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July 16, 2020 <br /> <br />Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING CARES ACT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $81,885 <br />FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS AND APPROPRIATING SAID <br />AMOUNT INTO THE FY 2021 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE CITY REGISTRAR’S <br />OFFICE.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />20 - 182 - Adoption of a resolution certifying the City of Portsmouth’s support of an <br />application for a Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Port <br />Host Communities Grant in the amount of $500,000 in furtherance of the <br />development of 3599 Progress Avenue for port-related uses. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> Two years ago the Virginia General Assembly created the Port Host Communities <br />Revitalization Fund. <br /> <br /> Under the terms of the Fund, the five Port Host Communities (Portsmouth, Front <br />Royal, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond) are able to apply for grants from an annual <br />pool of $1,000,000. <br /> <br /> The grant money is to be used for the redevelopment of port-related properties to <br /> <br />further economic development and employment growth. <br /> <br /> Every year, the Economic Development Department solicits private entities to <br />submit projects for consideration for Port Host Communities funding, and the Portsmouth <br />Port and Industrial Commission selects which project should be submitted to DHCD for <br /> <br />possible grant funding. <br /> <br /> Last year, the Department and PPIC partnered with Industrial Realty Group and <br /> <br />received an award of $500,000 for the redevelopment of the former Cogentrix site. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> On June 23, 2020 PPIC adopted a resolution selecting a project submitted by <br />Thomas Industrial, LLC to apply for this year’s round of Port Host Communities funding. <br /> <br /> The project involves the performance of site work at 3599 Progress Avenue to <br />prepare the site for redevelopment. This would continue the revitalization of the former <br />BASF/Cogentrix corridor in West Norfolk. <br /> <br /> The application will seek a grant of $500,000 from DHCD. It is anticipated that <br />Thomas Industrial will expend $600,000 of its own funds to serve as the required match <br />for the grant and that the project will ultimately result in 50-100 new jobs. <br /> <br /> Neither PPIC nor the City will have any liability for the project or obligation to <br />commit any local funding to the project. <br /> <br /> The Resolution proposed for City Council consideration affirms Council’s support <br />for the project and is required in order for the Port Host Communities application to be <br />submitted. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> If the application is successful, the project would funded entirely by Commonwealth <br />of Virginia and private funding. No City or PPIC funds are required to be expended as a <br />match for the Port Host Communities grant. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the Resolution. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> <br /> The Resolution will be included in the Port Host Communities application package. <br /> <br />Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following <br />resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />