03/01/2025

Candace McGraw / CVG Airport / February 28, 2025

Regional aviation economic development strategy aims to accelerate economic growth in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Dayton, Louisville regions and beyond

The MidAmerica Flyway represents a bold step forward in aviation economic development, bringing together the regions of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Dayton, Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky. Envisioned as part of CVG’s New Heights strategic plan, MidAmerica Flyway aligns the strengths of these regions as a single corridor where aviation, innovation, logistics, supply chain, aerospace, and defense companies thrive.

In 2024, CVG engaged the global consultancy, Ernst & Young (EY), to analyze data and develop an economic strategy to support the aviation industry in collaboration with regional economic development partners and airport leaders; this effort included representatives from REDI Cincinnati, BE NKY Growth Partnership, Dayton Development Coalition, Dayton International Airport, Greater Louisville Inc., Louisville Economic Development Alliance, and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Now, through the MidAmerica Flyway, these organizations are aligning with the common goal to increase awareness of this region’s global leadership in the aviation/aerospace, supply chain, and logistics sectors.

Strength of location and existing industries can propel further economic growth

EY’s findings confirm that the region’s thriving aerospace and logistics industry contributes greatly to Kentucky and Ohio’s economy with 8,000 companies employing more than 190,000 workers, meaning the MidAmerica Flyway is one of the top 10 markets for this sector in the United States.

As home to global supply chain and logistics leaders, including Amazon Air, DHL Express, UPS, and others, the MidAmerica Flyway is primed for global business attraction. Aerospace companies also have an outsized impact on the regional economy with the likes of GE Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and hundreds of suppliers and service providers having headquarters or major operations in the region.

The MidAmerica Flyway boasts strong innovation and research institutions, including the University of Cincinnati UAV Lab, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, University of Dayton Research Institute, GE Aerospace EPISCenter, and more.

By fostering a network that recognizes all parts of the aviation ecosystem, from airport operators to aerospace manufacturers, technology companies to educational institutions, the region is a beacon for excellence that can drive future growth, accelerate innovation, and retain and attract more talent.

Leveraging the unique strengths of each community

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky: the center for aircraft engine and parts manufacturing, air cargo logistics, and e-commerce

Cincinnati, Ohio, is home to leading aerospace and aviation manufacturers, with key assets like GE Aerospace’s headquarters, hundreds of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, and an extensive education system. It’s an ideal location for aircraft engine and parts manufacturing.

• Cincinnati is home to the largest inland port in the nation.
• Aerospace manufacturing contributes $4 billion to regional GDP.

As part of the Cincy region, Northern Kentucky has a dense concentration of aerospace and logistics companies that are anchored by CVG, the 6th largest cargo airport in North America, which generates an annual economic impact of $9.3 billion (2022).

• CVG is home to two air cargo hubs: Amazon Air’s primary U.S. hub and DHL’s Global Super Hub for the Americas.
• Half of the U.S. population lives within 600 miles of CVG.

Dayton, Ohio: the future of advanced air mobility and defense

Dayton’s legacy of flight began with the Wright Brothers and continues today with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Springfield’s Air National Guard Base. Add in Joby Aviation’s 2023 decision to establish a manufacturing operation in Dayton, and it’s no wonder the Birthplace of Aviation remains a leader in aerospace, air mobility, and defense research and education.

• Dayton’s military and federal installations account for more than $19 billion in economic activity supported by more than 100,000 jobs.
• Defense-related activities and investment account for 17% of the regional economy.

Louisville, Kentucky: a logistics hub, advancing healthcare innovations

Louisville has long been a logistics and supply chain hub because of its extensive air, road, and rail connectivity. Recent innovations in healthcare logistics are solidifying the Derby City’s reputation as an international leader in logistics and supply chains.

• Louisville is home to UPS Worldport, headquarters for UPS Airlines, which processes more than 400,000 packages per hour.
• Products moved from Louisville can reach more than 80% of the global population within 24 hours.

The MidAmerica Flyway is at the forefront of advanced research across a variety of technological areas and markets in aerospace, supply chain/logistics, and more. Industry-university partnerships are active in advanced air mobility, cyber physical systems, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and many others. The MidAmerica Flyway reflects a strategy that aims to align partners toward a common goal: to build a world-class aerospace ecosystem that attracts talent, drives investment, and enhances the quality of life for residents. Industry engagement is foundational to the success of these efforts.

Supported by EY’s assessment, the partners will engage industry across a spectrum of areas:

• Continue to work together to build a talent pipeline with educational partners, which will meet the MidAmerica Flyway’s workforce needs for decades to come;
• Market the MidAmerica Flyway to global audiences, including target companies, which will benefit by considering locating in the region;
• Work collaboratively to prepare sites for new economic development projects, especially on and around the region’s major airports, which can be leveraged to catalyze innovation and global access.

The MidAmerica Flyway is preparing for takeoff and gaining momentum to transform this vision into a dynamic reality that will deliver lasting economic success for generations to come.