AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY

Consider a Resolution in support of submitting an application for the Tourism Product Development Grant.    DDA Director Kenwin Hayes will address.  

The Tourism Product Development Grant (TPD) is being offered by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The TPD program is designed to financially support sustainable tourism development activities at the local level that: maintain and/or create jobs, attract tourists (visitors from outside of the community), and enhance the tourist’s experience. 

The City of Griffin, in partnership with the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society and Griffin Land Bank Authority, is leading a community coalition to repair the exterior of an unoccupied 1910 historic hospital building (Haisten's Building), with the goal of marketing the project to investors for a boutique hotel or a mixed development creative community.  We are seeking funding to assist with window restoration, which will complete phase one of the project: stabilizing the exterior of the historic structure.  This building is currently located at 522 Meriwether Street, Griffin, GA, directly across from the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society's headquarters and one block down from the Griffin Housing Authority's (GHA) Meriwether Homes $10 million housing redevelopment project. 

Approval of resolution to submit complete grant application by the June 30, 2015 deadline.

The maximum grant amount is $15,000 which must be matched 100% by applicant or may contain up to 40% in-kind services or materials. The match will be provided by a combination of sources managed by the Griffin-Spalding Historical Society.