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McKinney CDC approves $970,000 grant to HUGS for new headquarters
Summary
The McKinney Community Development Corporation approved a $970,000 project grant to HUGS to support infrastructure for a new headquarters at 803 Green Street; public speakers affiliated with HUGS urged the board to back the project.
The McKinney Community Development Corporation on Feb. 27 approved a $970,000 project grant to HUGS (Huggs/HUGS Cafe) to support infrastructure costs associated with construction of a new headquarters at 803 Green Street.
Board members approved the grant during the regular meeting after public comment from HUGS staff and supporters and a period of discussion by the board. The grant award represents 9.7% of the total project cost as reported during the meeting; payment will be handled on a reimbursement basis once eligible project costs are verified.
Public comment in support of the project came from HUGS representatives. Ruth Thompson, who identified HUGS’s address as “224 East Virginia,” told the board the new facility would “support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities” and allow the organization to create “a cafe and training academy in 1 building” to showcase its employment and training programs. Employee Benjamin Jennings said HUGS had provided him a training pathway and called himself “the official ambassador for HUGS” and asked the board to “please support our request and create more job success like mine.”
During board discussion, one member noted the grant is among the larger facility grants the CDC has approved and said the organization had weighed precedent against the community impact, citing the city’s larger fund balance and the size of McKinney’s economy as factors in the decision to support the project. A motion to approve the grant was made and seconded; the board voted to approve the $970,000 award (motion passed; vote tally not specified in the meeting record).
The board and staff noted the grant will be paid on a reimbursement basis after staff verifies submitted invoices and completion of eligible infrastructure work. Advocates said the new HUGS headquarters will centralize training and employment supports for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and could expand local job pathways.
The board’s approval followed project presentations and public comments; construction and reimbursement timing were not specified in detail at the meeting.
Ending: The CDC did not specify an exact start date for construction during the meeting; staff confirmed reimbursement requests will be verified before payment and that further project details can be provided by HUGS and city staff as the development proceeds.
