The Columbus Redevelopment Commission has agreed to provide some financial support for facility improvements at a new makerspace.
The commission voted Monday to authorize the creation of a grant agreement with the Columbus Area Chamber Foundation, Inc. The grant will provide $150,000 from the airport TIF for creation of the Columbus Propeller, Inc makerspace — or, as Chamber President Cindy Frey described it, an “innovation center.”
“It includes a robotics lab, a 3D printing lab, a machine shop, a woodworking shop and also support for small businesses and new businesses — a business accelerator program,” she said.
The Board of Aviation Commissioners recently approved a lease agreement with Columbus Propeller for airport property. The property, known as buildings 45 and 49, was previously leased to Cummins, Inc.
“The previous tenant put a lot of money into the facility to refresh it,” Frey said. “However, there are still projects left to be done.”
Per the grant request, about two-thirds of funds will be used to remedy drainage issues at the site. This will support the installation of two dry wells, cement and stone work, removal of concrete bollards, and a trench drain.
That portion will be approximately $108,000, Frey said. Then there are nine smaller projects that total about $45,000 and “make the facility safer, more temperate … and also more connected.” This includes getting internet connected to the facility.
Members of the commission were provided with a proposed improvement list that included estimated costs from contractors and details on how the funds will be allocated, said Redevelopment Director Heather Pope.
Columbus Propeller President Bryan Rushton said that given how expensive some of the provided quotes are, the top priority is the area between the two buildings, both in terms of drainage and intended usage.
“In our discussions, we’ve been really mindful about what investments would make the most difference for the building now and in the future,” Frey added. “So should there be another tenant down the road, we think these things would benefit anyone who uses that building.”
The grant agreement will be with the chamber foundation, which is the “501(c)(3) arm” of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, she said.
Pope explained that the foundation is currently serving as the fiscal agent for the project. Columbus Propeller is in the process of seeking its 501(c)(3) status and is waiting on a designation letter.
This is the first time the redevelopment commission has received a request to grant funds to a 501(c)(3), she added.
Commission member Kyle Hendricks abstained from the vote, as the chamber foundation has also reached out to the Heritage Fund about a grant request. Hendricks is manager of community impact at the Heritage Fund.
