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Columbia Economic Development reports $5.86M in loans over decade, broadband and housing efforts; supervisors approve $460,000 support
Summary
Columbia Economic Development officials told county supervisors that over the last decade the organization issued $5.86 million in small‑business loans, is advancing broadband and housing projects, and asked the county to continue $460,000 in annual support.
Columbia Economic Development (CEDC) officials reviewed 2024 activity with county supervisors, highlighting a decade of small-business lending, ongoing broadband work and housing initiatives, and asking the supervisors to continue the county contract at the same funding level.
A CEDC representative summarized the organization’s small-business loan work over the last 10 years: the organization has provided $5,860,000 in loans to 244 businesses and supplied technical‑assistance grants totaling about $1,400,000, according to the presentation. "When you add them together, I could do that. I didn't bring enough. $12,000,000," the presenter said when describing combined grant totals across programs; later he summarized the loan portfolio as about $3,500,000 on the books with interest earnings reinvested.
CEDC staff described broadband work and recent USDA and state interactions. The presenter said providers and the county have been working through federal/state lists of unserved addresses ahead of competitive rounds; he told supervisors that the county had secured early rounds of funding and that additional federal/state awards still require months before work and disbursements will occur.
On housing, CEDC described multiple initiatives: local interest in accessory dwelling unit (ADU) grants (about 40 applications for roughly 14 slots), a $2,000,000 accessory dwelling grant already awarded, work to certify municipalities under the state "Pro Housing Communities" program and several project inquiries for multi‑unit developments. The presenter said Hudson is certified under the program and the county expects most municipalities to complete certification, which could unlock grant programs tied to certification.
Supervisors approved CEDC’s annual contract and budgeted support. The county‑funding resolution presented to the supervisors requested $460,000 and was moved and seconded in committee; the motion passed. The committee then moved a recommendation that Chris Brown serve as CEDC’s representative on the Columbia Green Workforce Investment Board; that recommendation was forwarded and approved by the committee. Later, supervisors also approved an appointment of Dr. James Niedemeyer as WIOA Title II representative after a motion and second.
Chris Brown, speaking during the meeting, discussed grant debriefs and next steps after a recent competitive loss for a mobile home replacement program: "They gave us some really good pointers for how to create a more competitive application for this year, so we will reapply for that program," he said. CEDC also reported technical details of its loan program including typical loan sizes ($25,000–$50,000 over seven years at 5–7% interest) and net interest income over the past decade.
Committee discussion included request for continued transparency on broadband lists and timelines, questions about certification status for specific towns, and interest in how to pair state funding with local infrastructure needs for housing projects. The presenters said some program constraints—such as prevailing‑wage rules tied to certain subsidy levels—affect feasibility for mid‑county developments.
The committee accepted the CEDC contract for fiscal 2025 and approved the related personnel recommendations. No opposed votes were recorded in the committee for those items.
