Jenks EDA considers expanding commercial kitchen grants, a hybrid grant to cover fire‑suppression costs

Jenks Economic Development Authority members on June 23 discussed expanding the authority’s commercial kitchen grant program or creating a hybrid grant that would also cover fire‑suppression and other safety upgrades for older downtown buildings.

Mr. Shrout reviewed the program’s history, saying the authority initially approved three pilot kitchen grants, later approved two more, and now has five kitchen grants outstanding and five approved applications. He proposed adding two additional kitchen grants to bring the total to seven or, alternatively, developing a hybrid kitchen/safety incentive to help make projects feasible in older Main Street buildings.

"I would recommend either adding two more or directing staff to create some sort of hybrid kitchen grant — fire suppression slash safety incentive," Mr. Shrout said.

Members praised the program’s track record of increasing downtown activity. Brown said the kitchen grants and potential fire‑suppression investments address public‑safety risks posed by older wooden buildings and argued the equipment installed by previous grantees has tended to remain in place. "It will more ensure we won't have a Eufaula or a Waco occur where literally the entire block burns before the fire can even get out the door," Brown said, urging attention to fire suppression as part of any incentive.

Short described downtown progress and said public incentives have helped bring kitchens to older buildings. Other members asked staff to consider incentives for long‑established businesses as well as new entrants and to evaluate how any program changes would apply across city commercial corridors.

Chair Box closed the discussion and requested staff return with a formalized proposal or multiple options for authority consideration at a future meeting.