By KRIS HILL

The Reporter

Planning how Covington's business community develops is key, even as downtown is booming with new businesses like Costco and Home Depot.

To that end, the city has been using grant money from the state Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to develop an economic element to its comprehensive plan, which serves as a blueprint for Covington's development.

As part of that process, city officials are hosting a followup economic development forum at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 at Covington City Hall, said planning manager Richard Hart. More information about the meeting is available at www.ci.covington.wa.us.

Proposals have been developed since the last meeting in June, and "what we’re looking for from the public is reaction, comments and suggestions," Hart said. "Is there anything that has been left out of the plan? Are the goals and policies reasonable? There’s still time to make changes."

Work on this project began in March. In June, about 50 people, including businesspersons, attended a forum and suggested, among other things, to continue to diversify new businesses, develop professional office buildings and improve public transit as ways to build a lasting economy in the city.

Covington residents have told the city they still want a number of other services and businesses, such as a cycle shop, furniture stores, REI, Trader Joe's, a movie theater, hotels, a bowling alley, a book store and light manufacturing.

Another suggestion was to establish a farmers market, a park-and-ride for public transit-users, and bypass routes around downtown.

Staff writer Kris Hill can be reached at (425) 432-1209 (extension 5054) and khill@reporternewspapers.com

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