Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Edc Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves EDC budget with split for business retention and BE grant
Summary
Haven approved the EDC budget that reallocates business incentives so half funds business retention and half funds the BE grant; council supported coupon books, modest advertising and proposed mini‑grants to help local businesses.
The Haven City Council approved the EDC's 2027 budget after the EDC outlined a plan to split business incentive funds between business retention and the BE grant.
An EDC official explained the change: "We took the total amount that was in business incentives, the BE grant, and split it so that 0.5 went to business retention and 0.5 went to the BE grant." The EDC said the retention work will emphasize outreach, in‑person business visits and modest programs such as coupon books and targeted advertising rather than large bailouts.
Council members discussed using promotional funds for social media rather than traditional newspaper ads, and the EDC proposed community improvement mini‑grants of $250–$500 for landscaping, signage and outdoor seating. The EDC also said hospitality/meeting costs rose as more meetings moved back to in‑person and staff aimed to keep refreshments to about $100 per meeting.
A motion to adopt the EDC budget, including the adjusted promotional line and the split between retention and BE grant funds, was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
