COVINGTON, Ky. — The City of Covington has released its 2023 Economic Impact Report, which highlights how the city supports small businesses.
“Covington went through about 40 years of decline, from being the retail capital of northern Kentucky to virtually no retail,” said Covington Mayor Joe Meyer. “And it's only in the last few years that the tide has turned.”
That's partly aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, a newly released report notes.
The city spent more than $76,000 in small business incentives, including rent subsidies and money to make businesses look better, the report said. They have supported 132 projects since 2017, according to the report.
Melissa Mosier recalls how rent subsidies helped her business during the pandemic.
“They have been supporting us financially as it has been a really tough time for us, but they have also helped us get our name out there and bring us business. ” she said.
Mosier and her sister run Grain Well, where they manufacture and sell decorations and prizes to a variety of customers across the country.
They've been open for almost a decade, so they've seen this change firsthand.
“When we first moved here, nothing was going on, but we were aware of the city of Covington's plans,” Mosier said.
These were plans for revitalizing and nurturing small and medium-sized enterprises.
For Meyer, this focus is key to continuing Covington's progress.
“The big guys pay our taxes. The little guys create an environment where people think Covington is great,” he said.
The report also describes planned development at the IRS site and along the river.
You can read the full report here.
