City Manager Allen Dressler Highlights Numerous Projects and Thriving Business Growth in Covington
| By Jennifer Bailey
Staff Writer |
Covington, VA (Aug. 25, 2025)— This afternoon, the Alleghany Journal met up with Covington City Manager Allen Dressler at the Jackson River Sports Complex to discuss the numerous projects going on in both Covington and Alleghany County.
As it pertains to the latter, Dressler noted that the city of Covington had been working with public officials from the towns of Iron Gate and Clifton Forge, as well as Alleghany County. "[We're] looking at building on some good things and making it better for the entire Alleghany Highlands," Dressler said Monday afternoon. "I think it's been realized that we understand what's good for one locality will be good for all four localities, and just appreciate the working relationship that we have..."
As the discussion shifted to Covington, Dressler stated, "I had a staff meeting this morning and [I] encourage our staff, as well as our city council, 'take the time to just ride around Covington and look at all the good that we've accomplished over the last few years.' I appreciate our city council. They believe in us, they believe in our vision for things that we're doing and accomplishing."
One project mentioned was a new water line going in on Princeton Drive in the north end of the community which will eventually see new paving once the line has been successfully installed. Additionally, numerous other paving jobs have been occurring all around the city. "We have made a real investment in paving in Covington over the last couple years addressing some poor streets in all neighborhoods, not just one specific area in Covington," Dressler said.
When asked about the numerous businesses that have opened up around the city (i.e. Garcia's Bistro, Maple Trail Putt Putt, Mountain Rush, etc.], Dressler stated, "We are seeing an investment in Covington, as well as the Alleghany Highlands, but just here in Covington, we have the former Applebee's restaurant. It's reopened [as Garcia's Bistro] and I've heard nothing but good things about the food. The Japanese Steakhouse is to open as soon as we get the gas squared away there with Columbia Gas. Then in town with Mountain Rush, just so tickled what that brings to the locality, and not just our youth. As we had the ribbon-cutting the other day, it was mentioned that our seniors are wanting their time," the Covington Manager said with a smile.
We ended our chat with talk of the approaching fall season, fall events, football, and the Christmas light show that will soon luminate the Jackson River Sports Complex. All in all, it seemed evident that the Covington City Manager had much to smile about in terms of all the good things happening in the city. "This is home," Dressler said, "...this is home."
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