The city of Covington has awarded five small businesses with financial incentives in order to help them with rent and façade improvements.

At a recent Board of Commissioners legislative meeting, the commission approved two rent-subsidy and three façade improvement incentives through the city’s Small Business Development Program.

The program sets aside $150,000 each fiscal year to help businesses in three specific areas: improving the exterior’s of the business’s building, helping pay their first-year rent and restoring historic electric business signs. Between 2019 and 2022, the program has assisted 120 businesses or projects and supported 35 businesses that are black-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned.

“We have a new popsicle shop in the Eastside that will also produce sweet treats for stores around the region, joining our growing micro-manufacturing sector; a historic corner building that will be rehabbed back into its original commercial use in Wallace Woods; a growing tech business that will expand its payroll by almost $600,000 over the next year, and more,” said Covington’s Assistant Economic Development Director Sarah Allan.

Last Tuesday’s allotments were the third of the current fiscal year, leaving $48,684 available to be awarded before June 30.

Honey Child Artisan Pops

Located at 1204 Scott Blvd., Honey Child Artisan Pops is a black-owned, woman-owned business that makes hand-crafted popsicles free of cane sugar, dairy and gluten. Substituted in their place are ingredients like maple syrup, honey and plant-based proteins.

“Honey Child Pops makes delicious, better-for-you frozen treats while also seeking to build, grow and sustain healthier communities,” said owner Sarah Thompson.

A $4,710 rent subsidy was granted to Honey Child Artisan Pops for the business’ three-year lease.

“Covington is the perfect fit for us because of its strong support of small businesses and active local community,” Thompson said. “The rent-subsidy grant will help us during that crucial first year when we need to recover from the cost of building out a space and as we learn how to best serve our new community.”

Nichefire, Inc.

A $6,000 rent-subsidy was given to Nichefire, a business-to-business software as a service company. Located at 7 E. 5th St., Nichefire is adding $583,000 in new payroll.

The business has a two-year lease and is located in Covington’s Central Business District.

Runion Capital

A $6,000 façade improvement subsidy was given to Runion Capital, located at 138-42 Pike St.

The money will go toward paying for a $12,250 façade improvement, which includes a complete repainting of the building, as well as repairing its wood trimming.

J. Davis Law Firm

A $6,000 façade improvement subsidy was given to J. Davis Law Firm, a black-owned firm located at 2001 Scott Blvd. in Wallace Woods.

The money will go toward paying for a $27,843 façade improvement, which includes installing new windows, rebuilding the entire storefront, painting and wood repair.

909 Madison LLC

A $6,000 façade improvement subsidy was given to 909 Madison LLC for the building located at the businesses namesake address.

The money will go toward paying for a $16,299 façade improvement which includes repainting the entire building, tuckpointing, new windows and new doors.

The post Covington small businesses approved for façade improvements, rent subsidies appeared first on LINK nky.