North Kentucky News

Reka's Butcher, a butcher shop, deli, and grocery specializing in high-quality meats and ready-to-go dinners, will be located at 401 Scott St.

COVINGTON, Ky. – A butcher, an art supply store and studio, a boutique event space, a deli, a men’s shop, and an empowerment center are among the businesses receiving façade or rent assistance during the latest round of Covington’s Small Business Incentive Program.

“Seeing a mix of startups launching their journey and established businesses investing in their future shows that we’re delivering on our promise – that Covington offers the partnerships, resources, and tools entrepreneurs need to thrive in our community,” said Covington Business Retention and Expansion Manager Patrick Duffy.

The Small Business Program is designed to nurture private investment, help create jobs, and establish a more attractive business environment in The Cov. Its three distinct incentives help fledgling businesses with first-year rent, assist commercial property owners in upgrading their exteriors, and aid in restoring historic electric signs.

Each fiscal year, the City sets aside $150,000 for the incentives. On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners approved incentives for seven businesses totaling $39,400. This leaves $110,600 for subsequent rounds.

“This program is making a real impact by helping new businesses take their first steps and existing businesses elevate their presence,” Duffy added.

This round’s awards include:

Façade Incentives

- $12,960 to Thrive Empowerment Center at 226 W. Pike Suite 2 to remove and repair damaged molding; replace a cast tread/ledger; caulk; paint. Located in the Mutter Gottes neighborhood.

- $8,600 to Frank’s Men Shop at 32 W. Pike St. to rebuild and paint the soffit; repaint building. Located in the Mutter Gottes neighborhood.

- $15,870 to 1132 Banklick St. to rebuild storefront; paint building; garage/fire escape repairs; MLK-facing porches/garage/mortar repair work. Located in Westside neighborhood.

- $14,900 to Red Bird Deli at 329 Pike St. for windows/paint touch-up work. Located in Westside neighborhood.

Rent Subsidy

- $6,000 to Reka’s Butcher at 401 Scott St., specializing in high-quality meats/ready-to-go dinner options with six-eight full-time employees on three-year lease adding estimated payroll of $150k aligning with “Made in The Cov” sector located Central Business District.

- $5,100 to Artmarkit at 1131 Holman St., featuring new/used art supplies providing creative environment activating previously vacant building five-year lease aligning with “Experiencing The Cov” sector located Westside neighborhood.

- $6 000 to La Vela Venue at 20 E Fifth St., boutique event space offering affordable stylish location corporate/social events three-year lease aligning with “Experiencing The Cov” sector located Central Business District.

Katie Kit Threet founded Artmarkit with a mission fostering community through creativity offering wide range pay-what-you-can art supplies accessible lessons mentorship/community events: “There is no place we would rather be than in The Cov,” said Threet.

Throughout September Artmarkit hosts series events: Community Donation Drop Weekend Sept 6–7; Artmarkit Mixer Event Sept 12–13; Grand Opening Sept 22.

For information/applications/guidelines contact Business Retention & Expansion Manager Patrick Duffy (859)292-2141 PDuffy@covingtonky.gov or prospective businesses contact Business Attraction Manager Susan Smith (859)292-2321 susan.smith@covingtonky.gov

Since 2017 program assisted155 projects including58 women/veteran/minority/LGBTQ-owned bonus points applications Five qualify DBE this round: La Vela Venue women/minority-owned Reka’s Butcher women/LGBTQ-owned Artmarkit women/LGBTQ-owned Thrive Empowerment women-owned Frank’s Men Wear50%women-owned In2021 received award International Economic Development Council largest development professionals organization globally