Covington City Council member Mark Sacco has questioned the efforts of the economic development office to attract new business to the community. As chairman of the economic development committee, his view of economic development is very specific.

He feels an economic development office should be divided into two components: an information office that can send out immediate press releases and manage the Web site, and a person whose primary function is to sell the city in an agreed upon focus and marketing manner to attract business growth. This is not occurring in Covington, he said.

In addition, he is critical of a number of things done by the economic development office, including a lack of emphasis on long-range planning in marketing and a lack of purpose to what is done. “We are not immune to the current economic conditions, and I believe once people feel comfortable again with pressing issues such as employment and investment security, they will readily venture into business opportunities,” said Pam Keller, director of economic development.

The office has compiled a report showing the occupational licenses granted to businesses opening in the city for the year 2008. According to the report, service businesses, retail outlets and restaurants comprised the bulk of the 79 occupational licenses granted during 2008. Included in this number are the businesses that have relocated to other parts of the city and home offices.

Her report showed that during the first half of the year, 51 new licenses were granted. New licenses decreased by about half the second half of the year, with only 28 granted between July 1 and Dec. 12, the last one granted for the year. Numbers are not available for the month of January 2009.

In addition, there are about 35 vacant properties in the downtown area, including suites at the old Southern Hotel on Boston Street and the Boston Commons, according to the report. Many of the available properties contain pieces of Covington history, such as the Skyfire Theater and the Lee Lane area.

Existing retailers in the downtown area have been concerned about business and the effects of the national economic downturns as well as new retail complexes in neighboring areas.

Despite this, Covington Mayor Candace Watkins said the city is still seeing healthy sales tax revenue in comparison to other municipalities in the parish, and the city possibly has the highest concentration of jobs in the parish.

Watkins said the office is, in fact, updating the Web site and trying to attract new business, with an emphasis on matching businesses with available properties. While many areas are interested in new construction, Watkins said Covington is more interested in renovation of existing properties in the historic downtown business area. The city also wants business retention, not a business that will be in the city temporarily.