EDC Board approves two Start-Up Grants; recommends additional incentives funding

At the regular meeting of the Chickasha Economic Development Council Board on October 11, 2022, the expansion of business in Chickasha was made clear by multiple action items.

The board approved two separate Small Business Start-Up grants at the meeting. The first recipient was The Lily Bee boutique, which is set to open in Chickasha Crossing at 1619 South 4th St., the former location of Two Vets Clothing. The second is Life in Bloom, a flower shop set to open downtown at 103 South 4th St. Start-Up grants cover the first three months of rent or utilities for new businesses with a storefront in Chickasha, along with several other benefits.

Additionally, the board approved a request to the Chickasha City Council to earmark an additional $500,000 from the Economic Development Sales Tax Fund for the economic development incentives program. This program has been used to partially match private investment in Chickasha.  The funds already set aside for the program have all been allocated and there are more applicants in queue. Mayor Chris Mosley estimated that the program had already generated around $3 million in private investment. Applications for these incentives are made to the EDC, which make recommendations to the City Council for the final decision.