The Crossville city council approved
the funding of the $40,000 that they promised the Chamber of Commerce
last year with some caveats and oversight.
The chamber had brought the proposal to
both the city and the county seeking $40,000 each from both
governments contingent upon the raising of $120,000 of donations by
the chamber as match funds to create a $200,000 fund for economic
development following the release of the Horizon Initiative plan.
City council discusses and takes action on funding deal
Crossville mayor James Mayberry moved
to release the economic development funds following a report by
chamber president and CEO Brad Allamong that they had cash receipts
and commitments totaling $132,000. Councilman Pete Souza seconded
the motion.
Councilman Danny Wyatt commented that
he felt there should be an oversight committee appointed by private
donors and the city and county and he would not support it without
such a committee. Brad Allamong told the council that the chamber's
finance committee was made up of representatives including city
finance director Fred Houston as well as county finance director
Nathan Brock. In addition, Allamong explained that the donors would
be involved in selecting the consultants used for the studies
proposed as well.
Councilman Jesse Kerley added that
while the chamber says they have commitments for the full amount of
funds adding, “in my mind if this money's not in the bank, it's not
been raised yet.”
Councilwoman Pam Harris asked Allamong
when he thought the funds would be collected? Allamong said the
chamber had received $12,000 in checks that day and another large
contribution of $10,000 they are expecting as well as a few smaller
checks. “We've had 100 percent collections,” added Allamong.
Ms. Harris suggested that the motion be
amended to add an oversight committee and collection of the full
$120,000 to the original motion.
Mr. Souza said the council could make
the adjustments to the motion but said he felt it came down to, “Do
we want to support this program or do we not want to support it? I
think that what it boils down to.
Ms. Harris stressed, “I want to
support this program. My motion would be a compromise that might be
more agreeable to the full council. After some discussion, Ms.
Harris moved to amend the motion with the addition of the
contingencies of collecting the required $120,000 in the bank and
formation of an oversight committee. The motion to amend was
seconded by Mr. Souza.
The amendment was approved with 4 yes
votes. Mr Wyatt voted no saying “because it wasn't stipulated who
would appoint the oversight committee.” The vote to approve the
motion as amended was the same with 4 ayes and Mr. Wyatt opposed.
Brad Allamong of the Chamber reports to the council prior to the funding discussion.
Just before the action on the funding
release request, Mr. Allamong talked to the council about where the
Horizon Initiative stands and what the total $200,000 plus will be
used for. The plan includes a targeted industry analysis and
workforce strategies totaling $120,000, workforce development
programs at a cost of $10,000, funding for a basic economic
development office that includes a support person and and necessary
resources at $48,000 and a feasibility study for a multi-year
campaign at a cost of $25,000.
Allamong continued, “The campaign was
for some very specific things. We wanted a targeted industry
analysis that will give us a professional consultant's look at the
resources of Cumberland County, the land, the utilities, the
workforce, etc. What are those companies that are in the expansion
mode that we could attract and it's in their best interest to be
here.”
“Workforce development strategy was
another thing we want to do,” said Allamong. “Before we go out
and do a bunch of programs, which may well cure some of our workforce
ills. Tell us what the strategy is and then the programs follow.
The targeted industry with the workforce strategy will tell you that
you need to work on bringing these companies here.
In the morning before the council met, the chamber held a media announcement to talk about the Horizon program and funding as well as what they hoped to accomplish.
Chamber's full press conference on the Horizon fundraising program and
what the funds will be used for.
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