Seven neighborhood groups in Covington, Kentucky, have received funding for various improvement projects as part of the city's Neighborhood Grant Program. This initiative, now in its sixth round, has allocated nearly $200,000 to community groups since its inception.
The latest funding round amounts to $24,955 and was approved by the Covington Board of Commissioners. Grants ranged from $1,455 to $5,000 and were awarded to neighborhood associations and resident groups for projects aimed at enhancing their surroundings. Businesses, individuals, schools, and religious organizations are not eligible for these grants.
Brandon Holmes, the City’s Director of Neighborhood Services stated: “This program improves the look and energy of Covington’s neighborhoods and also helps build partnerships – not only between the City and its residents but also within the communities themselves since groups come together to think up ideas and then implement them.” He added that this is the sixth round of funding with visible impacts throughout Covington.
The recipients include Eastside+ with a focus on involving teens in neighborhood beautification ($3,000), ROMA – Residents of Mainstrasse Association for MainStrasse Village beautification ($2,500), Neighbors of Latonia for park beautification ($4,500), Latonia Uptown & Latonia Elementary Green for hoop house replacement ($5,000), Friends of Peaselburg for neighborhood beautification ($1,455), Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association for park irrigation ($5,000), and Botany Hills Neighborhood Group for "Chicken Steps" beautification ($3,500).
Funding recommendations were made by a 13-member committee comprising officials from various city departments along with representatives from the non-profit Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington. The Center assisted in administering the grant program and worked with neighborhood groups on their applications.
Holmes mentioned that efforts were made to distribute funds across as many projects as possible. Although three other applicants did not receive funding this time around two will get labor assistance from city workers.
Since 2019 when it was established nearly $200K has been distributed across 44 projects spanning almost every neighborhood in Covington.
More information about this program can be found on the City’s Neighborhood Services Department webpage.