Judge-executive Knochelmann wants to improve economics, health and more 

Kenton County Judge-executive Kris Knochelmann has four major goals for the year to help the county thrive and succeed as the COVID-19 pandemic slows down and cases decrease.  

Economic development  

Knochelmann says the first priority, coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, is economic development.  

“…to make sure that Kenton county and Northern Kentucky has the ability to support and nurture job creation and all those things that can effectuate investment in the community in the coming years—especially coming out of the pandemic,” Knochelmann says.  

Supporting Meet NKY 

The second priority Knochelmann has for Kenton County coming out of the pandemic is supporting Meet NKY and branding the community.  

“I think that as we help to brand the community—again, coming out of the pandemic—so that our convention center and hotel business returns … the hospitality industry comes back and stays strong in the county,” Knochelmann says. “With the branding—with the hospitality industry—Convention and Visitors Bureau’s effort through Meet NKY so that that stays strong or becomes strong coming out of the pandemic.” 

Health and safety 

Knochelmann says that the third goal for Kenton county is ensuring the health and safety—both physically and mentally—for people.  

“When it comes to physical health and mental health, both of students and adults, that we’ve got to address the effects of the past year or so,” Knochelmann says. “Realizing that problems existed prior to the pandemic still are there. We got to deal with mental health and addiction and the factors that are negatively impacting our community.” 

CVG airport 

Knochelmann also wants to get CVG, the Hebron-based Cincinnati regional airport, to resume its trajectory that it was on prior to the pandemic as people start traveling and flying again.  

“…really work with our airport, with CVG, to continue its track record on logistics, strength and business,” Knochelmann says.