Economic Development

Life Sciences

The Cincinnati area has more than 220 businesses with involvement in the research, testing and production of pharmaceutical, medical and agricultural products including:

• Cincinnati Children's Medical Center
• P&G Pharmaceutical, Inc.
• Kendle International, Inc.

Information Technology

Cincinnati USA profits from a robust and diverse IT cluster that includes Fortune 1000 companies, a strong network of highly-rated academic institutions, a number of global IT service providers, world-class infrastructure, and passionate, engaged IT leadership. Many notable technology companies were born in Cincinnati, including Bluespring and Hyperquake, as well as technology-enabled businesses such as Paycor and Convergys.

Source: Cincinnati USA Partnership

Financial Services

Fifth Third Bancorp, Western Southern Financial Group and American Financial Group are headquartered in downtown Cincinnati. PNC and U.S. Bank also have a major presence downtown.

Source: Cincinnati USA Partnership

Consumer Products & Creative Services

Driving Cincinnati USA's strong consumer services industry and its burgeoning creative services is a strong core of global companies like Procter & Gamble, Kroger's, and Macy's. As importantly, smaller, fast-growing companies like dunnhumby USA and Lightborne Communications are helping tell the story of the region's creative power.

Source: Cincinnati USA Partnership

Chemical

Cincinnati has 35,600 skilled workers employed by the chemical and plastics companies. Of these, more than 3,000 are chemists, chemical engineers and technicians, and chemical plant and systems operators.

300 businesses involved in the manufacturing of basic and specialty chemicals call Cincinnati home including:

• Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Kao Brands
• Givaudan Flavors Corp.
• Sun Chemical

Automotive

Cincinnati is a key part of the supply chain for many companies in the automotive industry including Honda & Toyota. We are a leader in light vehicle production, with Ohio ranked second nationally (1.9 million vehicles annually), in 2004.

Aerospace

Aerospace firms have focused their attention on Cincinnati for over 100 years. From critical parts to the NASA space missions, to the world's leading manufacturer of large jet engines, Cincinnati boasts a skilled workforce, experienced professionals, and significant technology strengths.

Advanced Energy

Supported by a strong commitment at the federal and state levels, our region is poised to take advantage of the fast-growing alternative and renewable energy industry. From wind and solar to fuel cells and biofuels, Ohio and the region provide outstanding access to capital and talent for this emerging industry.

Source: Cincinnati USA Partnership

Uptown Consortium
Spirited shopping. - Eclectic dining. - Top-notch entertainment. - World-class education and health care. These reasons and more are why Uptown is Cincinnati's newest up-and-coming neighborhood! Undergoing a robust revitalization, Uptown offers a myriad of possibilities to those looking for something out of the ordinary.

629 Oak Street, Suite 306
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
Phone: 513.861.8726 x15
Contact: Tony Brown, President & CEO

Cincinnati USA Regional Partnership
The Partnership is responsible for attracting new business, jobs and investment to the 3-state, 15-county region at the intersection of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana in the Midwest region of the United States. This is achieved by marketing the region domestically and internationally, generating and managing prospects, identifying retention issues and opportunities and partnering with local communities to win projects.

441 Vine Street, Suite 300
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Phone: 513.579.3100
Contact: Doug Moormann, Vice President, Economic Development

Port of Greater Cincinnati
The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority partners with local communities to facilitate economic development within the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio. This important work enhances the use of the land resources throughout the area, resulting in the retention and generation of jobs and the generation of additional tax revenues.

1014 Vine Street, Suite 1440
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Phone: 513.621.3000
Contact: Kim Satzger, President

Ohio Department of Development
The Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and meaningful, targeted investments.

Fourth & Vine Tower
One West Fourth Street, Suite 425
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Phone: 513.852.2826
Contact: Quinten Harris, Governor's Regional Representative

Hamilton County Development Company
Hamilton County Development Co., Inc. (HCDC) commenced operations in 1983 as a private not-for-profit corporation, with one full-time employee and a volunteer board of directors. Today, HCDC ranks 48th out of the approximately 300 Certified Development Companies (CDC) across the country, and is the only such entity which includes three distinct programs to promote economic development

1776 Mentor Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45212
Phone: 513.631.8292
Contact: Harry Blanton, Vice President

Duke Energy
Duke Energy's Cincinnati USA Economic Development group is committed to enhancing the economic vitality of the communities we serve in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Our economic development activities focus on strengthening our local communities by providing a strong business climate and employment opportunities.

P.O. Box 960
Mail Drop EA503
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Phone: 513.419.5972
Contact: David Smith, Director, Ohio/Kentucky Economic Development

Downtown Cincinnati Incorporated
Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI) is a non-profit business organization with a mission to build a dynamic metropolitan center valued as the heart of the region. The organization is funded by a Special Improvement District that includes all property within the boundaries of Eggleston Avenue on the east, Central Parkway on the north, Central Avenue on the west (including the Centennial buildings), and the river on the south (excluding the two stadiums). DCI provides leadership and advocacy for important issues that ensure long-term downtown vitality, and plays an important role in working with strong partners to improve the city.

617 Vine Street, Suite 1200
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513.421.4440
Contact: David Ginsburg, President & CEO

Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC)
The formation of 3CDC was recommended by a City of Cincinnati Economic Development Task Force. Its operations are funded privately, through business contributions as well as support from foundations and other philanthropic sources. 3CDC works collaboratively with its corporate partners as well as the City of Cincinnati and the state of Ohio.

1014 Vine Street, Suite 1420
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513.621.4400
Contact: Steve Leeper, President & CEO

Railroad

CSX and Norfolk Southern provide long-haul freight service through the region. Both railroads have major classification and intermodal yards in Cincinnati. Rail America provides regional freight service while Amtrak provides passenger service to Chicago, Indianapolis, Washington, and New York.

Public Transportation

The Metro bus system links downtown with the surrounding suburbs of Cincinnati while TANK links downtown with northern Kentucky.

Port Facilities

The Port of Cincinnati is the 5th largest inland port; 52.3 million tons pass annually through Cincinnati and the Ohio River.

Source: Cincinnati USA Partnership

Passenger Rail Service

The Ohio Rail Development Commission is working to plan and build the “3C” passenger rail line, which will provide service from Cincinnati to Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland. Amtrak estimates that the 3C line will serve more than 478,000 riders in its first year of operation, making it the 12th largest passenger generator in the nation. In late January, the federal government announced that it is providing $400 million in funding for the project through the American Relief and Recovery Act, which is nearly the entire cost. To learn more, visit the Ohio Department of Transportation page.

Interstate

Cincinnati has 5 interstates that connect the region to the U.S.:

• I-71, Louisville to Cleveland
• I-75, Miami to Ontario, Canada
• I-74, Davenport, Iowa to Cincinnati
• I-471 and I-275 serve the regional market

Airport

The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is located 15 minutes south of Downtown Cincinnati and is Delta Airlines 2nd largest hub. CVG has daily, direct service to 90 domestic and international destinations via 190 flights per day. With 17 passenger and cargo airline services, CVG has more flights than Columbus, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Lexington, and Louisville combined. In addition to CVG, Cincinnati owns a general aviation airport providing services to corporate and personal aircraft.

Air Courier Services

Local courier hubs include FedEx and UPS.

Unemployment Insurance

0.4% to 9% (experienced rate) of the first $ 9,000 of wages paid to each employee. The new business rate for all employers, except those engaged in the construction industry is 2.7%. For employers engaged in construction, the new business rate is the average rate for the industry, or 5.0% for the calendar year 2007. For further information contact Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (614) 466-6282.

Sales Tax

The sales tax in Hamilton County is 6.5%.

Local Earnings Tax

• The local earnings tax in the city of Cincinnati is 2.1% on individual income and net profits.
• The City does not tax stock options.

Property Tax

• Ohio property rates are 2007 rates, payable in 2008.
  Ohio's real property assessment ratio is 35%.
• Tax on real property is reduced by a factor, which varies from district to district and varies between residential and agricultural property and commercial and industrial property. The reduction factors do not apply to the tax on other types of property.
• The effective rate for residential and agricultural property is 57.566487.
• The effective rate for commercial and industrial property is 68.688188.

For additional information contact the Ohio Department of Taxation's Income Tax Division.

Individual State Income Tax

Ohio personal income tax rates will decrease 4.2% per year or 21% over 5 years beginning with taxable years 2005 through 2009. The top marginal rates will decrease from the 2004 rate of 7.5%, to 5.925% for taxable year 2009.

Ohio levies an income tax on modified federal adjusted gross income (AGI). The same rate applies to both separate and joint returns; however, a joint filing credit is allowed on a joint return if each spouse has earned income of $500 or more. The joint filing credit ranges from 20% of the tax (if Ohio taxable income is $25,000 or less) to 5% of the tax (if Ohio taxable income is more than $75,000), not to exceed $650. Personal and dependency exemptions are $1,450 with an additional credit of $20 per exemption. There are no itemized deductions and there is no deduction for federal income tax.

The Ohio rate schedule is as follows:

Corporate Franchise/State Income Tax

On June 30, 2005, Ohio Governor Taft signed Amended Substitute House Bill 66 (“House Bill 66”), Ohio's biennial budget bill. House Bill 66 dramatically restructures Ohio's tax system for most business taxpayers. The centerpiece of the legislation is the phase out over 4 years of the Tangible Personal Property tax and, for most corporations, the phase out over 5 years of the Franchise tax. These taxes will be replaced with a Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) that will be phased-in over a 5 year period.

Water

Cincinnati enjoys an almost limitless supply of high quality potable water, at rates among the lowest in the country.

Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW), largest of several water works in the service area, has been a municipally-owned and operated utility since it was purchased by the City of Cincinnati in 1839.

GCWW has always taken the lead in water quality research and technology to protect public health.  It has been featured nationally for it's state-of-the-art water treatment and research. To ensure the highest quality drinking water, water is tested more than 300 times a day from the source through treatment and in the distribution system.

GCWW supplies more than 48 billion gallons of water a year through 3,000 miles of water mains to about 235,000 residential and commercial accounts. GCWW's service area has grown to include the entire City of Cincinnati, most of Hamilton County, and parts of Butler and Warren Counties in Ohio.  In 2003, GCWW started selling water to Boone County and Florence, Kentucky via a pipeline installed under the Ohio River.

GCWW uses the latest treatment techniques in its state-of-the-art facilities to remove harmful contaminants. Cincinnati has been recognized nationally for its excellent drinking water. GCWW has always met or exceeded all state and federal health standards for drinking water.

Telephone

Cincinnati Bell delivers powerful, fully integrated, state-of-the-art networks supported locally by thousands of experts. Cincinnati Bell provides dedicated local account teams, strategic customer
service resources, and partnerships with industry leaders like Avaya, Cisco, Nokia, Motorola, EMC, Citrix, Psion Teklogic, HP, Nortel, Sun Microsystems, and Microsoft.

In addition they provide:

• Local SS7 signaling with dual switches
• 87 switch locations and 99.9997 availability
• 3,500 route miles of fiber in the Greater Cincinnati region
• 640+ SONET self-healing fiber optic rings
• 24 7 local NOC monitoring and technical support
• 90+ NOC specialists
• 500+ install/repair technicians
• 3,000 employees based in Cincinnati
• 135 years of experience

Sewer

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD, or MSD-GC) serves the wastewater removal and treatment needs of over 800,000 customers in Hamilton County, Ohio (USA). MSD is currently implementing a multi-million dollar overhaul of the entire sewer system.

Gas & Electric

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power companies in the United States. They supply and deliver energy to approximately 4 million U.S. customers. They have approximately 36,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity in the Midwest and the Carolinas, and natural gas distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. In addition, they have more than 4,000 megawatts of electric generation in Latin America. They are also a joint-venture partner in a U.S. real estate company.

The company is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., and is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK.