COVINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Ron Washington met with local manufacturers earlier this month for a manufacturers’ roundtable hosted by Atkins and Pearce, bringing together business leaders and community partners to discuss challenges facing the manufacturing sector and opportunities for collaboration. 

The roundtable was the first gathering of its magnitude in Covington since 2018 and provided an opportunity for local manufacturers to share their experiences directly with the Mayor and the City’s Economic Development Division. 

Manufacturing is one of the five target sectors identified by the City’s Economic Development Division as a focus for business growth and development. 

Much of the conversation centered on workforce needs, including training, competitive salaries, housing affordability, and strategies for attracting and retaining talent. Leaders also discussed transportation challenges and potential solutions, including providing bus transportation for workers. 

Another key topic was building a stronger talent pipeline for manufacturing jobs. Participants discussed potential partnerships with local high schools that could introduce students to manufacturing careers and help connect young people with opportunities in the industry. 

Representatives from Gateway Community & Technical College, Northern Kentucky Area Development District, NKY Works, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and the Covington Business Council joined representatives from Atkins and Pearce, Indy Honeycomb, Weir-ESCO, and Iofina Chemical for the discussion. 

The gathering also provided an opportunity for community and workforce organizations to share resources and explore ways they can work together to address the needs of local manufacturers. 

The City of Covington is committed to maintaining an open dialogue with local businesses, understanding the challenges they face and connecting them with resources and partnerships that can help them grow.