The City of Covington has extended support to seven businesses through its Small Business Program, aiming to boost private investment and job creation. The Covington Board of Commissioners recently approved rent-subsidy and façade improvement incentives as part of the third funding round this fiscal year.
Patrick Duffy, Covington's Business Retention and Expansion Manager, highlighted the program's role in enhancing the city's appeal for startups and established enterprises. "This latest round of small business incentives reinforces the area’s reputation as a welcoming destination for both startups and established businesses," he said. "Our team works hard to make it easy to do business in the city and we want to help businesses continue to thrive and grow."
The incentives amounting to $39,300 were allocated among six new businesses and one commercial façade project. These included rent subsidies for Carmelo’s, Galaxie Bar, Maverick Chocolate Co., Merriman Anderson Architects, N.E.T.’s Effect LLC, and West Sixth Brewing Co., with each receiving $6,000 except N.E.T.’s Effect LLC which received $3,300.
Carmelo’s opened an Italian American restaurant at 434 Madison Ave., a location vacant for nearly two years. Galaxie Bar set up its second location in Covington after success in Louisville. Maverick Chocolate expanded from Cincinnati with a new storefront on Madison Avenue. Merriman Anderson Architects established an office in downtown Covington focusing on adaptive reuse and historic preservation.
N.E.T.’s Effect LLC offers shared controller services across several states and plans workforce expansion next year. West Sixth Brewing Co., originally from Lexington, chose Covington for its fourth location.
Additionally, Pike Street Lofts Condominium Association received $6,000 towards an $18,600 façade improvement project aligning with historic preservation guidelines.
Since its launch in 2017, the Small Business Program has supported 162 businesses or projects. Applications are open for the final round of incentives this fiscal year until May 9.
For further details, Patrick Duffy can be contacted at (859) 292-2141 or PDuffy@covingtonky.gov.