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Council backs letter of support for downtown manager grant, agrees on small city match
Summary
Council voted to provide a letter of support for an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Ready Grant application to fund a downtown manager; the applicant requested a $15,000 city pledge over three years ($5,000/year), and council approved the letter of support.
Council approved a letter of support for an Appalachian Regional Commission Ready Grants to Grow application seeking capacity funding to hire a full‑time downtown manager and establish a downtown management program.
Julie (representing SRI) described the application as a three‑year capacity‑building project intended to recruit businesses, coordinate downtown activities, and encourage housing and storefront occupancy. She said the city’s requested contribution would be $15,000 total — $5,000 per year for three years — drawn from the community and economic development line item if the grant is awarded.
A motion to provide the letter of support for SRI’s application was made and seconded. During the roll call the transcript records affirmative votes from multiple council members (Eister, Savage, Barnhart, Brocious, Martina). The council approved the letter of support; Julie said the grant would be submitted this week and clarified that the city contribution would only be used if the grant is awarded.
Council did not finalize an appropriation at this meeting; Julie said the requested $15,000 would be budgeted across three years (2026–2028) only if the ARC grant is successful.
