Blab Business
Copperas Cove Economic Development Corp. Awards $5,000 Grant to Kiln + Cone
Copperas Cove’s downtown just received a splash of color and creativity. On Friday, the city’s Economic Development Corporation announced a $5,000 Business Improvement Grant for Kiln + Cone, a family‑friendly venue that has transformed a former restaurant into a paint‑your‑own pottery studio with an ice‑cream counter.
The grant, part of a city‑wide program that reimburses up to 50 percent of eligible improvement costs, was awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Kiln + Cone, owned by Ashley Lyons, used the funding to add new signage, update the façade, and install interior upgrades that turn the space into a welcoming hub for residents and visitors alike.
"The Business Improvement Grant Program is designed to encourage reinvestment in our existing businesses and create a strong sense of place throughout the community," said Sean Stevens, assistant executive director of the CCEDC.
Launched in August 2025 with $25,000 earmarked for downtown revitalization, the program caps each award at $5,000 and pays for 50 percent of qualifying expenses. Eligible recipients include for‑profit businesses, property owners, and tenants located within city limits. When the annual allotment is exhausted, applicants may re‑apply in the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1.
Copperas Cove, the largest city in Coryell County, had a population of 36,670 according to the 2020 census. The city’s economy is closely tied to nearby Fort Hood and forms part of the Killeen‑Temple‑Fort Hood metropolitan statistical area. Downtown has seen a steady influx of small‑business projects in recent years, and the grant program is intended to accelerate that trend by improving storefronts, signage, and other permanent building upgrades.
Kiln + Cone is one of the first projects to benefit from the program. The new concept blends creative arts with casual dining, offering a unique attraction for families in the region. Renovations included new exterior paint, updated lighting, a refreshed storefront sign, and interior fixtures that accommodate pottery‑painting stations and an ice‑cream counter. The improvements are expected to increase foot traffic and support the broader downtown economy.
The CCEDC describes the grant program as a “matching reimbursement grant” that supports projects that “strengthen the appearance and functionality of local businesses.” Applicants must submit a detailed project plan and cost estimate, and the CCEDC urges businesses to apply early because the $25,000 annual budget is allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis and may be exhausted before the fiscal year ends.
For more information about the Business Improvement Grant Program or to submit an application, businesses can visit the CCEDC website at https://coveedc.com/business/business-improvement-grant. The program is part of the city’s broader economic development strategy, which includes incentives for new construction, support for existing businesses, and initiatives to enhance the downtown corridor.
The award to Kiln + Cone demonstrates the CCEDC’s commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and improving the commercial environment in Copperas Cove. As the city continues to attract new ventures, the grant program is expected to play a key role in shaping the downtown landscape and supporting the growth of small businesses in the region.
The grant, part of a city‑wide program that reimburses up to 50 percent of eligible improvement costs, was awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Kiln + Cone, owned by Ashley Lyons, used the funding to add new signage, update the façade, and install interior upgrades that turn the space into a welcoming hub for residents and visitors alike.
"The Business Improvement Grant Program is designed to encourage reinvestment in our existing businesses and create a strong sense of place throughout the community," said Sean Stevens, assistant executive director of the CCEDC.
Launched in August 2025 with $25,000 earmarked for downtown revitalization, the program caps each award at $5,000 and pays for 50 percent of qualifying expenses. Eligible recipients include for‑profit businesses, property owners, and tenants located within city limits. When the annual allotment is exhausted, applicants may re‑apply in the next fiscal year, which begins on October 1.
Copperas Cove, the largest city in Coryell County, had a population of 36,670 according to the 2020 census. The city’s economy is closely tied to nearby Fort Hood and forms part of the Killeen‑Temple‑Fort Hood metropolitan statistical area. Downtown has seen a steady influx of small‑business projects in recent years, and the grant program is intended to accelerate that trend by improving storefronts, signage, and other permanent building upgrades.
Kiln + Cone is one of the first projects to benefit from the program. The new concept blends creative arts with casual dining, offering a unique attraction for families in the region. Renovations included new exterior paint, updated lighting, a refreshed storefront sign, and interior fixtures that accommodate pottery‑painting stations and an ice‑cream counter. The improvements are expected to increase foot traffic and support the broader downtown economy.
The CCEDC describes the grant program as a “matching reimbursement grant” that supports projects that “strengthen the appearance and functionality of local businesses.” Applicants must submit a detailed project plan and cost estimate, and the CCEDC urges businesses to apply early because the $25,000 annual budget is allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis and may be exhausted before the fiscal year ends.
For more information about the Business Improvement Grant Program or to submit an application, businesses can visit the CCEDC website at https://coveedc.com/business/business-improvement-grant. The program is part of the city’s broader economic development strategy, which includes incentives for new construction, support for existing businesses, and initiatives to enhance the downtown corridor.
The award to Kiln + Cone demonstrates the CCEDC’s commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and improving the commercial environment in Copperas Cove. As the city continues to attract new ventures, the grant program is expected to play a key role in shaping the downtown landscape and supporting the growth of small businesses in the region.
