North Kentucky News

The world’s largest council of economic development professionals has awarded Covington five 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Awards, honoring work on the emerging Covington Central Riverfront neighborhood, the Covington Academy of Heritage Trades, and the Economic Development Department’s new website, 2023 “Impact Report,” and Spanish translation of its business guide.

Covington Economic Development Director Tom West described the awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), which has nearly 5,000 members, as "humbling."

“Recognition is always nice, but what makes these awards so special is that they represent the acknowledgment of peers from around the world who see the innovative approaches and world-class quality Covington is investing in its economic future,” West said. “I think I speak for our entire Department when I say that we were both humbled and overwhelmed to have received five awards. The fact that they were for projects and initiatives we all believe in passionately makes it even more humbling.”

Sarah Gallant, Senior Professional Development Associate with the IEDC, noted that Covington’s Economic Development Department was one of only three organizations to win five awards this year. The other organizations were the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation in Brownsville, Texas, and the Baltimore Development Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland.

Over recent years, Covington's Economic Development Department has earned various international and national recognitions. In 2021, IEDC honored Covington with a Bronze Award in the Neighborhood and Retail Category for its Small Business Incentive Program. That same year, it won an award from the American Planning Association for Economic Development Best Practices for work in the Eastern Corridor.

Covington’s five prestigious IEDC 2024 awards include:

- Gold Award in Innovative Economic Development for Covington Central Riverfront (CCR). One judge appreciated CCR's approach to developing as a neighborhood rather than a single large development.

- Silver Award in Annual Report Category for the Economic Development Annual Impact Report. Judges praised its compelling design and creative use of video.

- Silver Award in Postsecondary Education Partnership Category for Covington Academy of Heritage Trades. Judges commended its partnership model aimed at workforce development.

- Silver Award in General Purpose Website Category for its website designed by Durham Studio and developed by Systems Insight Inc., both based in Covington.

- Bronze Award for Print Brochure Category for its Spanish Business Guide Brochure. Judges highlighted its efficient impact on local Latine entrepreneurs.

IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle stated: “Covington’s Economic Development Department is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with these projects.” Kevin Kramer, chair of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee added: “These exceptional projects showcase remarkable dedication and ingenuity within the field."

Each year IEDC seeks out economic development organizations demonstrating exemplary performance impacting community revitalization significantly. For Covington, these awards continue a momentum built over decades.

“The world is taking note of the hard work of many people over past decades,” said West. “These awards are shared by every City employee, every department, every elected official, and every local developer who looked at our buildings with vision and a plan to invest in our future.”

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