EDC approves resolution to develop $150,000 airport small-business grant program

EDC staff presented a draft resolution to establish a Terrell Airport small-business grant program intended to support entrepreneurship and development on airport property. Staff described eligible uses as lease reimbursement or construction reimbursement and said EDC staff and board would evaluate applications under program criteria.

Staff said the grant fund would be up to $150,000 and clarified that the figure was being discussed as a per-business award: "The grant is for, a $150,000," staff said during the discussion. Board members pressed for details about whether the award would be a single per-business grant or multiple awards and whether the program would prioritize aviation-related businesses; staff responded that the program is intended to support aviation-related enterprises on airport property managed by the city and FAA oversight.

Several board members recommended developing a formal recruitment and marketing plan before distributing many awards, arguing $150,000 per business would be more effective if paired with targeted outreach to the types of maintenance and service firms the airport manager described. The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the resolution authorizing development of the airport grant program; staff will return with final program rules and any budget allocations.