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Keene EDC discusses local business grants, outreach committee and a workshop to engage businesses
Summary
Board members reviewed examples of local business assistance grants, discussed whether awards should be approved by council or delegated to the EDC, agreed to pursue a workshop and an executive session to develop a business-outreach committee and to contact local employers to invite them to the workshop.
The Keene Economic Development Corporation Type A Board received information and discussed options for a local business assistance grant program and an outreach committee to engage new and existing businesses.
Staff provided examples from nearby cities and a Texas Municipal League chart showing how A- and B-type EDC funding is commonly used. Staff said program design decisions include who reviews applications, whether awards require council approval, whether awards are matching or fixed amounts, and what eligible activities (job training, façade or infrastructure improvements) would be covered.
Holly said the city had looked at examples from Alvarado and Cleburne and that “really the decisions on the program are up to you and then council's final approval to move forward with.” She added that PMI handled grant application work and that consultant costs can be covered from grant awards or program budgets when planned.
Board members discussed structuring a committee to interact with incoming and existing businesses. One board member suggested inviting anchors such as Allsup’s and Tractor Supply to participate in outreach and to recommend vendors that might locate in Keene. Members agreed a workshop would be useful to develop a welcome package and other resources for businesses.
The board agreed to schedule a special workshop and to hold an executive session next month for the EDC board to align on parameters before outreach. Holly was asked to work on two meetings: an executive-session meeting for board alignment and a public workshop for businesses. Staff also said they will call local businesses to invite them when a date is set.
The meeting included discussion of regional coordination: an EDC director said local EDC directors (Alvarado, Cleburne, Crowley, Joshua and Burleson) meet informally to share leads and ideas. Staff also reported on a North Central Texas Workforce Solutions event and referenced the dfwjobs.com site as a resource for employer outreach and training grants.
Board members raised operational support issues: staff noted the city anticipates posting a vacant development services position to handle permits and business intake, which staff said will help with business assistance once filled.
No formal ordinance or program was adopted at the meeting. The board received the information, discussed program design choices, and provided nonbinding direction for staff to develop program templates and to schedule the planned workshop and executive session.
