EDC consultant outlines phased Civic Center and emergency shelter plan, pushes smaller grants including $50,000 T‑Mobile bid

Britney McCoy of McCoy Consulting presented the Economic Development Corporation with a phased plan on Monday that would place a multipurpose Civic Center and a retrofit emergency shelter on a city‑owned lot next to the library.

"We submitted the T‑Mobile Hometown grant for $50,000 for green‑space and community gathering improvements at the Civic Center site," McCoy said, and advised the board to pursue smaller, achievable funding awards rather than large federal grants that require local matching funds.

Nut graf: The proposal reframes a multiyear, multimillion‑dollar project into smaller phases so the newly formed nonprofit EDC can apply for grants and build momentum. Staff and the consultant said this approach increases the chances of winning funds because several federal opportunities they previously considered required local matching that the city could not provide.

McCoy said the team identified the preferred site — a larger plot adjacent to the library — and has mock‑up renderings and preliminary budgets. She described a two‑part concept: a green public gathering space and a community center that would include an emergency shelter area with reinforced structure and nearby handicapped parking.

"It's a multiyear project, but pursuing smaller grants lets us make incremental progress — trail segments, lighting, and ADA‑compliant gathering spaces that T‑Mobile and other funders like to support," McCoy said. She discussed modular energy solutions tied to battery storage and solar options that could reduce the need for extensive line extensions.

The board discussed procurement and cost‑estimation steps. City staff noted an RFQ is in place for architecture and master planning services that would allow the city to issue task orders to obtain high‑level cost estimates before committing to full design work.

McCoy reviewed other funding opportunities under active consideration, including USDA programs, the SBA Growth Accelerator competition, a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation application to fund solar lighting, and local‑foundation grants. She also explained that the EDA federal grants previously considered would have required a local match and therefore were not viable at this time.

Board members asked about next steps: obtaining an EIN and SAM.gov registration so the EDC can apply for federal funds later, and formalizing cost estimates and letters of support. City liaison Eric Zeno and council liaison Norma Owen offered to help route materials to council and to provide staff support on task orders and contractor contacts.

Ending: The board asked McCoy to circulate updated renderings and the consultant’s grant list to members; staff will coordinate the RFQ task orders and information needed to pursue phased grant applications and in‑kind contributions.