Fort Thomas business council previews summer events as economic development staff resign

Christine Small, chair of the Fort Thomas Business Council, briefed the city council on June 15 about summer promotions and efforts to support downtown businesses.

She highlighted recent ribbon cuttings, including an Edward Jones relocation, merchant promotions such as a scavenger hunt to drive traffic to south-end businesses, the merchants & music lineup for the Fourth of July parade weekend, and youth-band performances scheduled across event locations. Christine described the council's communication strategy (monthly business email managed by Savannah, social media posts and the business council newsletter) and asked the city to consider adding a QR code to the city newsletter to help spread foster-care recruitment and other timely notices.

Council members acknowledged the presentations and then announced staffing changes in the city's economic development office: the economic development director and an assistant (Tiffany Mayo was named in public remarks) have submitted resignations effective soon. Members thanked both employees for their service and said the farmers market and Renaissance board volunteers are stepping in to keep events running while the city searches for replacements. Council discussed ensuring continuity for programs such as merchants & music and the kids zone and urged supportive handoffs for interim staff.

Councilors discussed a recommendation to explore a dedicated volunteer-collaboration structure (referred to in remarks as a KORA collaboration) to better organize green-space and trail volunteers. Staff also noted a $77,000 rubber-surface grant had been received for the Highland Playground project, which remains on schedule.