March 2024- Granville Economic Development- let's talk, let's learn!

Background:

• Years ago- my kids may not have even been in school- I served on a finance committee for the school district.  This was an important learning moment that set a path of volunteerism. The State of Ohio's funding model burdens communities like ours to bring in our own revenue. Property tax and more recently income tax, executed by levies, allow populations to decide funding levels. Tax levies are the key to the income source.  Joe and I have engaged with these operational levies- learning, challenging, promoting, and even leading.  It is a similar situation for libraries and many community-shaping, government/non-profit organizations.
• Seven years ago, I ran for the Granville Chamber of Commerce (GACC) Board.  I have learned so much about the small businesses that shape and define our daily lives and support the way we live. My work in philanthropy with the Works showcased larger organizations- like Park National Bank, First Federal, LMH, to name a few. GACC is a membership organization with over 200 entities strong, but most have under 10 employees. The GACC staff, volunteers, and members are key partners to our governments, one another, and the overall community. Remember the fun of 43023 day, the Candlelight Walking Tour, our May-Oct, and the Thanksgiving Farmer's Market? The GACC makes it, so The FM is one of the best anywhere and helps make us one of the best communities around! It is a place of commerce, economic development, and a key piece of tourism. Granville area businesses work hard for every transaction with our limited "feet on the street", GACC events and support play an important role in boosting business. There is so much more I could say about the GACC but will pause, let's talk!

• Because of the funding model for our schools and the level of commerce we support at this time, I accepted the role of co-chair of the Economic Development Committee.  I've shared bits and pieces on the blog and honestly should have done more- we still can and I'm ready to continue the conversations!
• During this time, I also furthered my education, providing a new understanding of how government, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations work together, and rely on one another. It shines brightly in our corner of the world, here on Newark-Granville Road!

Reflecting:

• Even before Intel and the growth came from the West, we've needed to find additional funding from the commercial sector to support the organizations we hold dear- libraries and schools that provide valuable education.  We can't ask property owners and individuals to keep paying higher and higher taxes to educate our children and run programs. Educating our children is fundamentally one of the most important things we can do and why Joe and I readily pay the taxes. 
• Therefore, the GACC, the Board, volunteers, members, elected officials, and staff are uniting to find a way to shape, react, prepare for the growth, and create an environment of healthy growth, energy, and funding to fuel the community we want.
• https://www.granville.oh.us/ccp  The Comprehensive Plan, in the works between our village and township is EXCELLENT. It is a shame it is paused due to one citizen's lawsuit. Please read it and let's talk!  Good work continues!
• How is this happening, what are the tools and strategies?
• JEDD- Joint Economic Development District, with an overlay- please read these articles: and ask questions!  JEDDs provide income for utilities and input on what is developed!
• https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/granville/2024/03/22/granville-twp-board-holds-off-on-zoning-district-vote-after-feedback/73020154007/
• https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/granville/2024/03/07/granville-township-proposes-zoning-district-to-shape-future-growth/72842628007/
  
• I wonder, do people understand how things are paid for? Roads, salt when it snows, teacher salaries, infrastructure, and staff for health and safety.  I didn't know these things early in my life. That school finance committee helped a great deal. I'm still learning and the past three years with the GACC have assisted!
• I wonder, do people understand how decisions are made, and governance created? People make decisions, our elected officials, staff that do research, and caring individuals that participate and serve- zoning committees?! Yes, with Joe's new role, we're learning even more!  Someone asked recently how his election has changed my life, my answer is he's now more dialed into my GACC/ Econ Development work- it is nice!

My Ask:

• Take time to think, understand, and not just react.  We all value our small-town life. We must work together not to preserve, the definition of preserve is maintaining something in its original state. If this were the case, we'd be a very small town with muddy roads and water from a spring! We need to grow and evolve in a healthy way to support our community of today.
• Please get involved, learn, and ask questions and hopefully, you'll join us in promoting positive Economic Development that includes the new JEDD, and the launch of a Community Improvement Corporation for Granville! There is so much more I will say and want to say about this.  I've spent two years weighing the approach- could our chamber take this on, how do they work together, and can our community afford it. I am excited about our community's journey.
• Evolution, professionalism, communication, and education, these are important components for our Granville- Village, Townships, School District, County and State

Life on Newark-Granville Road, we love it here. We value all those we engage with and know are behind the scenes, making it what it is. I look forward to our conversation about economic development in Granville!