Etna panel backs formation of own CIC

• Etna Township's economic development panel has backed forming a CIC.
• The non-profit could promote development, apply for grants and potentially create parks.
• The Licking County Chamber of Commerce already has a CIC, but there are tensions between the two.

ETNA – The township's economic development panel is recommending that the township form its own Community Improvement Corporation, or CIC.

The panel made the recommendation during its Jan. 9 meeting.

Township Administrator Rob Platte and Trustee John Carlisle expressed support for the move. Both men attended the panel's meeting.

"With the economic growth in southwestern Licking County, I think we would benefit from one out here," Platte said. "Etna is certainly not one to shy away from blazing new trails and looking to the future."

Both men took not-so-veiled shots at the Licking County Chamber of Commerce and its economic development arm, Grow Licking County CIC, in backing the move.

Despite being the largest township by population in the county — and housing a growing corporate park and other acreage zoned for future corporate development — Etna does not have a representative on the county CIC's board, Platte said. Platte added that the township has asked to be represented on the board on more than one occasion.

Carlisle also questioned whether the Licking County chamber truly represents the township.

"Why are they not out here promoting Etna Township better?" Carlisle asked.

Cheri Hottinger, director of the Licking County Chamber, and Dan Evers, director of economic development for Grow Licking County CIC, did not return calls seeking comment Monday, but the divide between the chamber and the township is not new.

Hottinger and the Licking County chamber campaigned against a tax district the township implemented in 2014.

The district, called a Joint Economic Development Zone, would have taxed existing businesses and their employees. Township officials argued that the zone would have generated needed income to help pay for the upcoming expansion of the Ohio 310/Interstate 70 interchange.

Hottinger and others argued that the tax was unfair. Gov. John Kasich ultimately killed the proposal when he signed a bill placing greater restrictions on the formation of JEDZs.

Hottinger's husband, Jay, also faced off in November in the race for Ohio's 31st Senate District seat. Jay Hottinger won the race.

Panel member Mark Schaff referred to the chamber's opposition to the tax district in expressing support for the creation of a township CIC.

"We're not getting any focus out here, in my opinion," Carlisle said. "That is the Newark Chamber of Commerce. They can call it Licking County if they want."

Platte said Etna Township does not contribute any money to Grow Licking County CIC, so the future creation of an Etna CIC would not strip any money from the county nonprofit.

Further, the creation of a township CIC would enable Etna to seek out grants and accept property for the creation of future parks, Platte said. It also would enable the township to promote itself.

"We're not proposing to do something that duplicates services (with the county CIC)," Platte said.

In 2014, when the township began discussing the formation of its own CIC, Evers estimated that Grow Licking County had helped the township secure as many as 600 new jobs and to retain as many as 500 existing positions over a two-year period. Evers estimated the work generated an economic boost of $131 million for the township.

Despite the panel's recommendation, Carlisle and his fellow trustees still need to approve the creation of a township CIC. No time frame has been given for that action.

In the meantime, it appears the Etna CIC will not include regional partners — at least not at the outset.

Platte talked to officials from Pataskala and other southwestern Licking County townships about forming a regional CIC, but Platte said no other communities have committed to the effort.

In fact, Pataskala voted Jan. 5 to renew its annual membership with Grow Licking County CIC for $10,000.

Although Etna is taking the first step, Platte said, other communities could join the CIC later.

The township does intend to reach out to the Pataskala Area Chamber of Commerce, Platte said, in an effort to involve the local chamber in the effort.