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Regular Agenda Item 4. A.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	11/05/2019
Submitted For:	Aimee Staten	Submitted By:	Maryn Belling, Budget Manager
Department:	Finance
Fiscal Year:	2020	Budgeted?:	Yes
Contract Dates Begin & End:	Through 5/30/2020	Grant?:	Yes
Matching Requirement?:	Yes	Fund?:	New

Information

Request/Subject

Approval for the submittal of 2 grant applications to the Freeport-McMoRan (FMI) Foundation for the following projects - In CO+HOOTS: The Globe+Miami Co-Workspace & Incubator, and Globe+Miami Co-Workspace Tools for Women Entrepreneurs; and submittal of a grant application to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive technical assistance for these projects through USDA's Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI) Initiative Grant. Approval is also being requested for the Board to accept a grant award from the FMI Foundation in the amount of $150,000 and a REDI Initiative Grant from the USDA for technical assistance for the development of the Globe+Miami Co-Workspace & Incubator at the Michaelson Building owned by Gila County.

Background Information

In collaboration with City of Globe Economic Development Director Linda Oddonetto, Gila County Manager James Menlove, and Gila County Grant Administrator Aimee Staten, a request is being made to the Gila County Board of Supervisors for approval of the prior submittal of three grant applications, and subsequent acceptance of two grant awards.

In order to apply for grant funding, Gila County was required to be the grant applicant because the County owns the property known as the Michaelson Building located 157 N. Broad Street, Globe. The application process occurred over the last 6+ months and it was decided to present all three grant applications to the Board at one time to provide a concise report regarding all activities surrounding the endeavor to utilize the Michaelson Building for the Globe+Miami Co-Workspace & Incubator project. To date, Gila County has been awarded two of the three grant requests. Grant funding will be used to transform the Michaelson Building into a business incubator for the economic diversification and strength of local entrepreneurs across the entire region. The City of Globe will be overseeing the development of the Globe+Miami Co-Workspace & Incubator and ongoing administration of this project. Gila County, FMI and Eastern Arizona College will also be collaborating with the City of Globe for the future success of this endeavor.

The information pertaining to each grant application is as follows:

1) The In CO+HOOTS: The Globe+Miami Co-Workspace & Incubator Grant Application was submitted to the FMI Foundation requesting $150,000. The FMI Foundation agreed to award a grant to Gila County with the understanding that the County would provide an in-kind match of $150,000. The funds will be used for the remodel of the Michaelson Building and other supplies and equipment for training purposes.

The REDI Initiative Grant Application was submitted to the USDA requesting technical assistance to support planning for the Globe+Miami Co-Workspace & Incubator and Downtown Visitor’s Center that will act as a business incubator for the area. The receipt of $150,000 of grant funding from the FMI Foundation made it possible to apply for this grant. On May 23, 2019, the County received a letter from the USDA of the grant award. In collaboration with USDA Rural Development, McClure Engineering will be providing technical assistance for this project.

The Globe+Miami Co-Workspace Tools for Women Entrepreneurs Grant Application was submitted to the FMI Foundation for funding in the amount $12,991 through FMI's Women's Development Initiative. To date, Gila County has not been notified if this grant request has been approved.

Evaluation

By preparing the grant applications for all three attributes of the Globe+Miami Co-Workspace & Incubator, Gila County strengthens its constituents' capacity for entrepreneurial success while re-purposing a facility to revitalize the downtown Globe area.

Conclusion

The Globe+Miami Co-Workspace Tools for Women Entrepreneurs, In CO+Hoots, and the USDA REDI Grants are good investments of the County's staff time and community partnership.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Gila County Board of Supervisors approve the submittal of these three grant applications as attached and subsequent award of two grants. Staff will report to the Board about the success of the project in January 2020, and again in May 2020.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to approve submittal of a grant application and acceptance of a grant award from: 1) the Freeport McMoRan (FMI) Foundation in the amount of $150,000 and 2) the United States Department of Agriculture to provide technical assistance through its Rural Economic Development Innovation Initiative; and approve the submittal of a grant application to the FMI Foundation in the amount of $12,991 all of which pertain to a collaborative effort between Gila County and the City of Globe to develop the Globe+Miami Co-Workspace Incubator business project at the Michaelson Building in Globe. (Maryn Belling)

Attachments
Co-Workspace Tools for Women Entrepreneurs Grant Application
FMI Grant Application
USDA REDI Initiative Grant Application
FMI Grant Award
REDI Grant Award