By Jacob Lange
NKyTribune intern
The City of Covington’s recently appointed economic development manager has hit the ground running and plans to help make Covington a city people of all ages can enjoy.
Geoff Milz was chosen for the economic developer job out of more than 90 applicants. The Cincinnati native attended the University of Cincinnati, receiving an undergraduate degree in environmental studies and a master’s degree in urban planning.
Milz, who officially took over the role of economic development manager on June 1, grew up in the Cincinnati neighborhood of College Hill. Upon graduating from college, he was determined to “save the world.”
Milz traveled to Cayuga County, New York after graduation in 2008, where he worked for the county’s Development of Planning and Economic Development department. While in Cayuga County, Milz focused on building and maintaining the agricultural base of the area while also working to improve their tourism industry before coming back to the Greater Cincinnati area in October of 2012.
Milz also worked as a research assistant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency while in college. He is LEED-AP certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and is licensed by the American Institute of Commercial Planners.
Milz came back to the Cincinnati area to begin working for Colerain Township as its director of building, planning, and zoning for more than two-and-a-half years. During his time in Colerain, Milz was in charge of code enforcement, comprehensive planning of neighborhoods, zoning laws, and more. In, April Milz was chosen by the Covington City Commission to become the city’s newest economic developer.
“The city is set up to flourish,” Milz said. “The opportunities that exist in this city can be found no where else in the region, I believe.”
In his capacity as economic development manager his is also a member of Renaissance Covington. The group is focused on revitalizing downtown Covington by fostering proactive community efforts and partnerships.
Milz, 33, also believes that Covington’s adjacency to Cincinnati is an asset the city can use to its advantage.
One of the biggest projects Milz wants to tackle involves the city’s infrastructure and the many beautiful buildings across Covington that are currently sitting vacant.
“The buildings are incredible, but how do we get some of these buildings back online,” said Milz.
With the booming market of Cincinnati right across the river, Milz wants to find a way to generate a buzz about the many people living, working, or just visiting the city to experience its great assets.
“My goal is to help Covington thrive,” Milz said, “I’m trying to be an agent for change.”
One way he plans to bring change to Covington is through helping local businesses, both big and small, flourish and succeed while also recruiting new businesses to take over the store-fronts in many of the city’s abandoned buildings.
“There’s a place in Covington for everybody,” Milz said. “Latonia is this quaint, beautiful, stable neighborhood filled with families. Downtown in the Ascent is a place for empty nesters, and there will be more and more places for the younger generation in years to come.”
Milz said he is fascinated by Covington’s ability to appeal to a wide range of people
As Gateway Community & Technical College moves into the city of Covington more students will be in the area and hopefully wanting to live close by.
“I get so excited about this city and I like to share that excitement with others,” said Milz. “I consider myself a cheerleader for this city.”
Jacob Lange is a senior journalism major at the University of Kentucky.