Canton agrees to fund Downtown Canton Partnership for one year

CANTON − The city will grant $250,000 to the Downtown Canton Partnership for a professional services agreement lasting at least one year.

The nonprofit, which now coordinates First Fridays, was formed in October 2022 by downtown property and business owners. Executive Director Todd Herberghs first discussed the group's goals and reason for the funding request at a council committee meeting in February.

"We're the largest city that does not have a comprehensive downtown organization," Herberghs told the Community and Economic Development Committee. "We wanted to create something that would mirror what our peer cities had."

The new partnership is over the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District (SID), of which Herberghs also is executive director. The SID is a designated area downtown where property owners pay a special assessment for services, such as landscaping.

The SID is comprised of landowners but Downtown Canton Partnership board members can be anyone who lives, works or has a significant tie to the downtown. Herberghs said Monday that the 17-member board met for the first time last week.

The grant request originally was $250,000 a year for two years from the city's Issue 13 comprehensive plan fund. It was reduced to one year after Councilmen Frank Morris, D-9, and Kevin Hall, D-6, questioned the partnership's plans for the money and the board's diversity.

"To all those of you who agreed to a one-year deal, it was in our best interest," Morris said Monday, adding that he wants the nonprofit to return in a year and share details about its expenses.

According to a council memo from Canton Planning Director Donn Angus, the Downtown Canton Partnership's strategic goals are to:

• Develop a brand for downtown Canton.

• Keep the area "clean, safe and welcoming."

• Provide communication and support to downtown businesses.

• Promote economic development in the downtown.

• Provide "stakeholder leadership engagement and service."

• Promote the downtown through event programming.

Herberghs said Hall's comments about diversity "were totally taken to heart," and additional board members were added.

Hall acknowledged the addition of some minority board members.

"I think they made an attempt," he said.

However, Hall said, there seems to be overlap in services with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce ― which the city also funds. He cast the only vote against the measure.

"I feel they're rushing this, and I don't know why," Hall said.

Councilmen John Mariol, D-7, and Greg Hawk, D-1, voiced their support of voting on the professional services agreement on its second reading to give the partnership security about its budget. An ordinance typically has three readings at successive meetings before a vote.

The ordinance initially was up for a second reading Feb. 27 and would have had a third reading the following week but was held by the council committee until Monday.

Hawk said the downtown has seen "tremendous growth" and should continue to receive support, which he believes the partnership is well-suited to do.

Stark, Canton join forces:Plan to expand fiber networks and internet access

Fiber network OK'd

City Council also authorized the mayor or service director to enter a contract for a citywide fiber network and expand police security cameras.

Canton is building the network in partnership with Stark County, which will pay $1.5 million for the county portion. The city will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money for the $6.6 million cost to expand the existing fiber network and $1 million for additional security cameras, license plate readers and other related police expenses.

An expanded network also would create the potential for Canton to offer commercial and residential fiber internet service in the future.

Councilman Bill Smuckler, D-at large, praised the project.

"I think this legislation is as important or more important than any other legislation we've dealt here to make sure that the Canton streets are safe," he said.

Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.comOn Twitter: @kbyerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton agrees to fund Downtown Canton Partnership for one year