Business advocacy group Covington Business Council began in 1972 under a different name. On April 14 of that year, the city’s financial community announced the creation of Covington Urban Redevelopment Effort, also known as CURE.

The bank-driven organization hoped to “CURE” the downtown business malaise with some special events and a pedestrian mall that would capitalize on the city’s history, historical architecture and status as the region’s largest city.

Today, the Cincinnati Business Council has nearly 450 member companies and organizations and is celebrating its 50th birthday.

Executive Director Pat Frew said reaching the milestone has not come without struggles and deserves a yearlong celebration. CBC is a membership-based group that provides access, opportunity and growth to its 400-plus members across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati.

“At times over the past five decades, the CBC has faced financial and organizational challenges that might have caused the demise of similar types of organizations,” Frew said. “But the Council has proven over the years that it is a survivor, in the same way the City of Covington has overcome challenges. It’s in that persevering spirit that we recognize the Council’s impact on our community and its significant contributions in building on the accomplishments of Northern Kentucky’s largest city.”

LINK nky is the media sponsor for the anniversary, which will be celebrated in four parts:

  • Covington Mayor Joe Meyer will give a special address at a breakfast launch at the Radisson from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Other organizations and businesses celebrating birthdays — including Baker Hunt Cultural Arts Center and CVG Airport — will be honored.
  • At the April 14 CBC monthly luncheon, executive directors will share their struggles and triumphs while leading the organization. The program will end with a birthday cake and balloons.
  • On Sept. 14 and 15 from 5 to 7 p.m., celebrate bourbon heritage in Covington with bourbon tastings at select bars and a Kenton County Library historical walking tour of bourbon sites.
  • Dec. 1 is the CBC’s annual dinner, which will cap the celebration.

As LINK nky's executive editor, Meghan Goth oversees editorial operations across all platforms. Before she started at LINK in 2022, she managed the investigative and enterprise teams at WCPO 9 in Cincinnati....