No movement by BRC toward Main Street liaison
August 16, 2022 at 8:59 p.m.
Most of the Aug. 15 Brookville Redevelopment Commission meeting was spent revisiting a request by Brookville Main Street – originally presented in July – for BRC to help fund an economic development/revitalization liaison position which would ultimately be responsible for working with other like-minded groups within the county.
Gage Pace, vice president of Brookville Main Street, and Lowell “Teen” McMillin, who helps in a fundraising capacity, returned to summarize last month's presentation and hopefully move the needle forward.
“We're at an unprecedented time in Brookville history … for momentum,” said Pace. “The good thing about momentum is, once you get it going, you can expand upon it and continue to create a bigger ball and do more.”
The problem, he went on to say, was there are currently 12 empty storefronts on the main strip that could be filled by viable businesses. This proposed position would create a main contact between interested parties and Main Street, with the goal of getting the “right people” into the buildings. The liaison would work with Ginnie Faller, business advisor with the Indiana Small Business Development Corporation's Southeast Indiana division, for positive leads, as well as the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
The ask remained $30,000 to be earmarked toward economic development, with the goal of filling the storefronts and “continuing the sustainability of Main Street into the future.”
McMillin summed up the financials surrounding this effort.
Town redevelopment has pledged $100,000 to Main Street's revolving loan fund held at Franklin County Community Foundation – half donated this year and the balance to be given by June 2023. This helps support the PreservINg Main Street program that saw $2 million injected into the Main Street economy.
Another $100,000 at a minimum – goal of $200,000 - is necessary to make Main Street self-sustaining. Both Brookville Foundation and FCCF pledged $25,000 as matching funds for donors' contributions. Around $34,000 of that sum is still available for matching, so an additional BRC donation would instantly double to $60,000 and leave Main Street with just under $5,000 to match up going forward. There is also about $44,000 in unmatched funds received.
Brooke Leffingwell, commission secretary, asked about intransigent owners on Main Street who aren't interested in renting or selling.
McMillin answered it may take a building acquisition and rehabilitation project to help wrest the buildings from such owners.
Member Darrel Flaspohler started a series of comments that, while not critical of the request, were nonetheless unfavorable toward it.
“We've given $100,000 toward Main Street and that's quite a bit of our budget,” he said. “I feel like (we) have more than just Main Street, we've got other projects. I hate to spread our money out too far.”
Leffingwell agreed, saying she's worried about putting another $30,000 in the kitty if there's not “a clear project we're putting it towards.”
Pace replied the clear plan involved Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) efforts along Main Street, so current businesses would be evaluated for their continuity along with new ventures. Shared goals with other entities in the community would also be considered.
Leffingwell asked how much a redevelopment commission typically gives to a Main Street group.
Pace gave an example of a larger city like Seymour donating $200,000. Some Main Street groups even receive up to 100% of their budget from redevelopment commissions.
President Todd Thackery asked about the normal sources of income for Brookville Main Street, to which Pace said it comes from various events, private donors and grants. Thackery also wanted to know what Main Street would look like should things come to fruition.
Pace answered Main Street would be more connected with outdoor recreation, leveraging assets like Brookville Lake and the Whitewater River and working alongside county tourism. One big goal would be getting upper-level housing on Main Street to grow the population.
From a Zoom connection, member Aaron Leffingwell said he agreed with Flaspohler.
“We've contributed quite a bit to Main Street already,” he said. “If we did agree (on more money), I'd like to see us withdrawing or drastically reducing our contribution to (econ development consultants) The Wheatley Group. We can't keep putting money out everywhere.”
Also from Zoom, member Chuck Campbell said, “we have spent a lot already and I don't think we should dry our coffers up.” He added that current Main Street businesses should chip in.
B. Leffingwell inquired whether Main Street's cash on hand is enough to fund the position for the first year and how the organization comes up with funding for its executive director.
Pace said the salary hasn't been finalized but someone would work on a short-term contract - $1,500 per month – until the end of the year. He added the director is currently paid through private donations.
McMillin then broached the idea of a lesser contribution, perhaps $15,000. Pace asked the board what the position would be worth to them, as to a donation.
Non-voting member Beth Foster spoke via Zoom.
“What we're all feeling right now, inflation's higher than high and everybody's trying to watch their money, as well as us,” she said. “I think we've missed this opportunity by about three months and it's (nobody's) fault. Maybe if things let loose a little bit.”
Thackery asked whether anyone wanted to propose a lower amount, but it was left with A. Leffingwell saying, “It's my opinion we can't fund everything.”
In other news, the Lawrenceburg Fund 4500 still sits at $76,231.21 and the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Fund 4445 is at $220,896.27.
Phase 2 of the south end storm sewer infrastructure project will require completed engineering estimates and grant opportunities are being sought for the estimated $500,000 needed.
Flaspohler said there's sidewalk subgrade settlement on the stretch of new sidewalk in front of Riverfront Apartments. He met with contractors to discuss this, but it's a “wait and see” situation.
An invoice for $600 to LWG CPAs and Advisors was approved for payment.
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Most of the Aug. 15 Brookville Redevelopment Commission meeting was spent revisiting a request by Brookville Main Street – originally presented in July – for BRC to help fund an economic development/revitalization liaison position which would ultimately be responsible for working with other like-minded groups within the county.
Gage Pace, vice president of Brookville Main Street, and Lowell “Teen” McMillin, who helps in a fundraising capacity, returned to summarize last month's presentation and hopefully move the needle forward.
“We're at an unprecedented time in Brookville history … for momentum,” said Pace. “The good thing about momentum is, once you get it going, you can expand upon it and continue to create a bigger ball and do more.”
The problem, he went on to say, was there are currently 12 empty storefronts on the main strip that could be filled by viable businesses. This proposed position would create a main contact between interested parties and Main Street, with the goal of getting the “right people” into the buildings. The liaison would work with Ginnie Faller, business advisor with the Indiana Small Business Development Corporation's Southeast Indiana division, for positive leads, as well as the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
The ask remained $30,000 to be earmarked toward economic development, with the goal of filling the storefronts and “continuing the sustainability of Main Street into the future.”
McMillin summed up the financials surrounding this effort.
Town redevelopment has pledged $100,000 to Main Street's revolving loan fund held at Franklin County Community Foundation – half donated this year and the balance to be given by June 2023. This helps support the PreservINg Main Street program that saw $2 million injected into the Main Street economy.
Another $100,000 at a minimum – goal of $200,000 - is necessary to make Main Street self-sustaining. Both Brookville Foundation and FCCF pledged $25,000 as matching funds for donors' contributions. Around $34,000 of that sum is still available for matching, so an additional BRC donation would instantly double to $60,000 and leave Main Street with just under $5,000 to match up going forward. There is also about $44,000 in unmatched funds received.
Brooke Leffingwell, commission secretary, asked about intransigent owners on Main Street who aren't interested in renting or selling.
McMillin answered it may take a building acquisition and rehabilitation project to help wrest the buildings from such owners.
Member Darrel Flaspohler started a series of comments that, while not critical of the request, were nonetheless unfavorable toward it.
“We've given $100,000 toward Main Street and that's quite a bit of our budget,” he said. “I feel like (we) have more than just Main Street, we've got other projects. I hate to spread our money out too far.”
Leffingwell agreed, saying she's worried about putting another $30,000 in the kitty if there's not “a clear project we're putting it towards.”
Pace replied the clear plan involved Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) efforts along Main Street, so current businesses would be evaluated for their continuity along with new ventures. Shared goals with other entities in the community would also be considered.
Leffingwell asked how much a redevelopment commission typically gives to a Main Street group.
Pace gave an example of a larger city like Seymour donating $200,000. Some Main Street groups even receive up to 100% of their budget from redevelopment commissions.
President Todd Thackery asked about the normal sources of income for Brookville Main Street, to which Pace said it comes from various events, private donors and grants. Thackery also wanted to know what Main Street would look like should things come to fruition.
Pace answered Main Street would be more connected with outdoor recreation, leveraging assets like Brookville Lake and the Whitewater River and working alongside county tourism. One big goal would be getting upper-level housing on Main Street to grow the population.
From a Zoom connection, member Aaron Leffingwell said he agreed with Flaspohler.
“We've contributed quite a bit to Main Street already,” he said. “If we did agree (on more money), I'd like to see us withdrawing or drastically reducing our contribution to (econ development consultants) The Wheatley Group. We can't keep putting money out everywhere.”
Also from Zoom, member Chuck Campbell said, “we have spent a lot already and I don't think we should dry our coffers up.” He added that current Main Street businesses should chip in.
B. Leffingwell inquired whether Main Street's cash on hand is enough to fund the position for the first year and how the organization comes up with funding for its executive director.
Pace said the salary hasn't been finalized but someone would work on a short-term contract - $1,500 per month – until the end of the year. He added the director is currently paid through private donations.
McMillin then broached the idea of a lesser contribution, perhaps $15,000. Pace asked the board what the position would be worth to them, as to a donation.
Non-voting member Beth Foster spoke via Zoom.
“What we're all feeling right now, inflation's higher than high and everybody's trying to watch their money, as well as us,” she said. “I think we've missed this opportunity by about three months and it's (nobody's) fault. Maybe if things let loose a little bit.”
Thackery asked whether anyone wanted to propose a lower amount, but it was left with A. Leffingwell saying, “It's my opinion we can't fund everything.”
In other news, the Lawrenceburg Fund 4500 still sits at $76,231.21 and the Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Fund 4445 is at $220,896.27.
Phase 2 of the south end storm sewer infrastructure project will require completed engineering estimates and grant opportunities are being sought for the estimated $500,000 needed.
Flaspohler said there's sidewalk subgrade settlement on the stretch of new sidewalk in front of Riverfront Apartments. He met with contractors to discuss this, but it's a “wait and see” situation.
An invoice for $600 to LWG CPAs and Advisors was approved for payment.