News

Due to an alarming rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in our community and new guidance from the Franklin County and Columbus Public Health Departments, Franklin County Administrator, Kenneth N. Wilson yesterday issued new guidance to Board of Commissioners employees requiring that they again wear face coverings in common areas of county facilities.  All other visitors to county buildings are strongly encouraged to wear masks, and masks are required by some courts in the county complex. These actions are consistent with the advice of our local public health officials and with guidance recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This week, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners funded a new expansion at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective via a $7 million grant to add a 19,000 square-foot addition to the foodbank’s facility in Grove City.  The grant is made up of funds from the American Rescue Plan, of which Franklin County will receive more than $255 million over the coming two years.  The new addition will include a 14,000 square-foot freezer that will double storage and picking locations, and four new dock doors for loading, unloading, and handling perishable foods.
 

Former State Representative Erica C. Crawley was sworn in this morning as the newest Franklin County Commissioner.  She replaces interim Commissioner, Dawn Tyler Lee, who has served since May 21^st following the resignation of long-time Commissioner Marilyn Brown.  Commissioner Crawley was chosen by the retiring commissioner’s political party as required by Ohio law, and will serve the remainder of Commissioner Brown’s original term through 2022.
 

For the 28th consecutive year, Franklin County has received duel Triple-A ratings by the two principal financial ratings agencies, Standard and Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., making it one of just 2% of local governments in the country to enjoy this favorable rating.  Standard and Poors’ view of county management is that it is “very strong, with financial practices and sophisticated budget processes that are well embedded and sustainable as pandemic-related pressures subside.”
 

This week, the commissioners are investing $250,000 with Experience Columbus to help promote our community and fund a Diversity Travel Apprenticeship program to promote equity in the hospitality industry.  Experience Columbus markets and promotes our region as a destination for visitors, tourists, conferences and conventions, and the hospitality industry has suffered during the pandemic.  In a typical year, Greater Columbus welcomes 43 million visitors who directly spend about $7.6 billion and support 78,600 jobs in the tourism industry.  The same visitors pay $1.35 billion each year in local, state, and federal taxes that support the arts, human services, and economic development in Franklin County.  Getting our hotels, restaurants, convention center, and other attractions back on their feet will be key to helping our whole community recover.
 

Juneteenth celebrates the abolition of slavery in America, and the recognition that African Americans are entitled to equal rights in this country they helped to build.  Last year, the commissioners were proud to add it as a holiday for their employees (replacing Columbus Day) to recognize the struggle that so many have endured and are still enduring in order to realize the dream of a more perfect and equitable union.

This week, the commissioners have begun a $55,472 partnership with L.E.A.D. With Purpose to help send 25 young women of color to summer camp. 

This week, the commissioners are making grants to two agencies and three separate programs to address digital inequity among vulnerable seniors in our community.  The $80,585 in funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, and the partner agencies are Central Community House and Community Refugee and Immigrant Services.
 

With a $680,000 grant this week, the commissioners are investing in the Alvis Halfway House at 1755 Alum Creek Drive in order to allow Alvis to expand its facility to serve an additional 70 clients at a time.  The expansion will allow Alvis to serve up to 325 individuals at one time, including with behavioral health services, workforce development, case management, healthcare, and a gym. 
 

Public Technology Institute (PTI) recently announced that Franklin County and the Franklin County Data Center (FCDC) were awarded with Significant Achievement in web services, e-government, and mobile applications. The award salutes the county’s innovations with Microsoft Dynamics 365 to create tailored, data-driven assistance for boys and young men of color.