Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Empower Eastpointe board outlines down-payment assistance, $103,500 budget
Summary
The Eastpointe Business & Industrial Development Authority—rebranding as Empower Eastpointe—presented a $103,500 fiscal plan including a $50,000 seed for a city-employee down-payment assistance program, $30,000 for legal counsel and $12,000 for a new website. Board leaders said they will seek partners to expand the program and return to council with details within 30 days.
Chairman Stacy Johnson and Vice Chair Helen Nicole Ransom of the Eastpointe Business and Industrial Development Authority presented the authority’s 2026 budget proposal and a rebranding plan on March 9.
Johnson said the authority is rebranding as “Empower Eastpointe” and outlined core expenditures: legal counsel (~$30,000); a down-payment assistance seed fund of $50,000 set aside to provide $5,000 grants to up to 10 city employees who buy homes inside East Point; website creation and maintenance estimated at $12,000; a $10,000 annual retreat for board training and cross-board education; and $1,500 for miscellaneous supplies, totaling roughly $103,500.
“For the down-payment assistance program, we’ve awarded two grants so far and are taking applications,” Johnson said. He added the authority seeded the fund from its bank account and will seek corporate and individual partners to grow it.
Vice Chair Helen Nicole Ransom said the new website, launched roughly a month ago, offers a single place for development information, strategic-plan highlights and demographics aimed at potential businesses. “The platform will continue to evolve as we roll out new initiatives,” she said, adding the site explains the authority’s role and how it can support development with bonds and potential tax incentives.
Council members asked about governance, outreach and program mechanics. Councilmember Hemming asked where the Empower brand fits with other civic entities; Johnson clarified EBIDA’s jurisdiction versus the Downtown Development Authority and said the authorities will coordinate. Councilmember Atkins raised whether seed funds are being invested to produce income; Johnson said the authority has meetings scheduled with financial institutions and is pursuing bond financing opportunities. Councilmember Caldwell asked whether the authority would return to council with recommendations; Johnson said the board expects to return within 30 days with proposals the council could act on.
Council members expressed support for the rebrand and for initiatives aimed at homeownership and local business attraction. The board did not request immediate council action beyond follow-up briefings.
