Cincinnati is loud right now. If you’ve walked near 6th and Elm this morning, you heard the backhoes. They’re tearing down a parking garage to make room for something better. It's messy. It’s noisy. Honestly, it’s exactly what the city needs.
Today, January 15, 2026, feels like a turning point. We aren't just talking about "potential" anymore. The scaffolding is real. Cincinnati business news today is dominated by two massive updates: the grand reopening of the Duke Energy Convention Center and a nationwide delivery bombshell from Kroger.
The city is basically under construction from the riverfront up to the Innovation Hub. It’s a lot to keep track of. Let’s get into what’s actually happening on the ground and why your commute—and the local economy—is about to look very different.
The Convention District Just Got a $264 Million Facebolt
The wait is over. The reimagined Cincinnati Convention Center is officially open as of this month. If you remember the old space, forget it. The dark, cramped vibes are gone, replaced by a massive rooftop terrace and a two-acre outdoor park called Elm Street Plaza.
Why does this matter for local business? Money.
More conventions mean more people staying at the Hyatt Centric (opening later this year) and eating at places like Mita’s or the new Flight Club. 3CDC’s Joe Rudemiller confirmed this week that the demolition at 6th and Elm is the first step for a new mixed-use "district" designed to keep people downtown after the meetings end.
We’re talking bars, restaurants, and retail where a concrete garage used to sit. It’s a gamble. But with the new 800-room Marriott headquarters hotel breaking ground this quarter, the city is betting $536 million that visitors want a campus, not just a building.
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Kroger and Uber’s National Power Play
While construction crews are busy downtown, the folks at 1014 Vine Street just changed how millions of people buy groceries. This morning, The Kroger Co. announced that nearly 2,700 of its stores are now live on Uber Eats and Postmates nationwide.
This isn't just a tech update. It’s a defensive move.
Kroger is fighting for Every. Single. Dollar. against Amazon and Walmart. By plugging into Uber’s fleet, they’ve instantly scaled their delivery reach without needing a thousand more blue trucks on the road. For Cincinnati, it reinforces the city’s status as the logistics brain of the Midwest.
Locally, Kroger Health also hit a massive milestone today, reaching 250,000 students with its drug safety program. It’s a nice PR win, sure, but it also shows how the company is diversifying into "wellness" to protect its margins.
The 2026 Real Estate Reality Check
If you're looking for a house, I have bad news. It’s still a brutal seller’s market.
According to the latest data from the REALTOR Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, inventory is sitting at a measly 1.6-month supply. A "balanced" market needs about four to six months. Basically, if a house is priced right, it’s gone in 25 days or less.
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The average sale price is hovering around $369,716. But here’s the kicker: homes are still selling for about 98.6% of their list price. There is almost zero room to negotiate.
What to watch in the suburbs:
- Mason: P&G is dumping $500 million into their Innovation Center expansion. That’s 800 people moving from Winton Hill to Mason. If you own property there, you’re sitting on a gold mine.
- Madisonville: Medpace is building a nine-story tower and adding 1,500 biotech jobs.
- The West Side: The 90-year-old Western Hills Viaduct is finally being replaced. Phase one starts this year. It’s going to be a traffic nightmare until 2030, but it’s the only way to keep the west side connected to the growth downtown.
Legal Shockwaves and $50 Million Scams
It hasn't all been ribbon-cuttings and stock gains. The Southern District of Ohio just dropped a bombshell indictment against the owners of Vision & Beyond Group.
This is huge.
Federal prosecutors allege a $50 million bank fraud conspiracy involving "double-pledging" properties. Essentially, they’re accused of taking out multiple loans on the same apartment complexes and pocketing the cash instead of paying off mortgages.
For the Cincinnati business community, this is a sobering reminder of the "Wild West" era of post-pandemic real estate investing. It’s a mess that will likely tied up dozens of multi-family properties in court for years.
The AI Integration Phase
Last year was all about "What is AI?" This year, Cincinnati businesses are actually using it. At the 1819 Innovation Hub, Microsoft is doubling its footprint to train local workers in "AI skilling."
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We’re seeing a shift. Instead of companies firing people to use bots, they’re retraining them. The University of Cincinnati just launched a new Robotics and Mechatronics program specifically to feed talent to GE Aerospace and P&G.
It's about smart manufacturing. The region is trying to build a workforce that can program the robots, not just stand next to them.
Actionable Insights for the Queen City
The landscape is moving fast. If you’re trying to navigate the Cincinnati business news today, here is how to play your hand:
- For Investors: Look toward the "Convention District" perimeter. The demolition of the 6th and Elm garage signals a long-term shift toward high-density entertainment. Property values within walking distance are likely to spike once the Marriott hotel goes vertical.
- For Job Seekers: Biotech and Robotics are the clear winners. With Medpace and UC's new RAM sub-plan, the demand for specialized technical talent is outstripping supply.
- For Homeowners: If you’re in Mason or Madisonville, hold. The corporate expansions there haven't even fully staffed up yet. The peak of that demand is still 12–18 months away.
- For Small Businesses: Cybersecurity is the "boring" priority you can't ignore. As AI makes phishing more sophisticated, local firms are being targeted more than ever. Get a zero-trust audit now before you're the next headline.
The "New Cincinnati" is finally taking shape. It’s louder, more expensive, and a lot more digital than it was five years ago. Whether you're ready or not, the backhoes aren't stopping.
Next Steps for Local Professionals:
- Review the City of Cincinnati’s FY 2026 "Budget in Brief" to see how the Southern Railway sale proceeds are being allocated to your specific neighborhood’s infrastructure.
- If you are in real estate, verify any dealings with the entities mentioned in the recent federal indictments to ensure title insurance and mortgage filings are fully cleared.
- Schedule a tour of the 1819 Innovation Hub’s expanded AI center to identify specific grant or training opportunities for your staff.