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Murphy Council Unanimously Approves Revised ‘Revamp’ Small‑Business Grant Guidelines
Summary
The Murphy City Council approved amendments to the Revamp (Revive and Advance Murphy’s Prosperity) grant program to raise award levels, clarify eligible uses and streamline review. Staff said the program previously had only one applicant; council urged better outreach.
Murphy — The Murphy City Council unanimously approved amendments to the Revamp small‑business grant program to raise award limits, tighten eligible uses and speed decision-making for mid‑range requests.
City staff presented the changes as updates to the policy first adopted in September 2021. Reagan (Reagan Rothenberger), the staff presenter, said the program’s goal is to “assist in the enhancement of the physical aspects of our corridor” and urged clearer guidance for applicants and staff. He told the council the program has had only one applicant since adoption — Jason’s Deli — and that staff wants to make the grants more attractive to local businesses.
The approved changes include higher maximums in multiple categories, clarified examples of eligible site and building improvements, and an explicit ineligible item: fire lanes. Staff also raised the program’s minimum to reduce administrative burden for very small awards and increased several category thresholds (examples cited by staff showed prior $5,000 levels being raised). Applications below certain thresholds will be handled by the MDD board without full council review.
Council members urged stronger outreach so businesses know funding exists. One member said the fund had “just been sitting in MDD” and recommended better marketing and partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. Reagan said staff plans to work with the Chamber to publicize the program.
A motion to adopt the amendments passed unanimously. The changes will be implemented as policy guidance; each awarded grant will continue to require property‑owner consent where applicable and the awards remain matching grants, Reynolds said. (Award amounts, category limits and marketing plans were discussed in the meeting but specific new dollar caps by category were presented in staff materials and are not fully restated here.)
The council’s vote means the revised program can start soliciting applicants under the amended guidelines; staff will return with implementation steps and outreach plans as needed.
