Plain City Council is deciding how to fill the void, as Uptown Plain City Organization is disbanding.
Council member Shannon Pine, who has served as the head of UPCO’s design committee, said the organization is planning a “lengthier disband” that will occur over time. However, UPCO will cease planning and hosting events at the end of this year.
UPCO is an all-volunteer organization “focused on the growth and development of the Historic Uptown District,” according to documents from the organization.
UPCO assists with design considerations and economic development through hosting events, offering grants and providing educational seminars.
Residents of the village are likely most familiar with UPCO through its two flagship events: the Classic Car Cruise each summer and Christmas Under the Clock.
Pine said 2021 Christmas Under the Clock will be the last event hosted by UPCO.
Council President John Rucker said UPCO, which consists of only volunteers, is disbanding due simply to low participation.
“The reason they’re disbanding is because no one is going to meetings,” Rucker said during a recent council work session. “No one’s helping.”
Pine said even the board has not been at recent meetings.
Council member Frank Reed suggested the village create its own Community Improvement Corporation (CIC).
CICs are nonprofit corporations that serve the purpose of “advancing, encouraging and promoting the industrial, economic, commercial and civic development of a community or area,” according to the Ohio Revised Code.
They are tax-exempt entities that can help promote and finance economic development by providing loans; buying, selling or leasing property and entering into contracts with state and local governments, according to the Ohio County Commissioners Handbook.
Rucker said he does not feel that the village needs its own CIC, as it is already a member of Madison County’s Community Improvement Corporation.
The Madison County CIC, also known as Madison County Future Inc., is a nonprofit organization that “assists businesses with their relocation and expansion plans and markets Madison County as one of the best places for business in Ohio and the United States,” according to its website.
Reed argued, though, that the Madison County CIC does not advocate for Plain City as strongly as a CIC established by the village would.
“From what I can tell, it’s not much that benefits the village,” he said regarding the work done by the Madison County corporation.
Rucker, who is a board member of the Madison County CIC, said the number of projects financed by the Madison County CIC is not an indicator of its interest in the village.
Instead, he said the infrastructure of the village creates obstacles for economic development.
“Their hands are tied by the limitations of this village,” Rucker said, adding that there are “no utilities.”
Mayor Jody Carney said it may be a matter of how frequently the village actually approaches the Madison County CIC for assistance. She asked if it had ever been done.
Former Village Administrator Nathan Cahall said Plain City did request the Madison County CIC assist with the financing of the new municipal building, but the scope of the project was too large for them.
If the village were to create its own CIC, Pine said it could be focused exclusively on the Uptown district.
Still, Rucker said he doesn’t feel it would be an adequate solution.
Since low participation is at the root of the issue, Rucker said “creating another organization won’t solve the problem.”
Pine asked that village staff provide council with more information surrounding the prerequisites and steps to create a CIC. From there, council will discuss options moving forward.
In the meantime, council addressed a village ordinance that states one Design Review Board member should be an UPCO member.
The individual who currently fills that role is Chris Iman.
“I really don’t want to lose her,” Rucker said.
Solicitor Paul Lafayette explained that Chapter 1327, which dictates DRB operations, is written with permissive language. For that reason, there is no concrete requirement that DRB must have a sitting member who also serves on UPCO.
“If UPCO goes away tomorrow, she’s still good because of the way the code is written,” Rucker said. Lafayette agreed.
While DRB members can remain, Rucker said it may be difficult to fill the absence created by UPCO’s dissolution.
“I wish there were a way to save UPCO, to be honest with you,” Rucker said.