Commission forwards Elizabeth Orton’s Kid at Heart Playland loan application to bank, contingent on Germantown address

The Village of Germantown Economic Development Commission voted unanimously to forward a business-loan application for Elizabeth Orton’s Kid at Heart Playland to the administering bank, with the contingency that funds be issued only after the business secures a Germantown address.

Orton told the commission she must relocate because her building sold and that she wants loan funds to expand a centerpiece 15‑foot play structure at a new site. “We have a 15 foot play structure that is the cornerstone of our business,” Orton said, noting the need for a facility with roughly 6,000–10,000 square feet and ceiling heights of about 14–15 feet.

Commissioners and chamber staff questioned Orton about timing and eligibility. Orton said her current lease runs through December, giving time to find a new site, but she described difficulty finding space with sufficient ceiling height and parking and criticized the village conditional‑use permit fee as a barrier: “For Germantown, to get that, the … it’s $1,500, which is almost double or triple what any other municipality is,” she said.

Members acknowledged the challenge and discussed the loan program’s rules. Commissioners noted the bank administers underwriting rules and that the commission’s role is to vet applications and recommend them to the bank. Chair Scott Heffley said the commission could support Orton while respecting bank requirements and suggested a conditional approval: “I would like you to stay in Germantown … that would be the direction that I would take with it,” he said.

Commissioner Melanie Smyth moved to forward Orton’s application to the bank with the condition that loan proceeds be disbursed only after a known Germantown address is secured. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.

The commission offered to assist Orton with property search contacts and to explore city processes (including whether fee waivers or other incentives could help). The item will proceed to the bank for underwriting; disbursement will depend on the applicant meeting the stated Germantown‑address contingency.