Cincinnati's economic development director predicted Tuesday that the city will lose its century-old produce industry and its 575 jobs to Northern Kentucky.
"I think we're losing to Wilder," Economic Development Director Andi Udris said.
Mr. Udris has gotten no official word, but "being in this business for 20 years, you get an instinct."
The city's produce giant, the Castellini Co., passed up a chance in August to buy a 28-acre site in Wilder. But the company said it would continue to look at sites in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.
The produce industry must move its Cincinnati riverfront operations to make room for the Bengals' new stadium. City officials think wherever Castellini moves its 400 employees, the rest of the industry will follow.
Mr. Udris said the city is getting "no feedback" on its proposals to Castellini. Mr. Udris talked to Castellini representatives last week, he said, and they didn't appear interested in the city's offer.
Castellini spokesman Joe Bride said the company hasn't made any final decisions about relocation.
"We're hopeful that a decision is close," he said. "Either option is possible."
Kevin Caruso, CEO of the 100-employee Caruso Inc., said he hasn't decided where to move his business because he doesn't yet know how much Hamilton County will pay for his property.
Mr. Caruso said he would prefer for the industry to stay together, but "I would think that some could survive apart if forced to."
Mr. Udris conceded that Castellini always has had concerns about the city's Riverside-Sedamsville site because River Road would have to be widened at a cost of $10 million to accommodate the industry.
"I didn't have a site that was really great," Mr. Udris said. "I had a site that barely met their needs."
Still, Mr. Udris said, he feels good that Cincinnati's economic development department has done everything it can to keep the industry. "From Day One, we've put everything and the kitchen sink on the table for this," he said.
Wilder and Campbell County officials wouldn't comment on a produce industry move.
Neither would Tri-County Economic Development Corp. President Jim West, whose organization works to promote Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. He said he doesn't comment on "active projects." But Mr. West said Wilder, in general, is a good spot for most any industry.
"It's adjacent to I-275. It's very close in to the central business district of Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, and it's served well by utilities," he said. "The Wilder area in general is ready for development."
Patrick Crowley contributed to this report.
