Panama City’s Community Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday discussed a proposed partnership with the Boys and Girls Club to restore after‑school programming in the Millville neighborhood and to use CRA funds to support programming tied to the agency’s redevelopment plan.

Hank Hill, chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Club, told the CRA the organization serves “kids who really do need us most and those families” and described plans to expand from about 85 registered members to a facility that could serve up to 150 children annually once construction is finished. Arthur Cullen, a Club board member, said the organization will mark its 60th year in Bay County in 2026.

City staff and board members said the planned CRA contribution would be limited to programming rather than a capital grant. Joy Marler, who has primary responsibility for the CRA, explained that the distinction reflects both the CRA plan and statutory constraints: the agency can fund activities that directly advance its redevelopment objectives but generally does not make capital payments to third‑party property owners. “This is a nonprofit. It’s not a typical … grant program established for a facade that they’re applying for,” Marler said, while noting the Club’s programming aligns with CRA goals.

Commissioners pressed for safeguards to avoid creating a broad precedent for nonprofit capital requests. Commissioner Hughes and others proposed strict qualification requirements; staff said an MOU could require the Club to complete construction and demonstrate readiness to operate programming before CRA funds are disbursed.

Club representatives described current funding and construction status. Cullen said the Club secured a $2 million federal appropriation through Congressman Neal Dunn—$1 million to Millville and $1 million to a separate 19th Street project—but the award was filed as a single bill and must be drawn down together, leaving a local shortfall the Club has been covering privately. Architectural plans for Millville are “about 98% finished,” Cullen said.

Transportation emerged as a central barrier to expanding enrollment. Club staff said the school district no longer reliably provides bus spots and the Club has assumed transportation responsibilities; a new school bus runs about $100,000 and new vans roughly $60,000. Commissioners and staff discussed exploring shared‑driver arrangements, CDBG funds, and other grants to reduce costs and boost capacity.

Board members also recommended tying any CRA support to an economic‑impact rationale and to solicit feedback from residents within the CRA, because this would be an uncommon use of the agency’s tax increment funds. The board directed staff to draft a memorandum of understanding that specifies eligibility, timing, and drawdown conditions and to return to the CRA board on Feb. 3 for fuller consideration.

The CRA did not take a formal vote during the workshop; staff said the draft MOU will be presented at the Feb. 3 meeting for possible direction or approval.