The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted Nov. 25 to approve a memorandum of understanding authorizing a $2,000,000 county grant to Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. for the construction of a 121‑unit affordable residential development at 40 West Long Street in Columbus.

Robin Moorehead, assistant prosecuting attorney, told the board the project will include a mix of unit sizes and a 30‑year affordability period as set out in the MOU. The MOU includes a clawback provision that would allow the county to recover grant funds on a prorated annual basis if the property becomes subject to a nuisance action, Moorehead said. She described the clawback as decreasing each year through the 30‑year period.

Jonathan McKay, vice president of development with Woda Cooper, gave a breakdown of the unit tiers as presented to the board, saying the majority of units are targeted at the 50% and 60% area‑median‑income (AMI) levels and listing 34 units at 50% AMI and 36 at 60% AMI. McKay also said there are units at lower AMI tiers (he cited 17 units at 40% AMI during the exchange).

Commissioners and county staff discussed a negotiated commitment to provide broadband service at no cost to 20% of the units and to make broadband available in community spaces to all residents of the development. County Administrator Kenneth Wilson said county negotiators asked for as many subsidized units as possible to receive free broadband and praised the inclusion of dedicated program space for partner services, noting Impact and Jewish Family Services will provide on‑site support services.

Moorehead confirmed the MOU requires maintenance and behavioral expectations for the project site and includes warranties that run with the land. After discussion, the board moved and adopted Resolution 88925; the measure was recorded as adopted with a noted abstention (the clerk recorded an abstention by Commissioner Boyce).

What happens next: the MOU establishes the grant and conditions; any future disbursement and contract documents will be subject to the terms in the MOU and further administrative steps.

Sources: Franklin County Board of Commissioners general session, Nov. 25, 2025 (presentation by Robin Moorehead; remarks by Jonathan McKay; remarks by Kenneth Wilson).