ACIDA Director’s Report
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By Carol Ervin, Atoka City Industrial Development Authority Director
We are making progress in our growth strategies.
Housing
6th Street Land:
We have received the completed Topography Survey and Geotechnical Report for the property. ACIDA will be compiling the Request For Proposal (RFP) and posting it on our website and social media.
We will also send the RFP to developers that have previously requested the information.
The goal is to increase our mid-management workforce housing. Atoka has several options for low-income and upper-income housing.
Currently, there is an extreme housing shortage for middle management employees. These homes will not be low income based.
Jobs
We are one step closer to the next industry coming into Atoka. This industry should break ground by the end of 2020 or the first quarter of 2021.
Other industries have expanded and are recovering amidst the Covid related issues.
This year has been challenging for many of our established industries. ACIDA is working diligently with established industries and businesses regarding marketing and the new micro-grant process.
Our success lies in not only recruiting new industries and jobs but also helping our established businesses thrive. One way is to help with marketing.
ACIDA will help with co-op advertising dollars. We also have a newsletter or email blast available to our industries. You provide your email list, and we will work with you to develop an advertising campaign.
Micro-grants
We have met with several business owners regarding the new micro-grants that the ACIDA Board approved. On July 20th, the ACIDA board approved ten micro-grants of up to $5,000 with a minimum of a 50% private match.
The Board also stated that they would be receptive to additional grants if this program proved useful to established businesses. This grant program is to help with building facade improvements.
This program will be useful in helping us put our best foot forward when businesses and industries come to Atoka for site visits.
Presentations and Site Visits
ACIDA had two major presentations this past month. Each took many days to prepare, and both were very successful. There will be additional information on these projects at a later date.