I need to create a unique list and have it update automatically when new
information is added. Here's the scenario:

I have a list of locations in AJ14:AJ104. I need to extract this
information, reducing it down to unique items only. There may be blanks in
the original list that I don't want in my new list, ...

Here's a different approach that might help getting started.

Start with columns AK and AL empty.

In AK14, put
=IF(COUNTIF($AJ$14:$AJ14,$AJ14)=1,MAX($AK$13:$AK13 )+1,"")

In AL14, put
=IF(ROW()-13MAX(AK:AK),"",
OFFSET($AJ$14,MATCH(ROW()-13,AK:AK,0)-14,0))

Then select AK14:AL14 and copy down to row 104.

Modify to suit.