The Franklin Town Council has approved a grant program meant to help businesses with infrastructure needs that would in turn retain or create new jobs.
“Hopefully it will show a good return on investment for the folks here in town, because what we do has to be for public purpose,” Mayor Jack Horton said at the Oct. 6 Town Council meeting.
The grant requires a 50/50 match and is available in amounts up to $15,000. Grants would be available to assist with planning and material costs to complete permanent infrastructure improvements such as construction, upgrade, extension or repair of water or sewer lines. Businesses would be reimbursed up to $15,000 after the project is complete and could also qualify for the reimbursement of permitting fees up to $500.
“These are going to be infrastructure projects, not just because, ‘Hey I’ve got a leaking pipe out here, and I think the town needs to help me fix it,’” said Town Manager Amie Owens. “It has to be linked directly to some economic development component.”
Council member David Culpepper said he is more comfortable with the changes that had been made since it was talked about at last month’s meeting and making it available to everyone. When the idea was initially proposed, it was called an industrial infrastructure incentive, and there was some question about defining “industrial” and if smaller businesses could apply for the grant.
“I’m still not sure how I feel about it, because I’m fairly against corporate welfare projects, but this is not exclusively for corporations,” said Culpepper. “It’s definitely better than it was last meeting,” he said.
Council member Rita Salain said, “I definitely see this as a business retention opportunity and meeting a need for – recruitment of business is one thing, but retention is a lot easier a lot of times if we’re willing to help.”
Horton said it might also be an incentive to partner with the county on some of its economic development projects. “There’s always the possibility that the county may want to work with us on making more of this available to those who would need it.”
There was a question about how often businesses could apply and Owens said it would be similar to the town’s design grants with businesses allowed to apply once every 10 years if it is for a grant of $15,000.
Owens said the policy does not specify how many jobs, types of jobs or pay range. “We made it a little bit subjective so that when it does come before the Town Council, you can ask those types of questions and be able to make those decisions as to whether or not you feel like it is a good investment of the taxpayer money.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the grant opportunities can contact Town Hall at 524-2516. Owens said the policy will be posted on the town’s new website when it is completed.
The town budgeted $60,000 for incentive grants this year and to date has spent about $6,000. Owens said at this time they did not need to add any additional funds to the budget for the incentive grants. In August the council approved $3,385.50 in a matching grant for Kitchen Sink to install a new awning. On Monday night they approved a reimbursement of $2,668.75 for a façade grant for Renee’s Cake Shoppe. That grant will be used for a new awning on the Stewart Street side of the building. The new awning will also address drainage issues as it will be wider than the current one and help route water away from the basement.
Proposed Main Street redesign
Related to downtown redevelopment, the council reviewed a draft of a Request for Proposals addressing the redesign of Main Street. The purpose of the redesign is to make the corridor “more appealing to bicycle and pedestrian users.” The plan would address improved parking and sidewalks, landscaping and “traffic calming” mitigation such as a road diet or lane reductions.
The design area would cover East Main Street from the intersection of Depot Street through to the west intersection of Porter Street, and down to the Jones house (behind Ace Hardware). It would also incorporate “back street,” which would be Palmer Street from Porter to Depot Street. The redesign process would include public input sessions.
The council is considering any changes prior to the Department of Transportation paving Main Street, which is scheduled for 2028. No action was taken on the RFP and the council members were asked to give the town manager input to bring back to the board.
Next meeting
The next Franklin Town Council meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. in the board room on the lower level of Town Hall. The Franklin municipal election is Tuesday, Nov. 4 with early voting starting Oct. 16.