Georgetown committee recommends $30,000 split grant to help Ernie’s Ice Cream open

The Georgetown Business/TIF Committee on June 2 recommended that City Council provide up to $30,000 in assistance to support the planned opening of Ernie’s Ice Cream in the Bob’s Pumphouse building. Chairman Nick Krabel recorded the committee’s decision in the meeting minutes and asked that the council consider $15,000 now toward a new roof and $15,000 later toward HVAC once the business is ready for that work.

The recommendation stems from a briefing that described extensive repairs and equipment needs at the Bob’s Pumphouse building, including ice-cream equipment, a new roof, and new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Committee members discussed a previously considered option for a five-year forgivable loan that would forgive roughly $6,000 per year while the shop remained open, but the group settled on the two-part assistance plan to target immediate roof work and later climate-control upgrades.

Mayor Darin Readnour told the committee he would pursue an appraisal of the Family Dollar strip mall and that a prospective buyer would inspect that property on Saturday. The mayor also suggested contributing to a new furnace and air conditioner as part of the support for Ernie’s. Committee members said they want to ensure the business will in fact open before releasing the second $15,000 payment for HVAC.

The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full City Council for consideration; minutes record the decision as the committee’s recommendation rather than an enacted city appropriation. The meeting adjourned after a motion by Alder Nick Krabel, seconded by Alder Jack Morrison; the adjournment motion passed unanimously, recorded as 3–0, and the meeting ended at 6:36 p.m.