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Mayor’s economic development office proposes grant expansion, district funds and workforce focus
Summary
The administration and the Office of Economic Development told the committee April 16 they will refocus OED toward economic-development levers — tech, health care and construction — and seek to expand and professionalize county grant administration. The office said an expanded district-grant program would require additional OED staff.
The Mayor’s office and the Office of Economic Development (OED) briefed the Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee on April 16 about proposed FY26 priorities and a plan to sharpen OED’s focus on several “economic levers.”
Deputy administration officials and OED staff described four priority areas for focused economic development work: technology, health care, construction workforce development, and expanded support for agriculture-linked enterprises. OED emphasized building career pathways for local residents into those sectors and cited partnerships with nonprofits and educational programs that reach students and emerging workers.
OED representatives told the committee the office is preparing to professionalize a grants function — currently dispersed across departments — to perform competitive grant administration, program monitoring and to run clerked competitive processes for cultural, environmental and small-business grants. That work includes proposed outreach and training for grassroots applicants; officials said they would hold grant-writing workshops and support capacity-building so smaller organizations can compete for county and external funds.
Members asked about “residency area” funds that are distributed by council district. OED Director and administration staff said the office could manage an increased district-grant program but would need two to three additional staff dedicated to grant administration if each council member’s district allocation increases substantially.
The committee also discussed transfers of programs: the FY26 budget moves four Maui Humane Society grant programs into the Department of Agriculture. OED and administration staff said the county has been reviewing responsibilities and trying to streamline programs to the agencies with the best subject-matter fit.
Ending: Members asked the administration to return with a final staffing plan for any increased grant administration responsibilities and requested written details on how OED will train and vet new small-grantee applicants.
