Food, Flavor & Beverage Industry Leaders Choose Northern Kentucky
Strategically positioned to create, make, package and distribute food, flavors, candy, beer, spirits and perishables, Northern Kentucky is experiencing high growth and expansion in food research, manufacturing and distribution. Our region is also home to nationally recognized craft breweries and distilleries.
SUPERIOR SUPPLY CHAIN ADVANTAGES
Ideal for Talent: The Cincinnati region is the #1 best city in the nation for college graduates. (Source: SmartAsset 2020)
- Cost: Northern Kentucky offers a lower cost business climate than other metros that specialize in food, including Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta. (Source: KPMG Competitive Alternatives Report, 2016)
- Location: The Cincinnati region and Northern Kentucky are the #1 location in the country for population served within one day’s drive. (Source: Claritas, 2018)
LOCALLY-SOURCED TALENT
With a labor shed of over 1.1 million people and more than 10,000 people currently employed in food R&D, processing and manufacturing, Northern Kentucky offers both professional and production workers to supply the food and flavoring industries. Northern Kentucky also offers a comparable, if not lower, labor cost compared to metros like Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago.
| Job Title | Empl. | Avg. Annual Wages | Avg. % Growth, Cincinnati MSA |
Avg. % Growth, USA |
| Bakers | 1,425 | $30,800 | 3.1% | 2.1% |
| Butchers, Slaughterers, Packers, Cutters & Trimmers |
2,889 | $26,567 | -3.0% | -1.5% |
| Food Batchmakers | 1,608 | $36,500 | 8.4% | 4.8% |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators & Tenders |
361 | $33,200 | 1.7% | -1.3% |
| Food Scientists & Technologists | 142 | $91,000 | 4.3% | 2.3% |
| Food Science Technicians | 118 | $50,000 | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Meat, Poultry, Fish Cutters & Trimmers |
764 | $24,600 | -1.2% | 0.6% |
| Mechanical Engineering Technicians |
461 | $54,600 | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Mechanical Engineers | 2,789 | $88,100 | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| Total | 10,557 | $48,374 |
Source: JobsEQ, 2019
MAJOR NORTHERN KENTUCKY FOOD, FLAVOR & BEVERAGE COMPANIES
More than 30 food and flavor companies, breweries and distilleries are already located in Northern Kentucky, with additional companies located throughout the Cincinnati region.
