[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6045981,"mediaKeyId","3574142-ff0ad2250f402e39af615002ef737a83","parentId",3574142,"title","Keene EDC discusses changing meeting times, industrial-park strategy and small-business incentives","audioSeconds",1783,"startMs",613000,"endMs",2396000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3574142-ff0ad2250f402e39af615002ef737a83&start=613&end=2396","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3574142-ff0ad2250f402e39af615002ef737a83/thumbnail_613000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6045981/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Keene-EDC-discusses-changing-meeting-times-industrial-park-strategy-and-small-business-incentives","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6045981-ba23665d15b14b6f6a54d63a1d21ae5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202347&Signature=YQtG8P2HHijFVo5-k4NFgspktJSMdLwckkIBpHIX5V2R~kkvgndXiEG11NoAwIDXEQ41oGeENvk0ByLSOWKJiUDFjm4UJY7SlZK024FxjZM7agm4jYXpkeaf1vHnGw53z336nsptI7Bjn1rYyW0jTyQv2P4A6dUUgy1Oi1JPYZhXSiwxTLOKetL~4DHrlhHzilrBPjlQ5mhAjHZ5u~8eNPULfGoIcUGw9HZZNlDH5B7vPCb2ouZg-D6nODMHlY0JYdE8BuvQ2baaMP9mnFAMsKSgjfKpFb5suEZEAt-xJqQ~obbTVeP29yQgJiZvjpx2I8X~WguSH4OpOP5uWNbatg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Keene, Texas","date","2025-04-17T02:45:48Z","article","Members of the Keene Economic Development Corporation Type A board discussed whether changing the regular 9:00 a.m. meeting time would increase resident participation and how the board might promote industrial-park growth and offer targeted incentives to businesses.

Several board members said they had heard from residents who would prefer evening meetings and suggested adding a question about preferred meeting times to the EDC application so staff can measure interest before proposing a formal change. The board noted it is currently full and that changing the time would be considered only if there is demonstrated interest from potential applicants or members who cannot attend the morning meetings.

On economic development strategy, board members asked staff to prepare agenda items on three topics: a strategic plan for the city and how budget priorities align with it; a plan for promoting and enhancing the industrial park (including signage at park entrances); and a possible annual fund or small-grant program to help existing or prospective businesses with minor improvements (examples discussed included concrete pads for equipment and small exterior fixes, with amounts on the order of $5,000–$6,000 mentioned as illustrative).

Staff and board agreed to place the industrial-park sign, strategic planning and the incentive-grant concept on a future agenda; the board also asked members to review the current bylaws ahead of that discussion. No formal vote or policy decision was adopted on changing meeting times, incentives or signage at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Keene, Texas | Type A Board Meeting | 04/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members debated whether moving the Type A meeting to an evening time would increase citizen participation, and agreed to add strategic planning for the industrial park, signage and a small-business incentive program to a future agenda.","taxTitle","Keene, Johnson County, Texas","taxId",69538,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6045986,"City manager says $3 million grant targets water upgrades; sewer expansion may require separate funding",62,452000,514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3574142-ff0ad2250f402e39af615002ef737a83&start=452&end=514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3574142-ff0ad2250f402e39af615002ef737a83/thumbnail_452000.jpg","/articles/6045986/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/City-manager-says-3-million-grant-targets-water-upgrades-sewer-expansion-may-require-separate-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6045986-6d5e4073f62b9627ebc80200f5f46a65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202348&Signature=F7ZPePGYWZwQDZwmJNJxVPCYF~ZHhKxFZ8PBoD2CJnsw6nKcJlLGLN~NKAs5nDTi8GGXzMYEJS4BZW6XRTYiAemMTA8QtoFCaRvB7D6lvvoV1~miiqCW8AOAMrx7GqKO-IzCoYmLPaBlTErX6a72D1jUcXykyGnizuEBPf61DEl9w6RVvcCqweD63W~QZHetJW3qsXFr0eNpxtFSRQxPX88vpRTprglSkaZrw4F8OcbdfjvjQvDhnPp5XAywmRolliwaeC6ivdnsAPII6IZjFvMCnBJ0rBcFdsQbk8AWjKjWa33XVm-bVeLGYcYHuMiy98EIdyGyp6htwEE2TWNeBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City administration updated the Keene EDC Type A board on water infrastructure planning and a recently discussed $3 million grant, emphasizing the funding is focused on water-system needs rather than sewer capacity.

The city manager told the board that the grant is primarily for water; staff described a multi-year plan with an estimated $20 million scope to address aging infrastructure and future growth. Staff detailed common needs that the grant would help address, including replacing old 2-inch steel mains with larger 6-inch lines and evaluating new well capacity. The manager said planners expect the city to require significant capacity increases in about 10 years if growth projections hold, and that delaying upgrades risks repeating earlier capacity shortfalls experienced elsewhere.

Board members asked whether the current grant would include sewer-plant expansion to serve new subdivisions and industrial growth; staff replied that sewer expansion would require additional funding and time, and likely appear in a later grant application or separate funding effort. The manager also said the city has been using a planning software tool to model water needs and that staff will share a strategic plan with the public and council when it is ready.

The board did not take formal action on the water plan at the meeting; staff indicated next steps will include community outreach and continued planning with an eye toward grant timing and budget implications.","Keene city administration told the EDC Type A board that a $3 million grant the city has is intended for water projects — upsizing aging 2-inch lines, possible new well capacity and planning for future growth — while sewer-plant expansion would need additional funding in later grant cycles.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6045991,"Keene EDC Type A approves March minutes and February financial report",1236,563000,1799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3574142-ff0ad2250f402e39af615002ef737a83&start=563&end=1799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3574142-ff0ad2250f402e39af615002ef737a83/thumbnail_563000.jpg","/articles/6045991/Keene/Johnson-County/Texas/Keene-EDC-Type-A-approves-March-minutes-and-February-financial-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6045991-12791e38b2328e7799d444a82798c869/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202348&Signature=C91MMXJL4O4G0s2eLEcRq~bVrJSjt~R7kDVHG0JvrpzijW7UDLFsyUHE3F440N8jG~~yE74Vf-BFYXzOVxlUztkU00fY6Fu59dEZ1WSEp6DijBdbTWLSPgvv0x5wlMuCBNVmCtFHDxwvu6hV8EYWfLdOXY9PJEOYxOYNL-o3vx1uDfDmXgci7Rs4dRR1FLr8KCTWNZKWWZ~ZN86uz3ZiDYXRwdd1pKAFI~UnGXBYEJJl~up3nCRh8sQ6CHY-HcUmNQqom7Q64o107n6EuZ1lDHvynCkw-6BsBFrP2QYrEVm61p9ccaN0is1yPCx42VDAP7BTww0qm0SQxx9sqLrIdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Keene Economic Development Corporation Type A board unanimously approved two routine items at its meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m., voting to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of March 19, 2025, and approving the financial report for the month ending Feb. 28, 2025.

Board members heard a sales-tax and budget update from Charles, the city finance director. He reported monthly sales-tax receipts of $34,765 (October), $20,297 (November), $21,580 (December), $28,317 (January) and $38,327 (February), totaling $143,290 across the five months described. Through the end of February the city recorded total revenue of $151,243 (about 43.2% of the annual target, roughly 1.5 percentage points above its pacing target) and expenses of $108,447 (about 24.1% of budget, roughly 17 percentage points below target). Charles said the city holds $323,966 in a money-market account; he noted the city previously moved $324,000 in December to purchase property on 60 Seventh for a police station and that amount will be replenished in coming months.

The board moved and seconded both approvals and recorded unanimous approval. The minutes approval and the financial report votes were recorded as approved by all board members present.

Board members also offered public thanks to Charles for his service to the city; Charles declined extended remarks but confirmed he would be available to assist during the transition.

The board had no executive session during the meeting and adjourned at 9:42 a.m.","The Keene Economic Development Corporation Type A board unanimously approved minutes from its March 19, 2025 meeting and accepted the financial report for the month ending Feb. 28, 2025, hearing a sales-tax update and a planned replenishment of funds used to buy property for the police station.","actionData","errors"]

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Keene EDC discusses changing meeting times, industrial-park strategy and small-business incentives

City manager says $3 million grant targets water upgrades; sewer expansion may require separate funding

Keene EDC Type A approves March minutes and February financial report