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Hebron officials outline plan to form Community Improvement Corporation to spur development
Summary
Village attorney and staff described a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) as a nonprofit vehicle for economic development, noted examples in Licking County, and said legislation and modest seed funding (estimated about $5,000) will be needed to establish it.
Village attorney Pete Griggs and Economic & Community Development Director Brittany Misner told Hebron council committees that the village will pursue a Community Improvement Corporation, a nonprofit entity commonly used to support local revitalization and development.
Griggs said a CIC is separate from the village but works as an extension of local government to foster economic development through revitalization efforts, grants, sign programs and beautification projects. "A CIC is a not-for-profit organization that is designed to foster economic development and enhance the quality of the village through revitalization efforts, grants, sign programs, beautification projects, etc.," he said.
Misner said the CIC is included in the village's comprehensive plan and would give staff a tool to respond strategically to development opportunities. She cited Grow Licking County and Newark Development Partners as local examples where CIC-style organizations supported downtown and arcade revitalization.
Chief Fiscal Officer Deborah Morgan estimated start-up costs at roughly $5,000, covering items such as auditing and insurance. Griggs said the village will need to pass enabling legislation, file articles of incorporation for the CIC, and later adopt an ordinance designating the CIC as the village's economic development arm. Council would control initial funding and the CIC board would adopt rules for governance consistent with state law.
Council members and the mayor framed the proposal as a way to build capacity as Hebron grows; Misner said the village would initially pursue low-maintenance projects with the expectation of measurable impacts in one to five years. No formal legislation was adopted at the meeting; staff said draft ordinances and follow-up steps will be prepared for a future council agenda.
