DBA Meeting Notes | February 12, 2024

HCD Update

• Heritage Ohio DART Assessment: March 5-6
  • Stakeholders' Informational Meeting: February 27, 8:30 AM, Ths. Jitterz Coffee Company, 23 N Detroit St, Kenton
• Business Hours Update: A sheet was passed around to allow attendees to provide updated hours of operation for their businesses.

City of Kenton Updates

• Construction Update: Burl Helton, City of Kenton Project Manager
  • Construction/excavation will begin in March.
  • They will try to maintain traffic as much as possible during the project.
  • They will begin on Main Street at Ohio Street and work their way up to Carroll Street.
  • As the project progresses, businesses will be notified as to when construction is expected to reach their block.
  • Communication during the project will be a high priority.  Please reach out to the City if you have questions.
• Mayor's Update: Lynn Webb, City of Kenton Mayor
  • Seven members of Kenton Fire Department are working to complete Fire/Building Inspection Training.  This will better enable the department to provide inspection services related to building safety.
    • A question was asked about fire suppression options, requirements, and sprinklers.  A future speaker on this topic will try to be scheduled.

Business Updates

• Cindy Murray: Asked that those at the meeting encourage others to get involved in the DART Assessment.  She said that involvement will be important to move the entire downtown forward.
• Doris Blum: Shared that they have had issues with pests in the upstairs of the Genealogy building, possible travelling from neighboring buildings.  Contact information on pest control was shared.
• Other Discussion:
  • Possible incentives for the HCD area, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) were discussed.
  • Total Solar Eclipse on April 8: Possible impacts and what to expect were discussed.  Guidance from the State suggests that it will be very difficult to predict the number of visitors that Hardin County may expect.  Holli Underwood shared that a whitepaper on other recent eclipse events stated that a) Many of the visitors will likely be guests of residents, and b) The most attractive viewing locations are rural because of the lack of street lights/security lights and access to open skies.  The Hardin County Tourism Office estimates that most people will want to be at their viewing location around noon, and may stay until about 5:00 PM.

Next Meeting

• Monday, March 11, 11:00 AM, Forbing Community Centre
  • Toledo Port Authority
  • Small Business Development Center (SBA) at Rhodes State College