A brand new enterprise that creates wholesome options to sugar-laden popsicles and one which finds software program options for companies have been amongst 5 initiatives given monetary assist by the Covington Board of Commissioners.

The Fee authorised two rent-subsidy and three façade-improvement incentives by way of the Metropolis’s internationally acknowledged Small Enterprise Program.

Nearly all of initiatives this spherical are Black-owned companies, “one thing which our staff is dedicated to serving to develop in Covington,” mentioned the Metropolis’s Assistant Financial Improvement Director, Sarah Allan.

“As soon as once more, we now have quite a lot of companies and neighborhoods represented to obtain incentives,” Allan mentioned. “We’ve a brand new popsicle store within the Eastside that may also produce candy treats for shops across the area, becoming a member of our rising micro-manufacturing sector; an historic nook constructing that shall be rehabbed again into its authentic business use in Wallace Woods; a rising tech enterprise that may broaden its payroll by nearly $600,000 over the following 12 months, and extra.”

The incentives got here in the course of the third spherical of funding this fiscal 12 months beneath the Metropolis’s Small Enterprise Program, which units apart $150,000 a 12 months in three areas — serving to fledgling companies with first-year hire and business property house owners improve their exteriors or restore an historic electrical enterprise signal.
 
The awards this week went to:
 
Lease subsidies

•  $4,710 to Honey Little one Artisan Pops, LLC at 1204 Scott Blvd., a Black-owned and woman-owned enterprise that provides to the Japanese Hall’s rising retail sector with its enlargement from Findlay Market in Ohio. Honey Little one Artisan Pops creates hand-crafted pops which can be freed from cane sugar, dairy, and gluten, as an alternative that includes substances reminiscent of honey, maple syrup, plant-based proteins, and superfood substances. Honey Little one Artisan Pops has a three-year lease.
 
• $6,000 to Nichefire, Inc. at 7 E. fifth St., a B2B software program firm that provides $583,000 in new payroll. The enterprise has a two-year lease and is positioned within the Central Enterprise District.
 
Façade incentives

•  $6,000 to 138-42 Pike St. and proprietor Runion Capital for a $12,250 façade enchancment that features repainting the complete constructing and repairing wooden trim. The constructing is within the Mutter Gottes neighborhood.
 
• $6,000 to 2001 Scott Blvd. towards a $27,843 façade enchancment that includes new home windows, rebuilding the complete storefront, portray, and wooden restore. The constructing, owned by J. Davis Regulation Agency, PLLC., a Black-owned enterprise, is within the Wallace Woods neighborhood.
 
•   $6,000 to 909 Madison LLC within the Eastside neighborhood for a $16,299 façade enchancment to repaint the complete constructing, tuckpointing, and new home windows and doorways.

After this spherical of awards, the Small Enterprise Program has $48,684 obtainable to be awarded earlier than June 30.

Sarah Thompson, proprietor of Honey Little one Artisan Pops, LLC, mentioned they’re excited to convey their enterprise to Covington and respect the assistance the grant will give throughout a “essential” first 12 months.

“Honey Little one Pops makes scrumptious, better-for-you frozen treats whereas additionally looking for to construct, develop and maintain more healthy communities,” mentioned Thompson. “Covington is the right match for us due to its robust assist of small companies and energetic area people. The rent-subsidy grant will assist us throughout that essential first 12 months when we have to get well from the price of constructing out an area and as we discover ways to greatest serve our new neighborhood.”

To use

Companies all for making use of for both the façade, historic electrical signal, or hire help incentives ought to contact Sarah Allan at (859) 292-2144 or sara[email protected]. For extra info, see functions and tips.

Deadlines for the 4th spherical of functions:

•  March 10, 2023, to fulfill with the Metropolis’s Preservation Specialist.
•   March 24, 2023, to submit the ultimate utility.
 
Between 2019 and 2022, this system has assisted 120 companies or initiatives, supported 35 companies with ladies, veteran, or Black house owners, leveraged nearly $7.2 million of personal funding, created or retained over 5,800 jobs, and impacted just below 450,000 sq. toes of vacant business area that has been stuffed or improved.

In 2021, this system acquired an award from the Worldwide Financial Improvement Council, the world’s largest council of growth professionals.