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Economic development support and financial authorization for the appropriation of federal C.A.R.E.S. Act funds were topics of discussion in Marietta City Council's Finance Committee Monday.
Council members discussed a request to provide a resolution of support for Promanco, Inc. to develop a new business park on Ohio 7.
"We are looking to develop a new business park located behind the Hometown Honda building," explained Colby Ferraris, property manager for Promanco.
Ferraris explained that the property development concerns approximately 13 acres of land, which is under concept design to develop two 24,000-square foot buildings.
"We are not seeking any funding from the city or the county to help develop this," said Ferraris. "We are looking at applying for a rural industrial park loan … and we've been working with the folks at JobsOhio to get some of that funding."
Ferraris explained that a resolution of support has already been obtained from the Washington County Board of Commissioners and that the company is also seeking a resolution of support from the Marietta Township trustees.
None of the council members present for the discussion Monday at the Armory opposed asking for legislation to be drafted in support of the development, in its preliminary stages. Finance Chairman Mike Scales noted that the earliest the resolution may be introduced is at the regular business meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 3, rather than this week.
"This is how we initiate the first step to bringing more jobs?" asked Scales. "Personally I think it's a great idea and I have to say congratulations to Promanco for trying to develop in an otherwise hard time right now."
Other business:
The committee also moved forward to immediate legislation this week the funding appropriation that pairs with authorizations on Aug. 6 for emergency federal funding to pass through the city to local food pantries, Washington-Morgan Community Action and Buckeye Hills Regional Council for coronavirus-related assistance.
The committee also approved for legislation a change order to the aeration systems upgrade for the city wastewater treatment plant for $118,300, which will be covered within the city's existing loan from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency through the Ohio Water Development Authority.
The committee also agreed to allocate $1,500 toward new Chromebooks to replace iPads that have fulfilled their useful life, as determined by the city Information Technology Department.
Council next meets today, solely via Zoom and Facebook Live, to discuss in a joint Finance and Streets Committee meeting a $52,270 overage in this year's Safe Routes to School project estimate.
Council is then scheduled to meet for its regular business meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in room 10 of the Armory.
Janelle Patterson may be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.