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EDC sets $4,500 preliminary budget to support White House City Center grand opening
Summary
The Economic Development Corporation approved a $4,500 preliminary budget (unanimous) to support the City Center grand opening at 109 East Main Street, splitting sponsorship opportunities with the Chamber of Commerce and planning promotional displays and hospitality for an expected crowd of about 200.
The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) voted unanimously on April 17 to set a preliminary budget of $4,500 to support the grand opening of the new City Center at 109 East Main Street.
EDC staff described the event as an early-August open-house and formal dedication intended to showcase the City Center, the EDC office and the Chamber of Commerce relocation. The corp. said City Council has already approved a $2,500 event budget covering professional photography, branded refreshments and 200 individually wrapped cookies; the EDC’s budget will supplement that for displays, swag and other promotional items.
“As a part of the city's ongoing commitment to enhance our community spaces and fostering economic growth, Staff has decided to update you on the upcoming grand opening event for the city center at 109 East Main Street,” said Susan, an EDC staff member, describing planned tours, public safety displays and a formal dedication. Staff identified early August as the target timeframe and said the event is being planned for roughly 200 guests.
Board members debated sponsorship options including splitting cookie costs with the Chamber (estimated cookie cost $650), sponsoring charcuterie hors d’oeuvres for about $3,000 (200 servings), funding a prize drawing, or buying reusable promotional materials such as a step-and-repeat backdrop and display boards. One member proposed using part of the EDC allocation for reusable promotional items (backdrops, storyboards, brochures and “swag”) that the EDC could reuse at future events.
“I'll make a motion, that we set a preliminary budget at $4,500 subject to review based on what staff can discover,” the meeting chair said; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with the board recording the motion as carrying unanimously.
Staff said the Chamber has agreed to contribute $1,500 toward event expenses. The EDC noted it currently pays a modest rental amount for the new EDC office and views the grand opening as an opportunity to raise awareness of EDC services and to present the facility positively to the community.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of EDC minutes (Jan. 16, 2025): approved (consent agenda, unanimous) - Preliminary grand opening budget: motion to set $4,500 (subject to staff review): approved, unanimous
The board directed staff to return with a detailed proposal of how the EDC funds would be used at the next meeting, including proposed displays, swag and any additional costs for catering or presentation materials.
