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Buckeye council could award economic development grants

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BUCKEYE — There’s only one major economic development item on Tuesday’s agenda for the Buckeye City Council that will likely take up much time to discuss.

The council is set to take action on funding of two recommended Economic Development Catalyst Program requests that would total $78,750, if funded. That’s the main action item on the agenda for Tuesday’s 6 p.m. meeting at Buckeye City Hall.

A staff report says the Catalyst Program is intended to promote the rehabilitation of existing commercial, industrial or mixed-use properties by offering as much as $50,000 of city funding, per project, toward improvement costs.

The program is intended to be for commercial, industrial or mixed-use properties within the city that serve a public purpose.

Fees can be included, but only those fees associated with a project that serves a public purpose. These properties must already have applicable zoning or be rezoned before being eligible.

The city received four applications. After a review, two applications were recommended for approval.

One application was submitted by Calvert Oil. The company wants about $33,500 to complete an exterior painting project on several buildings and 11 gas storage tanks and associated piping.

The other recommended application was submitted by Alatrash Investments, LLC. The company wants $50,000 to help develop a parking area behind the historic Ware Building in downtown Buckeye along Monroe Avenue.

Alatrash would triple the investment, putting in about $150,000 toward rehabbing the area, which will include paving, sidewalks, approaches, storm drains and other associated parking items.

The meeting will be preceded by a 3:15 p.m. workshop, which has its own agenda.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory Krueder, commander of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, will conduct a presentation and update on behalf of Luke.

The council also will get an update on redistricting services being provided by contractor National Demographics Corp., which is doing outreach and mapping for the redrawing of the city’s six council districts.

Arizona Department of Housing Director Tom Simplot will present some housing information to the council at the workshop.