The Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority has partnered with Covington-based tech company Proximity to upgrade downtown parking in a way that supports local businesses amid ongoing bridge construction.
Proximity enables businesses to connect with customers instantly through location-driven promotions. The platform allows Covington-based businesses to reach potential customers the moment they park. When users pay for parking, they might encounter targeted offers from nearby merchants, boosting foot traffic and sales without disrupting the payment experience.
The initiative aligns with the city’s “Bridging the Gap” strategy, which aims to maintain access, attract visitors, and strengthen the local economy amid infrastructure disruptions.
“As we navigate the bridge construction, our focus remains on supporting our local businesses and ensuring our community thrives,” Mayor Ron Washington said in a news release. “Having a local company that shares our mission of strengthening the local economy makes this solution even more powerful. Proximity will drive customers to our downtown businesses and help us showcase what makes Covington a great place to live, work, and play in.”
Proximity will launch immediately at city-operated parking facilities, with additional locations rolling out in early 2026. Existing payment options will remain available, and no app download is required for basic use.
“This is a smart economic development investment,” Chair of the Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority Naashom Marx said in the release. “We’re proud to partner with a Covington-based startup to deploy modern parking technology that makes it easier to access downtown, discover local businesses, and keep dollars circulating locally during construction. Proximity will help us support commerce today while positioning the city for a more connected, data-driven future.”
Visitors can still use all existing payment options, including the Passport and Cincy EZPark apps, and coins or cards at meters and kiosks.