Franklin County approves $25 million non‑tax pledge to support NWSL team; commissioners secure $12M community benefit package

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted April 21 to adopt Resolution 258-26, clearing the way for a memorandum of understanding with Columbus Women's Soccer Holdings LLC to support improvements at Scott's Miracle-Gro Field and the construction of a training facility for a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise.

Commissioners approved the measure after a lengthy briefing and public comment. The county’s contribution is structured as a pledge of non‑tax revenues—fees and other county receipts—not property or sales taxes, paid through annual appropriations over a multiyear financing plan. County counsel and outside bond counsel said the deal includes clawbacks and protections to limit risks if private commitments or league conditions are not met. The MOU also references a roughly 25‑year expected tenure for the team in Franklin County.

Why it matters: the agreement pairs a $25 million maximum county commitment with an anticipated $12 million private donation to be directed to local programs. According to commissioners, the private funds will support early‑childhood initiatives and efforts to combat food insecurity; Commissioner Crowley described the split as roughly $6 million each. County presentations said the $12 million comes from the team ownership and is intended to benefit residents directly.

Details and safeguards EMTT Kelly of Frost Brown Todd, the county’s special counsel on financing, told the commission the structure mirrors earlier stadium financing in the region: the county will make annual appropriations from non‑tax receipts to the Confluence Community Authority, which will use those payments to support debt leveraged for the facilities. Kelly stressed the county will not pledge general‑obligation tax revenue: "we are not relying on the residents of Franklin County to pay this debt," he said, explaining the county’s obligation would be subject to the board’s annual appropriation.

Commissioner questions focused on how "non‑tax" revenues are defined and how the county will ensure measurable public benefits. Commissioners and county counsel said the development agreement to follow will spell out the clawbacks, performance benchmarks and the conditions under which county payments would stop.

Public reaction: supporters and critics Public commenters and stakeholders offered sharply divergent views. DJ Burns, a public speaker opposed to the subsidy, called such public investments "a scam," saying they funnel public money to private profit and urging the county to spend the funds directly on neighborhood needs: "For the last 30 years, the billionaire class has propagated this scam on municipalities," he said.

Supporters said the sponsorship will create economic activity and community benefits. Lisa Rush, a local small‑business owner and former college soccer player, said a women’s professional team would inspire young athletes and boost small business. Linda Logan of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission framed sports teams as "the front porch of a community," drawing visitors and supporting local businesses. Cassandra Dickerson Cyrunk, senior director of soccer growth strategy for U.S. Soccer, said an NWSL franchise would signal a commitment to women’s sports and complement Columbus’s existing soccer legacy.

Commissioner rationale and outcome Commissioner Crowley, who said she initially opposed the subsidy, described pushing to secure a community benefits agreement before offering support: "My support is not a blank check. I expect transparency, delivery on community benefit commitments, and a project that lives up to its promised economic impact," she said.

The board voted to adopt Resolution 258-26. Vote recorded in the hearing: Commissioner Cwley — yes; Commissioner Grady — yes; Commissioner Boyce — abstain. The resolution moves the MOU and its basic financing principles forward; a more detailed development agreement and administrative actions will follow and be subject to further approvals and annual appropriations by the board.

Next steps County attorneys said details of the development agreement, performance metrics, clawbacks and the schedule of payments will be negotiated after the MOU. Commissioners emphasized that county payments will be conditioned on private commitments and league actions and will require annual appropriation approval.

(Reporting based on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners general session, April 21, 2026.)