The Dublin Economic Development Corporation spread its own holiday cheer by approving several grants at its recent meeting.
The EDC meeting was held Nov. 28 and a $7,500 grant was approved for Mack Stewart’s storage facility project on Sheehan Street.
A safety reimbursement for pedestrian rails on the northeast side of Blackjack for Charlie Bradberry was approved at a cost of $3,991.41. Paul Bradberry abstained from voting on this motion. The rails aid on the handicapped access on the sidewalk and make it easier for people to get up and down the incline, EDC Executive Director Penny Corona said.
“It makes a huge difference in safety,” she said.
A commercial building improvement grant in the amount of $7,500 was approved for the property owner of Hacienda Camino Real, the new Mexican food restaurant on Patrick Street. The money is to specifically reimburse the new signage and menus the business bought.
A $7,500 commercial building improvement grant was approved for Andermar Properties LLC for moving duct work and an AC unit for the heating and air conditioning work more efficiently in the Grafton Market space. It also helped pay for new double glass doors where Hound Town Grooming Spaw is located.
A $400 Community Improvement Grant was approved for Things Celtic, for a bagpiper providing entertainment for the community during the Christmas Season. Owner of Things Celtic, Lanora Davidson, who is also on the EDC board abstained from the motion.
The board also received a presentation from Place AI, a marketing program, via Zoom. “A lot of people utilize this program,” Corona explained. The program can tell the EDC where people come from and where they visit in town, providing a marketing tool for businesses.
The EDC tabled the agenda item until they could speak to other cities who utilize the program.
In Corona’s executive report, she mentioned that sales tax was up in September and that in January, the board will have board elections.