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ASPIRE Johnson County presents strategic-plan update; Franklin commission approves $30,000 contract for 2026
Summary
ASPIRE Johnson County outlined 2025 outreach metrics and a draft strategic plan focused on attraction, retention and workforce development. The commission approved a $30,000 contract with Aspire for 2026 and asked for monthly updates.
Amanda Rebedu, representing ASPIRE Johnson County, briefed the Redevelopment Commission on a draft strategic plan and recapped outreach work in 2025. Rebedu said Aspire executed roughly 2,800 outbound marketing touches, held about 61 meetings with brokers and site selectors, conducted four site visits and hosted 45 business retention and expansion visits last year. She reported three active projects in the pipeline and described the strategic emphasis on attraction, retention and workforce development, including school-to-work programming, upskilling and targeting subsectors such as life sciences (cGMP), manufacturing technology and automotive.
After the presentation staff confirmed contract terms and requested commission approval for Aspire's 2026 contract. The commission approved a total payment of $30,000 for Aspire in 2026 and requested monthly updates. The commission also addressed a Stone Municipal Group software contract separately, authorizing staff to proceed and scheduling a formal resolution for February.
Rebedu said the strategic-plan steering committee is refining timelines, KPIs and dashboard reporting; staff will return to the commission with updates once the plan is finalized.
