HAPPY TO SHARE Bill Martin was happy to share the details of the conversation held Monday with Governor DeWine on the housing crisis faced by many rural Ohio communities
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Port Authority met on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at noon in the conference room at 110 South Walnut Street in Bryan.
Present were members Dave Newcomer, Sean Rupp, Bill Martin, Stacy Lillard, and Dawn Fitzcharles, as were Ashley Epling, Jaclyn Herman, and legal representative Tyson Stuckey.
The expenses were approved as listed through December 6, as were the minutes of the November 2nd, 8th, and 22nd meetings as presented with no discussion.
The second bank draw in WCPA history was then approved for the Bunny Lane properties in Edon, before a recommendation made by Dawn Fitzcharles to engage in financial reporting services was approved.
It was then shared that three closings are in the works for 313 Oak Street in Edgerton, 903 South Main Street in Bryan, and 205 Bunny Lane in Edon, with the sale of a lot at 421 South Cherry Street in Bryan closing soon with the intent of constructing a duplex.
444 Oak Street in Edgerton and 903 South Pleasant Street in Montpelier were approved for listing, before Sean Rupp shared that the 9th house, located at 504 South Curtis Street in Pioneer, has officially began construction, with plans for the 10th house to start construction at 1004 Linden Street in Montpelier shortly.
Discussion was then held on how the WCPA can work towards completing their goal of creating 25 housing units, with members agreeing on making finding affordable lots their priority.
The success of the sale of the house at 313 North Oak Street in Edgerton was shared by Fitzcharles before she brought up the necessity of making meeting forms available online.
It was promised that research would be done on how to best publish WCPA documents before Bill Martin shared the success of the meeting held on Monday with Governor Mike DeWine on the current housing crisis.
Martin shared that this meeting gave him hope that housing project funds will be made more accessible to rural communities.
Martin shared that they had prepared a presentation entailing the economic benefits of investing in multi-family properties in Williams County alone, hoping to spread awareness that investing in rural development can be as lucrative as further metropolitan development.
The WCPA then voted to enter into executive session at 12:37 p.m., set to meet next January 24, 2024 in the conference room at their South Walnut Street location.
