The Dublin Economic Development board met in regular session on February 22, 2022 (2/22/22). Unfortunately, they were unable to meet at 2:22:22, but the meeting did continue the trend of producing positive results for Dublin.
The Board Of Directors reviewed an Event Grant for the Titan Fitness/Shamrock Shuffle 5K and unanimously awarded the $500 grant to help with that event. The Board then reviewed the Residential Grant for Jo Ellyn Turner for the house at 141 W. Harris Street. Based on the extensive work done, the request for $3,000 was unanimously approved. The last grant approval for the evening was for Dilon Richey who had the old Dublin Dog Den building repainted so it could be leased out to a new tenant. The Board unanimously approved his request for $965.66.
Brad Stanford, the Executive Director, then brought two issues to the Board for their approval. The first was a request for $2,000 for sponsoring the Entrepreneurs of Erath Business Plan Competition currently being held by Tarleton’s School Of Business and the Tarleton Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The Board discussed the importance of not only participating as a sponsor, but showing our support to those from Dublin who entered. A motion was made to sponsor the competition for the amount of $2,000, and all were in favor.
Second, Mr. Stanford requested $450 for an authentic Celtic Music duo out of Lubbock to play on St. Patrick’s Celebration weekend on March 12th. Robin And Sandy Crawford, who go by the name The Celtic Beatnicks, play violin, guitar, and Irish percussion. A sample of their music was played at the meeting. Mr. Stanford brought this to the EDC because the Chamber of Commerce had already booked as many bands as their budget would allow. He thought it was important that the EDC show visible support for St. Patrick’s Day, and for there to be music all over town all day. The Board decided unanimously to bring the Celtic Beatnicks to town.
In his Executive Report, Mr. Stanford reported that the tax revenue was back up to year-over-year levels, after two months of being lower than previous years. December of 2021 showed a very slight increase of $51 over December 2020. He also reported that retail businesses were increasing in number and shopping for places to lease, and that the rate of property sales was increasing as well.