Today the Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee, led by Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights), released its version of the Commonwealth’s budget. The Senate’s budget includes a $150 million proposal to establish the “Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence,” an innovation, entrepreneurship, and life sciences campus in Covington. 

 “The Senate’s proposed budget, thanks to the work of Sen. Chris McDaniel, aided by Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, is a historic opportunity to diversify Northern Kentucky’s economy beyond its core strengths in industrial, commercial, and residential real estate,” stated Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann. “Thanks to Senator McDaniel, we can control our destiny by assembling the tools necessary to fully develop the scientific and entrepreneurial talents of our community."

 The city of Covington possesses an emerging cluster of life sciences companies led by CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services, Gravity Diagnostics, and Bexion Pharmaceuticals. In support of this growing community, and at the request of the city of Covington, Sen. McDaniel secured $15 million in 2022 to build a life sciences laboratory within the OneNKY Center, currently under construction with a planned opening in 2025. 

The establishment of the Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence will further support the existing life sciences community and create new opportunities for innovation and economic development.

Chase Law 

A key component of the Center will be a new facility for Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law.  Founded in 1893, Chase Law delivers high-impact legal education with specialty programs focused in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. The new Chase Law will be within two miles of Greater Cincinnati’s 25 largest law firms and five federal and state courthouses. It will give Chase Law immediate access to unmatched training and career development resources, and its location in the urban core will enhance student recruiting.

With a new location at the center of Greater Cincinnati’s business community, Chase Law’s existing reputation and long-standing programs related to business law and entrepreneurship will make it a premiere destination for students seeking to create and grow companies. In particular, Chase Law’s proximity to the planned SparkHaus, an entrepreneurial hub in Covington designed to foster Northern Kentucky’s next generation of business leaders, will generate significant opportunities for its students. 

Many of Kentucky’s greatest entrepreneurs honed their skills as lawyers before growing the Commonwealth’s most iconic companies, from David Jones Sr. and Wendell Cherry of Humana to Bruce Lunsford of Vencor. The new Chase Law facility will optimize its opportunities to be a leader in growing the economy for generations to come.  

"We are excited about Sen. McDaniel's proposal to make NKU Chase College of Law a cornerstone in the Commonwealth’s Center for Biomedical Excellence in Covington. Through our continued partnership with the UK College of Medicine’s Northern Kentucky campus, this initiative will position Chase and UKCOM as pioneers, actively shaping the entrepreneurial and life sciences landscape in Northern Kentucky. Senator McDaniel’s proposal will not only benefit our students’ academic and professional development but also strengthen our ability to serve our region," stated NKU President Cady Short-Thompson.

UK College of Medicine 

The other foundational element of the Center will be the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine – Northern Kentucky campus. The UK College of Medicine will anchor a thriving biomedical hub that will enhance the lives and health of Northern Kentucky residents by permitting up to a 20% increase in the size of its classes.  

Further, UK’s involvement will facilitate engagement with additional biomedical assets that support economic development within the life sciences sector and permit collaboration with potential partners, including Be NKY Growth Partnership.    

“Powered by Sen. McDaniel’s stirring vision for the future, we are excited about the opportunity to join with our partners at Northern Kentucky University as cornerstones of the Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence in the heart of Covington,” said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto. “We want to grow with the Northern Kentucky region as we seek to advance this state in all that we do. Through a partnership with policymakers, health providers, NKU and many others, we can educate more physicians to provide care and work collaboratively in ways that will help build an even stronger region.”

City of Covington 

The Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence, with nearly 600 graduate students, faculty and staff, will contribute significantly to making the city of Covington a powerhouse for entrepreneurship and innovation.

“We appreciate Sen. McDaniel’s leadership and hard work in bringing the parties together to make this happen on Covington’s riverfront. The addition of Chase Law School and the UK School of Medicine will be significant additions to an exciting site,” stated Mayor Joe Meyer.  

“Senator Chris McDaniel's proposal is a significant development that could further transform Covington and elevate our trajectory, marking a pivotal moment in our history as we continue our exciting growth,” added Mayor Pro Tem/City Commissioner Ron Washington.

“We’ve been working to diversify Northern Kentucky’s economy to add strengths in innovation, entrepreneurship, and life sciences. As easy-to-develop land in Kenton County runs out, we must add more knowledge-driven enterprises to continue elevating the region’s prosperity,” Judge/Executive Knochelmann stated. “Sen. McDaniel’s proposal will help unlock our region’s incredible potential.  It is incumbent on all of us to lean in to see his vision realized and continue building a better future for our children and grandchildren.”