to bat” for Kentucky business during the 2023 Kentucky General Assembly by displaying conspicuous actions to strengthen business, improve competitiveness,...
Kentucky’s General Fund receipts rise 7.7 percent, Road Fund increase 15.2 percent during August

The Office of State Budget Director reported today that General Fund receipts increased 7.7 percent in August compared to last year. Total collections equaled $1,076.3 million, $77.1 million higher than August 2022. Through the first two months of Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), General Fund receipts have increased 7.4 percent.
The official revenue estimate for FY24 calls for General Fund revenues to fall...
First District Cafe to open in former school in Covington, thanks to vR Hospitality

vR Hospitality is responsible for luxury hotels including Hotel Covington and recently established North by Hotel Covington and now announces the opening of a new, unique space that will bring art, cuisine, and function to both its guest and surrounding community alike.
Once a public school, First District Cafe opens Tuesday (File photo)
First District, new cafe located in the former First District...
Corporex opens home sales on third Boardwalk residences at Ovation, new plans, river views

Due to demand in sales, Corporex has opened sales on the third residential building at The Boardwalk Residences at Ovation.
A sample floor plan — 2 bedroom Ovation Boardwalk (Image provided)
Like the other two residential buildings, the first level offers unique retail, restaurant and entertainment spaces for businesses looking to become part of the mixed-used development in Newport.
Seven new...
Covington Business Council’s annual dinner plans made; Patrick Hughes earns Founder Award

Final plans are in place for the Covington Business Council’s Annual Dinner which will be held 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, November 30, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.
“After years of substantial attendance growth for the CBC’s largest fundraising event, we are pleased to work with the Convention Center in staging what we hope will be our largest and most memorable Annual Dinner, with...
Safran Landing Systems in Walton to expand its manufacturing facility — adding 92 high-wage jobs

Gov. Andy Beshear highlighted continued growth in the Commonwealth’s expansive manufacturing industry with Safran Landing Systems Kentucky announcing an expansion of its Boone County facility, creating 92 well-paying jobs.
“The economic momentum Kentucky is seeing is a direct result of tremendous growth among our largest and most vital industries, and manufacturing and aerospace are at the center...
CVG: Warning, this is just a drill but airport will test its emergency preparedness plan on Friday morning

Staff report
Warning: This is just a drill — and an important one — so please don’t be alarmed by increased presence of emergency vehicles and safety apparatus at the north end of the CVG airport campus on Friday morning.
The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) will be conducting a full-scale mass casualty training on Friday at 9 a.m.
The training is mandatory...
It’s National Bourbon Heritage Month and NKY distilleries are celebrating; it’s big business here

Bourbon enthusiasts rejoice.
While America’s distilling heritage started before the country was founded, an act of Congress first recognized bourbon as a unique product of the United States in 1964. Federal law states bourbon must be produced in America, contain at least 51% corn and mature in freshly charred oak barrels for at least two years. In 2007, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution declaring...
Covington Business Council comments on Covington Independent Schools approval of nickel tax increase

The Covington Independent Schools Board of Education approved by a 3-2 vote to add a nickel tax for property owners at its meeting last week.
The new rate will be 92.50 (or an additional $34.09 annually) for a home valued at $113,610 and 92.50 (an additional $121.71 annually) for a commercial property valued at $405,703.
The funds would be used to help provide central air conditioning for all school...
Gateway celebrates graduates of 22nd Freestore Foodbank LIFT workforce development Program

LIFT 2023-2024 graduating class (Photo from GCTC)
Gateway Community and Technical College recently celebrated the 22nd graduating class of the of the school’s Freestore Foodbank LIFT workforce development program — Logistics, Inventory Management, Facilities Management and Transportation.
Fourteen individuals were awarded their credentials and were recognized at this year’s graduation...
Jason Dudas leaving Telecommunications Board of NKY after a quarter century of service

By Andy Furman
NKyTribune reporter
After a quarter century, Jason Dudas is leaving TBNK – that’s the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky.
Dudas served as Program Director for the cable outlet.
And at 53, he says he’s retired – don’t believe him. He loves the TV business too much.
In fact, in a chat with the Northern Kentucky Tribune on his very last day of work – Thursday –...
NKY Chamber Women’s Initiative Regional Summit will address ‘mentorship,’ speakers announced

NKY Chamber Women’s Initiative’s annual professional development event, the Regional Summit, is almost here – and this year’s event is designed to address a very important topic: mentorship.
Uniquely designed to support professional women of all career stages, Regional Summit, take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2 at MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport.
“Passing the Mic: Empowering...
For Victoria Owens, selling cars just comes naturally — and she’s found her niche by doing it well

By Andy Furman
NKyTribune reporter
She’s a natural.
“She can sell me a car,” said Coby Sweeney, General Manager, Jake Sweeney Kia, Florence. “She’s a salesperson’s salesperson.”
Yes, Victoria Owens is a salesperson — the lone female on the sales staff at Jake Sweeney Kia.
And perhaps the best on that staff.
For Victoria Owens, selling cars comes naturally. (Photo by Andy Furman/NKyTribune)
“I...