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Council discusses downtown refresh grants and aiding Mac Ice House events
Summary
Council heard updates on downtown-refresh grant applications (AARP Community Challenge, T-Mobile Hometown, state grants) and discussed supporting the Mac Ice House Saturday concert series, with a possible town contribution of about $3,000 from hotel/motel funds to cover a funding shortfall.
Speakers updated the council on multiple downtown and tourism-focused grant opportunities and a request for short-term support for the Mac Ice House Saturday concert series. Presenter (speaker 5) said grants have been submitted to state and private programs, including the West Virginia Trust Foundation, the AARP Community Challenge and T-Mobile Hometown; the work would include historic lamppost plantings and new seating in the downtown business corridor.
Chair and other members discussed a shortfall at the Mac Ice House, which manages the Saturday concert series and had its funding cut by over 50% last year; the meeting noted the series can attract 700–800 people per event and is a key economic driver for downtown businesses. The council suggested the Mac Ice House put together a funding packet and brought it to the finance committee; one council member estimated the concert series needs about $3,000 and said the hotel/motel surplus could be tapped for assistance.
"They're spending their money. They're shopping. They're going to dinner," Chair (speaker 2) said of concert attendees, describing the economic benefit to the town. Council agreed to ask the Mac Ice House to prepare a request package for the finance committee and to consider allocating hotel/motel surplus funds to cover the shortfall.
