Fees collected from companies granted tax abatements will fund two upcoming community development projects in Franklin.
Using the $23,327 in economic development fees collected so far in 2021, the Franklin Economic Development Commission awarded a $14,827 grant to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, and a $8,500 grant to Discover Downtown Franklin.
Companies receiving an abatement pay either 2% or 5% of their annual abated tax total to the economic development commission as part of their agreement. That money is disbursed each year to nonprofits seeking project funding that will benefit city residents.
This year’s two recipients were the only applications received. The applications totaled $898 more than the EDC had to give, so the commission fully funded Discover Downtown’s request, and gave the remaining balance of the available grant dollars to the Franklin Chamber.
Discover Downtown’s grant will partially fund an artistic but functional bike rack to be placed near the amphitheater under construction in downtown Franklin. The bike rack will be a series of hands situated to spell out “Franklin” in American Sign Language.
Jess Giles, Discover Downtown’s executive director, came across the idea when researching public art projects in her role on Franklin’s Public Art Advisory Commission. There is a similar rack on display in Frederick, Md. that has helped bring more awareness to the deaf community, she said.
The bike rack will cost $18,000 and be manufactured by Mad Rax, a Wisconsin-based specialty bike rack company, Giles said.
Other grants are hoped to supply the rest of the money for the rack, or Giles may reapply through the commission for more money next year, as the bike rack is not planned to be installed until after the trail through Youngs Creek Park is completed next year, she said.
The bike rack is a functional public art piece that is the first of several to be placed along the trail at Youngs Creek Park. The art commission is planning to create something like a sculpture garden on the greenscape along the trail, Giles said.
The Franklin Chamber’s grant will develop and market an all-inclusive events website aimed to bring all of the events and meetings in the city together with options to filter by interest. The calendar will bring together events and festivals from the city government, Franklin Community Schools, Franklin College, churches and businesses into one convenient place, according to the application.
The event website will be built this fall and launch with the chamber’s new website in January 2022, said Rosie Chambers, executive director. The calendar is hoped to showcase all that Franklin has to offer and bring residents together, she said.
The grant will also fund staff training on the website, and additional pay for the staff member who will take on updating the calendar, the application says.
