Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation seeks to authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklinton Board of Trade in an amount up to $25,000.00 for the Small Business Capacity-Building Micro Grants Program. Funding will be advanced to the agency on a predetermined schedule.
Franklinton Board of Trade has been a long-time partner with the Department of Development in administering the city’s Franklinton NCR program. The Small Business Micro Grant Support Fund is a pilot grant program to support small businesses with interior and exterior improvements, or to purchase equipment essential to small businesses within the Franklinton boundaries. The program is designed to target businesses within the Franklinton boundaries, providing support that will further them on the path to elevating their business to the next level. The maximum grant to small businesses for this micro-grant pilot program shall be $5,000.00.
Further, this legislation seeks to declare an emergency to ensure that there are no delays to the program.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funding of $25,000.00 is available within the 2025 General Fund Budget, contingent upon the passage Ordinance 3228-2025 for the third quarter financial review transfer.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE: Franklinton Board of Trade’s vendor number is 004773 and expires on 01/14/2027.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a grant agreement with Franklinton Board of Trade in an amount up to $25,000.00; to authorize the transfer and expenditure of $25,000.00 from the General Fund; to allow for advancement of grant funds on a predetermined schedule; and to declare an emergency. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Development seeks to enter into a grant agreement with the Franklinton Board of Trade in an amount up to $25,000.00 for the Small Business Capacity-Building Micro Grants Program; and
WHEREAS, Franklinton Board of Trade has been a long-time partner with the Department of Development in administering the city’s Franklinton NCR program; and
WHEREAS, the Small Capacity-Building Business Micro Grants Program is a pilot grant program to support small businesses with interior and exterior improvements, or to purchase equipment essential to small businesses within the Franklinton boundaries; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the transfer and expenditure up to $25,000.00 from the General Fund; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance is contingent on passage of Ordinance 3228-2025, which authorizes a transfer within the General Fund, reflective of the 2025 third quarter financial review; and
WHEREAS, funding will be advanced to the agency on a predetermined schedule; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Development, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into this grant agreement in a timely and effective manner, to ensure that there are no delays to the program and support for small businesses for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, peace, and property; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Franklinton Board of Trade in an amount up to $25,000.00 to support the Small Business Capacity-Building Micro Grants Program and to advance payment of grant funds per a predetermined schedule to be included in the agreement.
SECTION 2. That for the purpose as stated in Section 1, the transfer of $25,000.00 within Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development Division), object class 03 (Services) to object class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $25,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 (General Fund), Dept-Div 44-02 (Economic Development), in object class 05 (Other) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this grant agreement is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code related to awarding grant agreements.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.