The Dublin Economic Development Corporation will soon have a new home as the board unanimously voted to move from their current downtown location to the newly opened Blackjack Office Center.
On Feb. 28, the board entered a discussion whether to remain in its current location or move, since their lease with Mark Ellis is up for renewal April 30 and requires a 60 day notice if they were vacating.
The discussion arose, not because of any difficulties with Ellis or the space, but simply because downtown has grown out of usable retail spaces and it is larger than what the EDC needs.
“This could make a really cool shop for someone and we are taking it up,” Secretary Sarah McCann said.
At the meeting, Ellis agreed to let the EDC retain their lease for $675 plus utilities, an amount that according to Executive Director Penny Corona amounts to approximately $1,320. The new lease at Blackjack Office Center, owned by Karen Wright, amounts to $1,250 and includes all utilities, providing high speed reliable internet. The board will also have use of the conference room as needed and for its monthly meetings.
“Bottom line: it opens up a retail space in downtown,” Corona said.
The EDC will be out of the space by May but is hopeful a new tenant will be found for the space before that. Anyone interested in the space can contact the EDC or Ellis.
The board all voted to move from the space other than Tom Gordon, who was absent from the meeting.
The board also took action on several grants including helping the Dublin Public Library fund participation in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
According to Library Director Adina Dunn, the program currently has 140 kids in the Dublin zipcode enrolled in it, with 325 who have graduated out of the program.
The free program mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income, once a month.
The board agreed to fund 70% of the library’s request, $2,700.
Ben Pate, a citizen, a member of the historical society and a library supporter, asked the board in public comments to consider funding the entire thing, or $3,400. The board agreed they wished they could fund the entire thing, because it is a worthy cause, but their grant specifications will only allow 70% coverage of the total cost.
The board will be reexamining its grants in the next several months to help clean up associated paperwork.
The board also approved two commercial building improvement grants: one for signage for Dr. Eddie Salyer at a cost of $1,722.75 and one for the sign at The Station, a community building owned by First National Bank for a cost of $5,000.
Two grants were tabled until clarification could be received on whether grants could aid churches. One was a $5,000 grant request for new signage at First Methodist Church and one was a $5,000 request for a new safety fence surrounding a new playground at a daycare center at First Baptist Church.
Soon grant recipients will get a beautiful new shamrock shaped sign to display in their yard or in front of their business after a new action from the board.
Board member Jeff Weaver came up with an idea to place metal shamrocks for approximately one month at those entities who receive a grant from the EDC.
Corona will be responsible for putting the signs out and picking them back up and the newspaper will take photos of the entities so the public can see its sales tax dollars at work.
The board also approved a new computer for Corona with up to date software utilizing new local business Repair Ware to get the computer and provide support.
The board is also trying to move ahead with providing support to the city to fix downtown sidewalks including the block in front of Blackjack Coffee and the block in front of Rusty Rose. Corona said she had good news that TxDOT would not require any state permits. A meeting between the EDC and the city was to take place soon to identify what they would do to help with the process. The next EDC meeting will be held Tuesday, May 30.