A slew of grants aimed at aiding local businesses were approved at the recently Dublin Economic Development Corporation meeting.
The Dublin EDC is funded through a portion of local sales tax which can then be given back to the community through grants and other methods.
A community improvement grant for the Dublin Historical Society for the Grist Mill was approved by the board at a cost of $1,645.93.
Board members Ben Pate and Sammy Moore abstained from the vote due to the connection to the Historical Society and being related to one another, and the vote passed 5-2.
A commercial building improvement grant was also approved for Keith and Bobbie Nichols Locked and Loaded located at 205 N. Patrick.
EDC Director Noah Cullis explained the Nichols had been to the EDC two months ago and received another grant, however, it was for another property they owned on Live Oak Street for the sidewalk, signage and a relocation of an air conditioning unit.
“They did such a great job on the sidewalk. I walked down it twice today,” Board member Lanora Davidson said.
“It has made a big difference in that part of town,” EDC Board President Paul Bradberry said about Locked and Loaded.
A $7,500 grant was approved.
A Commercial Building Improvement grant for Blanca Lopez with ‘All About You Beauty Salon and Spa’ was approved.
The reimbursement for the property is for the stem wall which holds the dirt around property and for the sign.
“Blanca has done a great job in getting this new business established and hiring on other people to work with her, and she has a loyal clientele,” Davidson said.
The $7,500 grant was approved.
A commercial building improvement grant was approved for Alvaro and Consuelo Gonzalez for ‘Studio G’ located at 113 E Blackjack Street.
Cullis explained the new business is set up as a photography studio with small classes and events also being held in the space.
The property improvements include work on the exterior of the building.
“They’ve put a lot of money and work into that building,” Davidson said.
Board members complimented the owners on their choice of door for the building.
The $7,500 grant was unanimously approved.
A commercial building improvement grant for business owner Rachel Maddry with ‘Wich Kids’ was considered and tabled.
The grant was being asked for in advance to help replace a window and exterior lighting. The board asked her to get the work done first and then seek reimbursement since they can only approve one grant per 911 address per calendar year.
“It’s a one per year deal. It would be better for her to back up,” Moore said.
The business owners decided to reapply later.
A commercial building improvement grant for John Chapman owner of Dublin Self-Storage was approved.
The work completed included replacing all of the doors on the storage unit.
The grant was approved for $7,500.
A commercial building improvement grant was approved for Shabzeb Altaf owner of Blaze City for signage for the new business at 326 S. Patrick Street.
The grant was given to Altaf in the amount of $3,900.
A commercial building improvement grant was approved for David Segit owner of ‘Down to Earth Tree Services’ located at 416 Liberty Street.
The project included major work to the property and the grant was approved for $7,500.
In old business, the board approved a grant for Hound Town Grooming Spaw owner Kynlee Dixon for the amount of $3,572.22.
The project was tabled at the Nov. 22, 2024 meeting because of a lack of the information.
“I think the question is does this qualify as far as the grant is concerned,” Bradberry said. “Does this fit the criteria of what we have offered?”
The board discussed the item further because of interior improvements.
“We’ve discussed if we reimburse items that are interior they have to significantly improve the building,” Davidson said. “I don’t think painting the break room necessarily qualifies.”
Board members ultimately decided it did qualify since the room was completely painted black and it would add a benefit to the new dog grooming spa that took over the building.
The board also discussed a commercial building improvement grant for ‘The Painted Main’ with the business owner Ashley Eberhart.
This item was discussed at the prior meeting and tabled because of questions regarding receipts.
Cullis explained the applicant was present at the meeting and had resubmitted the necessary documents.
The total project cost was $11,819.08 and she was requesting a reimbursement of materials and labor of $7,500.
Eberhart explained that the business was a salon and if she received the grant, she was planning to put the money back into the building.
“I plan on renting out spaces to bring in other stylists,” she said.
Davidson questioned why she did not have a sign and Eberhart explained one had been ordered but had not yet come in. She said in the future she wants to improve the outside of the building and put up a new awning.
The $7,500 grant was approved for ‘The Painted Mane.’