But there’s a catch: You have to compete with other Covington areas to “win” the City’s partnership.

 

The “competition” kicks off Tuesday night with an open house set up to explain participation requirements in “The RIPPLE Effect,” a program whose acronym stands for “Revitalization Includes People, Places, Lifestyles (and) Economic investment.”

 

The open house will take place 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 20 W. Pike St.

 

The City previously announced The RIPPLE Effect; this is a reminder of the open house. It will be set up in trade-show style with tables representing Departments and Divisions of City government. At 6 p.m., directors of those offices will give short presentations on how the services, programs, and priorities of their offices can be incorporated into the community-created plans.

 

Attendees will have the opportunity to both ask questions and talk one on one with City staff.

 

Among the City agencies represented will be Police, Fire, Neighborhood Services (including code enforcement, parks & recreation, housing/federal programs, and solid waste/recycling), Economic Development, and Public Works (including streets & sidewalks, and urban forestry).

 

The City can bring two things to bear: Funds for public improvements, and focused application of City services.

 

The purpose of The Ripple Effect is to collaborate to create energy, jobs, and local engagement in neighborhood business districts or nodes.

 

“Local government can’t and shouldn’t do it all, and the local community shouldn’t have to go it alone either,” said Covington Economic Development Director Tom West. “But together we can really jump-start a small area.”

 

Eligible partners for The RIPPLE Effect include community groups or councils, neighborhood associations, and associations or organizations that represent neighborhood businesses or business interests.

 

After the open house, groups will have a couple of weeks to submit a one-page summary of their plan so that City staff will use to determine eligibility. Then they’ll submit a full project funding request, which will outline how City investments, programs and services can combine with private investment and commitment to transform an area.

 

City staff will evaluate project proposals and recommend one to the City Commission for approval. Staff will work with the winning applicant to create a schedule for implementation, probably after the first of the year.

 

To see the program summary and guidelines, click HERE.

 

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