The Ottawa City Commission voted to cease funding to the Franklin County Development Council at their meeting last week. This analysis argues that if the City of Ottawa took on in-house the economic development duties currently performed by FCDC, there would be considerable savings, about half the cost of the current funding agreement with FCDC. The next hour was a debate which led to the final decision which included a motion by Commissioner Caylor, seconded by Commissioner Clayton, to use the allocated economic development funding for in-house purposes and to cease funding FCDC. This motion received three of the five votes needed to pass.
Ottawa Area of Commerce Director, Ryland Miller, says there are further details to sort out regarding how these duties will be divided among existing city employees. He says he will make sure the Chamber plays a role in communicating to the business community across the county.
From FCDC’s perspective, the city’s portion of funding represents roughly 1/3 of its annual budget. Miller says this loss of revenue will put pressure on leadership to devise a plan moving forward, as this year comes to an end.
