COVINGTON, Ky. — A third-party logistics firm plans to create 64 jobs in Northern Kentucky. Lighthouse Transportation Services LLC is relocating to a larger facility in Covington after outgrowing its previous office. 

A release from the governor's office said the move comes "amid an overhaul to center Lighthouse's services on technology."

“While this expansion serves as yet another shining example of Kentucky’s national leadership in logistics, it also showcases our state’s strides in supporting tech-driven businesses like Lighthouse Transportation Services,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “With its emphasis on innovation and commitment to providing Kentuckians with quality opportunities, Lighthouse is an excellent representative of Kentucky’s business community and offers further evidence of the commonwealth’s strong economic momentum. Congratulations to all involved in making this expansion happen.”

The company is investing $400,000 to lease and upgrade the new facility.

“We are excited to continue our tremendous growth in the city of Covington and we appreciate how amazing they have been in this process,” said Lighthouse CEO Nick Lanham. “Our collective investment will allow us to scale and continue investing in people and technology.”

In June, Lighthouse announced its acquisition of Florence-based freight transportation company NTL Trucking.

The company, founded in 1987, provides logistics services to Fortune 500 companies as well a fully outsourced supply chain technology and managed services to small and mid-sized shippers.

Kentucky's logistics and distribution industry employs nearly 80,000 people at 590 facilities statewide, the governor's office said.

Covington Mayor Joe Meyer noted that Lighthouse joins a growing cluster of corporate headquarters in the city.

“This was a case where Covington’s recent push to develop Class A office space paid off in just a matter of days,” Meyer said. “Lighthouse had looked for months for the right space to relocate because of its growth. Just when they were ready to make a decision on a location, we were able to connect them with a building owner who had just announced plans to renovate what turned out to be the perfect building for them.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in August preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement Lighthouse under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The agreement can provide up to $350,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $400,000 and annual targets of:

• Creation and maintenance of 64 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and
• Paying an average hourly wage of $27 including benefits across those jobs.

The company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates by meeting its annual targets over the agreement term. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

Lighthouse can also receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network, where companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.