Florence,KY Get to Know Us!
2021 Economic Development Annual Report
LETTER FROM MAYOR DIANE E. WHALEN
We are pleased to present the City of Florence's 2021 Economic Development Annual Report. Our administrative team works hand-in-hand with our elected officials to enhance and improve relationships with our residential and business communities. This document provides a snapshot of the City of Florence’s economic development efforts and successes. It is meant to help keep you informed on news and developments that relate specifically to you.
Florence continues to be one of Kentucky’s fastest growing communities. With many transformational projects underway, Florence City Council and staff continue to enjoy success because of our ability to foster public-private relationships throughout the business community. City officials have worked closely with all stakeholders to implement projects that created opportunities and further advanced this vision. Our economic development strategy continues to focus on creating a diverse economy that supports long-term sustainability by building stronger relationships and working with the existing start-up and entrepreneurial community. We want to ensure Florence will continue to be the region’s most sought-after community in which to grow a business.
Thank you for being part of our success.
Diane E. Whalen Mayor
FLORENCE, KENTUCKY CITY OFFICIALS
Dr. Julie Metzger Aubuchon, O.D Vice Mayor
Mel Carroll Council Member
J. Kelly Huff Council Member
David A. Osborne Council Member
Patricia Wingo Council Member
Gary Winn Council Member
Diane E. Whalen Mayor
St. Elizabeth Endoscopy Center
Blind Squirrel
7370 Turfway Road St. Elizabeth recently finished their new 90,126 sq. ft. Endoscopy center Opened Fall 2021
8537 Bill Wentz Drive New to the market sports bar offering gourmet burgers, pizza, soups, salads and fun activities, such as, indoor golf, live music and ping pong Opened Fall 2021
Legacy Living Senior Housing
Peace, Love and Little Donuts
8500 Gunpowder Road 14 acre development site 94,000 sq. ft. , 93 rooms 7 (4) unit independent living townhomes Construction was completed Fall 2021
8640 Haines Drive New to the market bakery that offers made to order donuts and catering services Opened Winter 2021
Tom Gill Digital Motor Sales
Sam’s Club Remodel & Fuel Station
7800 Commerce Drive A new state of the art 5,200 sq. ft. digital auto sales building was completed in Spring 2021
4949 Houston Road Construction of a new member only fuel center and façade improvements to the Sam’s Cub was completed in Summer 2021
Luna’s Tequila Bar and Grill
Episcopal Senior Living
8660 Bankers Street New to the market owner operated restaurant serving great food with a large selection of tequila Opened Summer 2021
1200 Bill Wentz Drive 4 acre development site 24,000 sq. ft., 48 rooms 3 story, 50 ft. tall Opened Summer 2021
America’s Best Restaurants
VIP Salon
7847 Tanners Lane A locally owned and operated media company that focuses on marketing restaurants This building also offers an open floor plan for entrepreneurs to lease office space Opened Summer 2021
2028 Mall Road New to the market full service hair salon located inside of the Florence Mall Open Summer 2021
Athena Hospitality Headquarters
Tattoo Tina’s
4756 Houston Road Athena Hospitality, a turnkey hotel management company, recently opened their new corporate headquarters in Summer 2021
7 Shelby Street Full service tattoo studio located in our Historic Main Street District Opened Fall 2021
DIY Pottery
Thai Tea House
2028 Mall Road A new locally owned and operated retail store that specializes in pottery design, sales and classes Opened Summer 2021
7653 Mall Road New Thai food restaurant that offers an assortment of tea and Thai cuisine Opened Summer 2021
Twin Peaks
Buff City Soap
6835 Houston Road New to the market restaurant chain backfilling the former Logan’s Steakhouse Opened Spring 2021
7690 Mall Road New to the market retail chain that offers plant based soaps, lotions and laundry detergent Opened Spring 2021
Caribbean Cravings
Heather’s Nails and Boutique
8133 Mall Road New to the market restaurant that offers Dominican inspired food Opened Spring 2021
8180 Mall Road New to the market full service nail salon and boutique
Maharaja Indian & International Grocery
Tesla Super Charging Station
7820 Connector Drive New to the market authentic Indian grocery Opened Spring 2021
4990 Meijer Drive Tesla recently opened a new 8-unit super charging station on the southeast corner of the Meijer parking lot Completed Spring 2021
Opened Spring 2021
Iron Rig Fitness
Wich Doctor Sandwich Shop
8494 Pleasant Valley Road New to the market CrossFit style gym offering group classes and personal trainers Opened in Summer 2021
7848 US Highway 42 New locally owned and operated restaurant offering sandwiches, soups, salads and sides Opened Summer 2021
McAlister’s Deli
Tri-State Running Company
4931 Houston Road New to the market restaurant chain Offering hand-crafted sandwiches, fresh salads, ginormous spuds and McAlister’s famous sweet tea Opened in Summer 2021
8544 US Highway 42, Suite 700 New to the market retail business offering footwear, athletic, and sporting goods apparel Opened Summer 2021
Amazon Last Mile Facility 7435 Industrial Road 26 acre development site New 120,000 sq. ft. building $60 million dollar capital investment 300 new jobs Anticipated opening Summer 2022
Turfway Racetrack 7500 Turfway Road 194 acre development site Complete tear down re-build of the Turfway Racetrack is currently underway Construction is scheduled to be completed in Fall 2022
Biggby BCubed 7265 Turfway Road New standalone, drive-thru coffee and pastry restaurant concept is under construction in the Turfway Square retail plaza Construction is scheduled to be completed in Winter 2022
Izzy’s 7651 Mall Road Redevelopment of former Orange Leaf frozen yogurt is underway, backfilling the space will be a Izzy’s, a New York style deli and diner Construction is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2022
My Salon Suite
Bark Park and Patio
7606 Mall Road New infill development offering 26 upscale salon and spa suites Construction scheduled to be completed Winter 2022
7544 Burlington Pike New to the market, owner operated business that will serve as a dog park, bar, and restaurant Construction expected to be completed Spring 2022
French Quarter Phase 4 Orleans North Subdivision 6 acre development site Approximately 50 residential homes to be constructed over the next two years
TownePlace Suites 7488 Turfway Road 2.85 development site 65,716 sq. ft., 4-story tall 101 unit hotel room Construction is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2022
Tom Gill Collison Center
Tapestry Turfway Park
7864 Commerce Drive Redevelopment of the former 30,000 sq. ft. Florence Fundome This will be Tom Gill’s new collision center Construction scheduled to be completed Summer 2022
4053 Houston Road 21 acre development site 250 luxury apartment units Construction scheduled to be completed Summer 2022
Kerry Toyota Expansion
AE Door
6050 Hopeful Church Road Parking lot and detention expansion on a 2.8 acre parcel of property located south of the existing Kerry Toyota building. Construction scheduled to be completed Winter 2022
7910 Freedom Way New 13,000 sq. ft. retail showroom & sales office Construction scheduled to be completed Spring 2022
Speedway Remodel—KY 18 985 Burlington Pike Remodel of the existing KY 18 Speedway, plans include a façade refresh and new canopy structure Construction scheduled to be completed Winter 2022
Chuck E Cheese Remodel 7635 Mall Road Exterior elevation remodel Improvements includes new signage, painting and installation of new light fixtures Construction scheduled to be completed in Spring 2022
Hilton Garden Inn
Target Remodel
205 Meijer Drive 3 acre development site New to the market, 5-story, 78,384 sq. ft. hotel Construction scheduled to be completed Summer 2022
1100 Hansel Avenue Plans have been approved to upgrade the façade of Target to their new prototype Construction scheduled to start Spring 2022
Drury Inn & Suites 7915 US 42 8 acre development site 9 story, 187 room Drury Hotel planned Construction anticipated to start in 2022
Ford’s Garage Restaurant 4911 Houston Road A new to the market car-themed restaurant that pays tribute to the legendary Henry Ford This location will be the first Kentucky franchise established with an anticipated opening date of Summer 2022
goPuff 7505 Dixie Highway goPuff is a consumer goods and food delivery company that provides same delivery to customers Tenant finish work is underway with an anticipated opening of Spring 2022
True Storage 8145 Mall Road The former Antique Mall property has been purchased and will be converted into a indoor climate controlled storage unit Construction is scheduled to start Spring 2022
Drees Weaver Road Development
Chipotle
Weaver Road 19 acre development site 135 unit townhome development project Construction anticipated to start Spring 2022
7313 Turfway Road 1.4 acre development site New 2,400 sq. ft. building Construction is anticipated to start Spring 2022
Bill Wentz Drive Concept Plan
Carplex
1100 Bill Wentz Drive A change in concept plan was approved for a 5,600 sq. ft. stand-alone Mexican restaurant and a 7,000 sq. ft. tunnel style car wash Construction is anticipated to start Summer 2022
7681 Burlington Pike A new state of the art digital auto sales building was approved through the change in concept plan process Construction is anticipated to start Spring 2022
Marydale Property
Houston Road The 272-acre parcel of property commonly referred to as the “Marydale Property”, located just east of the Turfway Racing and Gaming Facility, was recently annexed into the City of Florence municipal district.
Vinings Trace, LLC, a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Western and Southern Financial Group, plans to create a mixed-use space for office buildings, apartments, restaurants, medical facilities, educational institutions, and more.
Along with the annexation, the City approved a Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) to offset capital construction cost anticipated with the $600 million dollar capital investment.
A definitive start date has not been established, city officials are working closely with the developer on next steps and concept plans.