The Clinton County Industrial Development Authority met at noon last Thursday, August 8 with six of seven members present, and among other business, voted to lease the front Chamber of Commerce portion of the IDA-Welcome Center to be used in conjunction with the Healthy Hometown Coalition program, which was funded by an initial grant earlier this year.

By leasing the chamber office, as well as allowing the group use of the conference room, equipment, and foyer area, it will serve as a dual purpose, allowing the HHC program to have office space and also open up the chamber office once again for its intended purpose, including being open to assist tourists, etc. who need information.

April Speck, who will coordinate the Healthy Hometown Coalition program, was to begin working in the chamber office late last week or early this week.

Board member Keith McWhorter told the board that the first year for the HHC is a planning year, with the grant extension to grow in amounts funded if approved after the first year.

The grant calls for a community 50/50 match of funds or in-kind services and it was noted that although Speck is a school district employee, she would also be doing Chamber of Commerce work during the daytime hours at the Welcome Center.

McWhorter noted that Paula Little, Supervisor of Instruction for the school district, wrote the grant application for the Healthy Hometown Coalition project and said Clinton County was the only rural county in the state to be funded.

Following some discussion, McWhorter made the motion to lease the aforementioned areas to the Healthy Hometown Coalition to be used along with chamber work, with an option to renew on an annual basis. The motion passed by unanimous vote.

The board then entered into an approximate 15-minute closed session on personnel, with no action being taken in the closed portion of the meeting.

Upon returning to open session, McWhorter made a motion to give IDA Administrator Charlette Koger a three percent cost-of-living increase, with the motion passing by unanimous vote.

Also during last week’s meeting, the IDA approved minutes of its June meeting; voted to pay claims and bills; and approved the IDA expenditure reports, all on unanimous votes.

The next regular meeting of the Industrial Development Authority is scheduled for Thursday, October 10 at 11 a.m. at the IDA-Welcome Center and is open to the public.