Town 5-0 on MOU with FBA, Chamber for biz promotion
Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved Memorandums of Understanding for both Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce and Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance during its Thursday, July 27, meeting — but not without some pushback regarding FBA.
Vice Mayor Louise Povlin’s bone of contention was the out-of-Farragut businesses being involved in FBA’s community events. She stressed the FBA needs to focus more on generating revenue for Farragut businesses.
“We’re after the people, not the businesses,” she said. “The outside businesses compete with our businesses. We’re the loser here.”
But, FBA president Candace Viox said the FBA, especially through Shop Farragut and reaching out to Farragut businesses, is Town-centered.
Moreover, in order to hold community events such as Dock Dogs, she said it needs revenues some outside businesses could bring.
“We have to operate,” Viox said.
Alderman Drew Burnette shared a view different from Povlin.
“I don’t share the same view against outsiders,” he said, adding he would like to see the events become bigger to draw more crowds.
“I think the events make people want to come,” Burnette added. “The bigger and more exciting, the more people spend money.”
Trevor Hobbs, assistant to the Town administrator, said the 2024 MOU has a cost of $55,000 — $15,000 less than before.
He said the Town last signed an MOU with FBA in October 2019 for a one-year period during fiscal year 2020, which renewed automatically in subsequent years.
“The prior agreement included a payment to the Farragut Business Alliance of $17,500 each quarter, for a total of $70,000 per fiscal year, and was in compensation for all activities conducted in pursuit of their program of work,” Hobbs said.
While Povlin argued against out-of-town participants at community events, she voted in favor of the $55,000 annual MOU.
In comparison, there was little discussion regarding FWKCC’s 2024 MOU, which replaces the current one-year MOU and increases the amount FWCKK will receive.
“The memorandum of understanding with the Town of Farragut and Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce expired as of June 30, and is proposed for renewal for an additional year, through June 30, 2024,” Hobbs said.
“The prior agreement included a payment to the Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce of $12,500 each six-month period, for a total of $25,000 per fiscal year,” he said. “The proposed renewal includes an increase in payment to $17,500 each six-month period, for a total of $35,000 per fiscal year.
Julie Blaylock, FWKCC president/CEO, said her board looked at levels aligning with the Town’s economic strategic plan. Of the Chamber members, she said 204 are businesses in Farragut, making up 30 percent of the membership.
“I’m excited about the partnership with the Chamber,” Alderman Scott Meyer said.
When asked by Burnette what the additional $10,000 would cover, Blaylock said another staff member is needed to handle the jump in activity.
