By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
Newport has joined Highland Heights, Fort Thomas and Southgate as Northern Kentucky cities to sign a memorandum of understanding for the creation and implementation of strategic solutions for a U.S. 27 Smart Connectivity Corridor.
The partnership’s objective is to improve the connectivity, support cutting-edge development while providing the infrastructure for future tech-enabled businesses along the corridor. The U.S. 27 Smart Connectivity Corridor is also an area of potential economic development as it extends from Newport on the Levee to Northern Kentucky University.
Newport Mayor Jerry Peluso was authorized by the Board of Commissioners at Monday night’s meeting to execute the memorandum of understanding.
Tom Guidugli
“To be clear, the obligation is only that of the city. So if there is a specific match, that is only the obligation of the particular city. There is no spreading of other financial obligations, which has been a question that has come up. It gives the group the size to be eligible to achieve larger grants than we could ever do by ourselves.”
In addition to the Northern Kentucky cities, the collaboration includes, NKU, St. Elizabeth Hospital, the Campbell County Fiscal Court, Southbank Partners, and the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.
“The idea is to link all the cities on U.S. 27 together and improve that corridor as a group,” Guidugli added. “It will actually place it in a position in which other companies might look to locate there because it will improve aesthetically and prompt private investment.”
According to an independent study called the Smart Infrastructure Challenge, “with higher-than-average concentrations of elderly and people living in poverty, several additional problems have been identified along the corridor that need immediate attention to be competitive in a technology-driven economy and increasingly engaged community.”
Several of the problems include the need for an infrastructure overhaul to allow for stronger connectivity from NKU and elementary campuses to business and innovation districts, according to the study. It also points to reviving an economic “dead zone” and stimulating the community’s passion for health/well-being, the environment and supporting local businesses.
Will Weber
“This corridor has been under-utilized for quite some time, and when folks travel, they take 471 or even the Double-A [Highway],” said Will Weber, the economic development officer for the Campbell County Fiscal Court. “With the re-focusing on this corridor, it will allow for better traffic, say, for the students at NKU going to Newport on the Levee.”
Weber said better lighting on the corridor and improved roads will encourage motorists to commute on the U.S. 27 smart corridor.
“We’ve had quite a few regional partners buy into this corridor project as being a new vision, and a good option to connect these cities,” Weber said, pointing out the potential economic impact for businesses being near NKU and accessible by the corridor. “Finding key sites that we can develop and encourage new businesses to be close to residents really creates a sense of community for everyone.”
In other items Monday night:
•The board authorized Peluso to execute an interlocal agreement with the City of Woodlawn to provide police, fire/ems, and street cleaning services as well as property maintenance code enforcement.
Ken Rechtin
“Everybody got the notice from SD1, and rates are going up,” Rechtin said. “Inside that notice it says they have a new program, a customer assistance program. Go to their website and you can learn all about that program.
“But I want to tell you that SD1 has contracted with Brighton Center to be the portal to get the assistance. So, anybody that has a burden with that new rate increase, please go to Brighton Center. They have the guidelines, and they have the ability to get that through.”
The Newport Board of Commissioners will next convene in a regular meeting on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.
