UPDATE: The Covington Board of Commissioners approved all of the incentives listed below at their meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.–LINK nky editorial, June 25, 2025.
The City of Covington is poised to dole out incentives to seven businesses, plus the Northern Kentucky Port Authority, next week as part of the latest round in its small business incentive program.
The incentive programs are designed to help projects that will bolster the entrepreneurial landscape in Covington get off the ground. The programs have helped 162 projects since 2017, according to the city’s economic development department.
The incentives are split into three categories: rent subsidies, facade grants to help building repair and refurbishment and sign grants to help restore historic signage throughout the city.
“This city is more cooperative and supportive [to entrepreneurs] than almost any city that I’ve worked with across Kentucky or Ohio or Indiana and even in Tennessee,” said Covington City Commissioner Shannon Smith, herself an entrepreneur.
All eight incentives were placed on the consent agenda for next week’s Board of Commissioners meeting, meaning they are likely to pass.
The following businesses are slated to receive $6,000 rent subsidies:
- Feel Something – a vintage retail store on Decoursey Avenue
- Rivertown Vintage – another vintage retailer, this one on Pike Street
- Pilates on Pike – an exercise studio on Pike Street
- Breathe Wellness Studio – a wellness studio, also on Pike Street
The following properties are slated to receive $6,000 facade grants:
- 701 Madison Avenue – formerly the site of Rich’s Proper, for painting and various building improvements, including an update of the building’s sign to read ‘Noche’
- 210 Pike Street – owned by Sparklezilla, for cleaning, tuckpointing and repainting
- 326-328 West Pike Street – vacant buildings owned by Mugsy Development, for window and transom repair along with general storefront repair
- 341-343 West Pike Street – more vacant properties owned by Mugsy Development, mostly for window and storefront repair
The following property will receive a $7,500 historic sign restoration grant:
- 727 Madison Avenue, formerly the site of Sims Furniture, now owned by the Northern Kentucky Port Authority and future site of the entrepreneurial incubator SparkHaus. The old Sim’s sign will be updated to reflect the SparkHaus brand.
The Board of Commissioners will cast final votes on the incentives at their meeting on June 24. You can learn more about the city’s small business incentive programs at thecovky.gov/incentives-resources.