Fillmore Council adds urgency item and unanimously authorizes application for USDA Rural Business Development Grant

The Fillmore City Council on June 9 voted unanimously to add an urgency item to the agenda and to adopt Resolution 26-4122 authorizing staff to apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant.

Angel Garcia, the city's senior management analyst, told council members the city learned on June 8 of a grant opportunity with an application deadline of June 30 and that the grant would support economic-development planning and feasibility work aligned with council goals. Garcia said the program requires an authorizing council resolution and noted there is no local match required, making it attractive for a small city.

Garcia said staff intends to use funds to support a feasibility study and to align grant-funded work with the City's stated economic goals. Council members asked about the intended request amount and were told staff had not yet finalized the application but would begin the process immediately upon approval.

By adopting the resolution, Fillmore preserves the ability to submit the application before the federal deadline. The motion to add the urgency item and the subsequent motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will prepare and submit the USDA application and return to council with the application details and any contract or acceptance documents if the city is awarded funds.