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A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION OF GAHANNA STRATEGIC PLAN AND EXPRESSING COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR ITS MISSION, VISION, AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION
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WHEREAS, the Community Improvement Corporation of Gahanna (the "CIC") is a nonprofit corporation organized under Chapter 1724 of the Ohio Revised Code, and City Council adopted Ordinance 0112-2008 on May 19, 2008, redesignating and authorizing the establishment of the CIC for the purpose of industrial, economic, civic, commercial, distribution, and research development in the City of Gahanna; and
WHEREAS, the CIC serves as the City's economic development agent, including as the sole agent responsible for implementing the Gahanna Land Bank Program, and works cooperatively with the City through a service agreement to accomplish the City's economic development goals and objectives; and
WHEREAS, the Our Gahanna Strategic Plan & Economic Development Strategy ("Our Gahanna") sets the City's long-range vision and names the CIC as a partner in its implementation, including Economic Development Strategy action ED A.6, which calls on the City to "continue to align the Community Improvement Corporation's (CIC) mission and activities with the recommendations in this plan to implement major economic development projects and initiatives"; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to a recommendation in the Economic Development Strategy, the CIC’s Board of Directors completed the Community Improvement Corporation of Gahanna Strategic Plan in July 2026 to serve as a guide for the organization for the next three to five year; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan advances Our Gahanna Goal 1, Elevate our Unique Places, and its objective 1.A, "Advance the Creekside District as a vibrant area," including objective 1.A.2, attracting and supporting businesses that reflect community interests and market demand, and objective 1.A.9, developing a Creekside District Improvement Program to leverage funding to improve facades, upgrade signage, and provide necessary infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan also supports the Economic Development Strategy goals to strengthen existing industry sectors, including advancing development and redevelopment of strategic areas (ED A), and to nurture new and emerging economic sectors; and
WHEREAS, an endorsement by the Council expresses a shared vision and general support for the Strategic Plan and provides a foundation for continued implementation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO, THAT:
Section 1. Council hereby endorses the vision and strategic direction of the Community Improvement Corporation of Gahanna Strategic Plan, including its mission, vision, and guiding principles, and expresses its support for the Strategic Plan's five action areas of: stable governance, financial resilience, business assistance, real estate development, and economic development innovation.
Section 2. Council hereby affirms that this endorsement expresses a shared direction toward enhancing the economic development of the City.
Section 3. Council affirms that the Community Improvement Corporation of Gahanna Strategic Plan advances the common goals in the Our Gahanna Strategic Plan and Economic Development Strategy adopted on November 3, 2025 through RES-0046-2025.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect and be in force at the earliest date permitted by law.