Economic development office outlines downtown cleanups, small-business support and new nonprofit platform
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Summary
Frank Robinson, representing Montgomery's Department of Economic and Community Development, gave a detailed update on downtown cleanup efforts, digital marketing results, ARPA-funded streetscape planning, small-business assistance, and a proposed nonprofit platform to support reinvestment and housing.
Frank Robinson, representing the Montgomery Department of Economic and Community Development, presented a progress report to the City Council outlining downtown cleanup work, business-support programs and plans for a city-backed nonprofit platform.
Robinson said a targeted digital advertising campaign launched in June produced more than 171,000 impressions and “more than 1,400 direct clicks,” and that the campaign's click-through rate was “20 times the national average,” evidence, he said, that “interest in Montgomery is growing.” He described downtown cleanup metrics including 231 unauthorized signs removed, 77 graffiti tags eliminated, more than 2,200 cleanup actions and more than 55,000 pounds of trash collected. The office reported 43 pressure-washings at high-traffic locations and 867 hospitality assists for downtown visitors and merchants.
Robinson outlined program activity under the Access Montgomery initiative: more than 2,700 hours of business counseling delivered, 88 events reaching roughly 3,700 participants, and a CRM system now tracking referrals and outcomes. He said the department is partnering with Hope Credit Union on lending support and that several loan applications are currently in underwriting.
On capital projects, Robinson said the department is advancing three ARPA-funded streetscape and neighborhood planning projects in Midtown that focus on East Fairview, Carter Hill and College Street, with draft plans expected to be presented to the council later this year and implementation planned for 2026.
Robinson also described a planned nonprofit platform that "will house a community development corporation, a housing trust fund, and a community catalyst investment fund," and said a full proposal will be presented to the council later this month.
Council members and staff also discussed a community planting effort called Capital Blooms: Robinson said staff ordered 25,000 daffodil bulbs for distribution to neighborhood associations, schools and churches, to be packaged in bags of 50. According to the meeting transcript, the bulbs are expected to arrive Nov. 11 and, per remarks during the meeting, the cost will be covered by Clayton City.
Robinson closed by inviting council members to a new Montgomery Small Business Awards event and other upcoming activities to recognize entrepreneurs and support downtown activation.