New OneNKY Center Celebrates Grand Opening in Covington

Funding to support project approved during 2022 Regular Legislative Session, broke ground in August 2023

COVINGTON, Ky.  Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear recognized leaders of several Northern Kentucky organizations who gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new OneNKY Center in Covington. The center brings together Northern Kentucky groups focused on business development, tourism, innovation and community support.

“The new OneNKY Center in Covington is a perfect example of what it means to be a part of Team Kentucky and what we can accomplish when we work together to do what is best for our New Kentucky Home,” Gov. Beshear said in a written statement. “With the opening of the center, we can support the many life sciences and biotech companies already in the region and welcome new innovators and startup companies to create more high-wage jobs and cutting-edge treatments right here in the commonwealth.”

The OneNKY Center, located at the foot of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, is the home of 10 Northern Kentucky growth organizations, including BE NKY Growth Partnership, Catalytic Fund of Northern Kentucky, EducateNKY, Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky, LifeSciKY, meetNKY, Northern Kentucky Bar Association, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, OneNKY Alliance and Thomas More University Division of External Affairs. Corporex is the development and construction manager, and Paul Hemmer Co. is the prime contractor.

The project was made possible through state, local and charitable funding. During the 2022 Regular Legislative Session, the Governor supported, and the General Assembly allocated, $15 million to go toward the LifeSciKY Lab in the OneNKY Center. LifeSciKY will provide affordable, fully equipped lab space with access to shared instrumentation, operational support services and a collaborative community. In addition, LifeSciKY will offer educational and workforce training opportunities that connect students, researchers and the broader community to hands-on experiences in the life sciences.

Gov. Beshear joined local and state officials and Northern Kentucky community leaders to break ground on the OneNKY Center in Covington in August 2023, and a topping out ceremony was held with community leaders and tenants in June 2024.

Sen. Chris McDaniel spoke on the overall long-term goal of the center: “The OneNKY Center is more than just a building; it represents the vision and collaboration that make Northern Kentucky a hub for growth and innovation. With the legislature’s investment in life sciences and riverfront development, we’ve helped lay the foundation for this project and the opportunities it will create. By bringing together business, life sciences, and civic leadership under one roof, we’re strengthening our economy for decades to come. I’m proud to see this investment in our region’s future, and I look forward to the opportunities it will create for families and employers alike.”

Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann mentioned the work that went into making the project possible: “From the very beginning, the OneNKY Center has been a true collaboration – bringing together leaders, partners and visionaries who share a commitment to Northern Kentucky’s future. This project is more than a building; it’s a catalyst that will unlock new regional partnerships and ignite growth across our community for years to come.”

Covington Mayor Ron Washington talked about the economic impact of the center on the surrounding region: “The opening of the OneNKY Center is a powerful symbol of what we can achieve when we come together as a region. By bringing so many growth organizations under one roof, we are strengthening Covington’s role as the economic engine of Northern Kentucky and building on our reputation as a hub for innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. This project reflects the true power of partnership, and I’m proud that Covington is at the heart of it.”

Christine Russell, executive director of NKY Port Authority, mentioned the new businesses locating in the center: “The NKY Port Authority is proud to deliver the OneNKY Center, the home of 10 Northern Kentucky growth organizations and the front door to the region. We are grateful to our elected leaders and business community for their support of this catalytic project that will foster collaboration and continued prosperity in Northern Kentucky.”

Christin Godale, Ph.D., executive director of LifeSciKY, spoke on the opportunities being created through the project: “With the opening of LifeSciKY, we are creating new opportunities for Kentuckians while drawing top talent from across the nation. This lab is more than a facility; it is a promise that Kentucky will lead the way in life sciences and advanced research.”

William P. Butler, founder, CEO and chairman of Corporex Cos., thanked everyone who made the project successful: “After more than 40 years as a vision for this community, the OneNKY Center has finally become reality. We are thankful to all who made it happen, the leadership of all the businesses and organizations that came together locally; and we compliment the leadership of the state, both the legislators and the Governor’s office, for their nonpartisan cooperation to make this happen.”

The investment in the center builds on the best five-year period for economic growth in state history.