(Boone County, KY) -- The three counties that make up the Northern Kentucky Tri-Ed economic development group account for just 17% of the population in the metropolitan statistical area, but when it comes to job growth they've been outpacing everyone else.

Tri-Ed chair Gary Moore says 24 companies announced plans to locate or expand in Northern Kentucky, over the next three years, promising more than 3,700 new jobs.  That compares with 35 new projects in Cincinnati, which are pledged to create 2,800 jobs. 

Tri-County Economic Development president Dan Tobergte says their numbers were helped by a couple of companies with plans to hire 600 or more people.

Moore says they've done well in part because of Kentucky's tax climate, and because there is room to expand close to Downtown Cincinnati.

Tobergte says the companies that plan to locate or expand in Northern Kentucky are the kind that will bring new dollars to the area, not just circulate existing money.