Sixteen mini-grants awarded to Covington projects

In April, the Center for Great Neighborhoods awarded 16 mini-grants from the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program to Covington projects. The grants, which totaled $34,000, are funded by Place Matters and are managed by CGN.
 
Projects highlight both the neighborhood’s history and the Covington Bicentennial, and range from repurposing an underutilized parking lot into a community gathering space to transforming vacant lots into urban farms.
 
In all, 15 different resident-led organizations in Covington received grants, in amounts that range from $700-$4,000.
 
Awesome Collective received $2,000 to host four community gatherings and another $2,000 to create a zine, the Index of Awesome, that celebrates Covington’s diversity and creativity.
 
The Eastside Neighborhood Association received $800 for Phase VI of its beautification efforts, and $2,000 to beautify the area adjacent to Randolph Park. Friends of Linden Grove Cemetery got $2,000 to create a video presentation of the cemetery’s history, current restoration and improvement efforts, and appeal for financial support.
 
The Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association received a $2,000 grant to design, create and install 10 banners in Licking Riverside for Covington’s Bicentennial. Keep Covington Beautiful received $2,000 to turn a parking lot at the corner of Seventh and Washington into a multi-purpose community gathering space. In partnership with Make Goebel Great, Keep Covington Beautiful also received $4,000 to renovate Goebel Park.
 
The Latonia Community Council and the Latonia Small Area Study received $4,000 to hold a series of events throughout Latonia to reach out to the community and engage residents. The Levassor Park Neighborhood Association received a $2,000 grant to hold a workshop to educate residents on the importance of being ready for an emergency.
 
The Linden Gateway Small Area Study Oversight Committee received $2,000 to create an urban greenway that will connect Westside and the Linden Gateway Cemetery to MainStrasse. Monte Cristo received $700 to hold events in the spring and fall for the community.
 
The Northern Kentucky Council of the Blind received $2,000 to enhance White Cane Safety Day in October. Grow the Cov got $2,000 to hold a workshop to educate residents on the importance and benefits of rainwater, as well as $2,000 to build six community gardens. The Westside Action Coalition and Old Seminary Square received a $2,500 grant to build a park south of MLK between Russell and Banklick.
 
Since 2007, CGN has awarded almost $299,000 to support 149 resident-led projects, which has helped engage the Covington community in shaping the neighborhood’s future.