Although the main focus of last night’s Forney Economic Development Corporation (EDC) meeting was next year’s operating budget, that didn’t prevent the board from discussing items of note relating to the local economy.

Despite the fanfare following last February’s groundbreaking for the Forney Regional Medical Center (FRMC), Cirrus Health continues to have difficulties securing the funds necessary to proceed with construction. According to Fran Owens, Executive Director of the EDC, “FRMC is still laboring away trying to get their financing together.” In contrast, Forney Medical Plaza also located near the FRMC site has already opened and has announced a formal grand opening date of September 18.

Restaurant alcohol sales in Forney was also discussed. While the widespread belief is beer and wine sales are only permitted in restaurants located in the Entertainment District along Highway 80, per the original guidelines set in place by the City Council alcohol sales are also permitted in the Central Business District located in downtown Forney. The confusion arose because it was believed that the First Baptist Church on South Bois d’Arc Street was within 300 feet of the buildings in the downtown business district, a violation of city and state ordinances for alcohol sales.

“We took advantage of some better technology to develop better maps of the downtown business area, and determined that the west side of Bois d’Arc and all of Main Street are outside 300 feet,” Owens said. As a result, restaurants in that district with seating of at least 120 and that receive at least one-third of sales from food are eligible to apply for a license to sell beer and wine. It is believed that Napoli’s, located on Main Street, is currently researching this option. The EDC hopes to better publicize this new information in an effort to lure more restaurants to downtown Forney, with an ultimate goal of six or seven restaurants in the vicinity.

In lodging news, the Best Western located at Highway 80 and Pinson Road is tentatively scheduled to open in October. As part of the incentives to bring the hotel to Forney, the EDC agreed to pay $42,500 at the time of the issuance of the facility’s Certificate of Occupancy and another $42,500 a year from that date, for a total payout of $85,000.

In an effort to further revitalize downtown, the EDC has also made available $100,000 to implement the Historic Business District Revolving Fund. The hope is to provide short-term loans to downtown businesses to assist in remodeling and renovating the building exterior; the money is specifically prohibited from being used for inventory and operational purposes.

Like Best Western, another developer hopes to strike a deal with the EDC. Last September, land located at the corner of Buffalo Street and Elm Street was rezoned to allow for the construction of a senior living center. The developers of that project continue to procure the necessary land, and have approached the EDC regarding possible financial incentives. Their application will most likely be discussed at the next EDC meeting on Thursday, September 18.

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