By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

INDEPENDENCE - A $10 million plan to build a regional farmers market in the heart of Covington has the thumbs-up from county officials, but questions were raised about its ability to compete with historic Findlay Market in Cincinnati.

At meeting this week, the Kenton County Fiscal Court endorsed the concept, which planners have compared to the long-standing urban farmers markets in Cincinnati, Columbus and Philadelphia.

These markets - and the Covington plan - include upscale vendors and specialty-food sellers with traditional produce stands.

The indoor-outdoor market would be centrally located, safe, accessible to a "high-density daytime population'' and would offer ample parking. Planners say a market analysis showed the project would tap into a share of the multimillion-dollar market for "food at home'' in the urban areas around the location.

The proposed site for the market is part of the block bounded by Scott Boulevard and Sixth and Seventh streets.

Tuesday, backers plan to seek the support of Covington City Commission. Before the Nov. 5 election, all eight candidates for City Commission said that they supported creating a regional year-round farmers market.

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com