City Council Recap

August 16, 2022
Council Recap

The August 16 City Council meeting was the first for the new Council who were sworn in on Thursday, August 11. The first item in the public hearing was an economic development incentive grant to ImpactData for up to $530,359 for the purpose of making real property improvements, purchasing new equipment, and creating jobs. ImpactData is a minority-owned digital infrastructure firm and it is considering Gateway Research Park for a Dream Center, its flagship product. This facility will include a data center component, dedicated academic space for NC A&T State University, and dedicated community workforce training and development space.

Council then approved a series of economic development appropriations to: Piedmont Business Capital; Downtown Greensboro Inc.; Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; Greensboro Chamber of Commerce - Launch Lab; and Guilford County Economic Development Alliance. Council also approved a contract with the Guilford County Board of Education for School Safety Resource Officers to provide services in certain school campuses. Guilford County Board of Education will reimburse the City for a portion of the costs for 17 officers and three sworn supervisors.

GuilfordWorks identified the need to provide training and employment for Guilford County residents. Council approved a contract for $2.89M for one year with Eckerd Connects to provide the training.

Following the voter approved bonds on July 26 totaling $135M, Council must adopt a resolution declaring the results of the referendum. Council approved a resolution authorizing expenditures for eligible government services to administer the City's full $59.4M APRA Grant award, freeing up the City's general revenues to support various community agencies and internal departments for projects submitted during the application process. Of the ARPA funds, $8 was approved for the Windsor Chavis Nocho Community Complex Project.

One of the last items was an ordinance amending the General Fund and the General Capital Improvements Fund for $6.1M for maintenance needs, including roof replacement and HVAC improvements at the Central Library, roof and various maintenance repairs at the Greensboro Cultural Center and repairs and improvements to the City's swimming.