Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 Section B — Franklin / Sugarcreek Borough Section B Section B of the Business Review and Forecastt focuses on the business- es in and aroundound Franklin and SugaSugar-r- creek Borough.h ThiThis sectionti startst t with a comprehensive look at the work of Franklin City Council over 2020, and includes details about how the panel handled the challenges of the global pandemic that resulted in the furlough of some city workers and plummeting revenues for city coffers. There also is a story inside that de- tails all the moving parts of Frank- lin’s downtown business district, complete with a map that shows where shoppers can find all of those specialty stores. Many local firms that are featured in this section provided details about how they faced the COVID-19 pan- demic head-on, adapting as needed to keep their businesses running through a very difficult year. The section ends with a look at Sugarcreek Borough’s news, includ- Jace Junk works on the electrical portion of a Viper granulator at the IPEG/Conair plant in Franklin. The granulators ing the opening of Rural King after grind plastic scrap into reusable material, making them a vital part of the company’s efforts to decrease material what seemed like an eternal wait for waste and increase its recycling efforts. See story on Page B-11. patrons of the farm supply store. NEW 2021 GRIFFIN TELLURIDE KIA 2020 KIA SOUL 2021 KIA SPORTAGE LX AWD MSRP $26,795 MSRP $20,285 LEASE FOR GRIFFIN DISCOUNT $3,295 CASH / TRADE $2,000 $259 $ GRIFFIN 14,990 SALE PRICE .0/5)4t,:&"3t%6&"54*(/*/( Includes ACQ fee, security depsit waived. 2021 KIA K5 LXS 2021 KIA SORENTO S AWD 2021 KIA SELTOS MSRP $25,725 MSRP $35,565 MSRP $23,355 MANUF. REBATES $1,000 MANUF. REBATES $500 MANUF. REBATES $1,000 GRIFFIN DISCOUNT $1,000 GRIFFIN DISCOUNT $1,149 GRIFFIN DISCOUNT $949 CASH / TRADE $2,000 CASH / TRADE $2,000 CASH / TRADE $2,000 $ GRIFFIN $ GRIFFIN $ GRIFFIN 21,725 SALE PRICE 31,916 SALE PRICE 19,406 SALE PRICE Tax and license fees extra. Must finance through Kia Motor Finance. Well quaified buyers. No down payment required. See dealer for details. OFFER EXPIRES 2/28/21. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.GRIFFINKIA.COM Vehicle photos are for illustration only. May not be exact vehicle described. GRIFFIN DAVE JOEL GREG DAN CHRIS RON LORESKI AGNEW DAVIS PENFIELD LINZ MIDDLETON 11301 Perry Highway (Vernon Centre) Meadville SHOWROOM HOURS: MON & THURS 9:00 AM TO 8:00 PM 814-336-2161 or 1-800-331-1113 TUES & WED 9:00 AM TO 5:30 PM, FRI 9:00 AM TO 6:00 PM, SAT 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM B-2 – THE DERRICK. / The News-Herald Friday, February 19, 2021 Franklin council faces challenges Panel takes steps to curb losses and move forward By A.J. TITLEY served as “more of an admin- down $109,000 from 2018. Staff writer istrative function.” She said at that same meeting Baker said by declaring a revenues from the enabling Franklin City Council in disaster emergency, council fund, a pooled fund from lo- 2020, like all municipalities, would not have to call emer- cal service tax and earned in- faced challenges only dreamt gency meetings every time come tax revenues, were down up in nightmares prior to the something needed an immedi- $49,000 from 2019 and new year, but also handled a ate decision. $60,000 from 2018. slew of mundane tasks like In April, news went from In May, the city canceled always. bad to worse when city man- all city-sponsored events Almost immediately, the ager Tracy Jamieson an- through July, which included global pandemic took center nounced the city had fur- well-loved traditions such as stage and, in March, council loughed nine employees and the Memorial Day parade and called an emergency meet- expected more furloughs to Independence Day festivities. ing to declare a disaster come. When the decision was made, emergency after Gov. Tom The measure was taken in Jamieson said the “events Wolf ordered a statewide an attempt to curb some of the draw multitudes of people and By Jamie Hunt shutdown of all non-essen- city’s losses as property and cost the city money.” tial businesses. earned income tax revenues The optimistic thought of City streets and sidewalks converge in front of the Venango County Court- In that meeting, mayor plummeted. being able to hold events after house in downtown Franklin. PennDOT had been looking into adding a round- Doug Baker assured the com- At one meeting in June, July was dashed and in the about in this area, but the plan was criticized by city council and residents. munity that nothing had hap- Jamieson said general fund end, the city canceled all pened specifically to warrant revenues were $11,000 less events through the summer. ally held in October, is an ily enough, and come with few funds for: alarm, but said the declaration than that time in 2019 and Though Applefest, tradition- event sponsored by the Frank- obstacles, but then HUD also $75,000 in forgivable lin Chamber of Commerce, informed municipalities that loans for businesses which that event was also canceled these categories also came were given to 15 businesses at WARM HOME & HEARTH causing more economic grief with their own stipulations. $5,000 each. to the area. If the funds were used for $60,000 for the purchase The only two events held building improvements, it of an Advanced Life Support in Franklin in 2020 were the must be used for the creation emergency response vehicle COLD WEATHER IS HERE! Franklin on Ice festival in of treatment or quarantine fa- for the fire department. February and a pared down cilities. $15,000 each for Shep- Now’s the time to stop by our showroom version of Light-Up Night in Assistance to businesses herd’s Green Community and help your home stay warm! November. needed to be used to support Food Pantry, St. Patrick Com- Another massive hurdle for the “manufacturing of medi- munity Food Pantry and On all qualifying wood & the city came in the form of cal supplies, the retention of Franklin Salvation Army Food securing and allocating Coro- jobs held by low-and-moder- Pantry. wood pellet products. 26% Tax Credit See store for details. navirus Aid, Relief and Eco- ate income persons, and/or $8,861 for the purchase nomic Security Act funds the establishment, stabiliza- of personal protective equip- Lopi Pellet Stoves Harman Pellet Stoves Mendota Gas Fireplaces Blaze King Wood Stoves & Inserts which were provided to mu- tion or expansion of microen- ment and supplies relating to nicipalities through the Com- terprises that provide services the pandemic. munity Development Block to support home and health The remaining $34,871 Grant program earning it the quarantine.” was used for administration title of CDBG-CV. HUD also said that support costs, which is a standard 18% When it was announced in for public services “would in- the city agrees to for all CD- June that the city was set to clude training of health care BG-related funds. receive $150,000, that money workers, testing, target health Regular CDBG funds were also came under the same stip- services, provision of neces- approved by council the next ulations CDBG funds are gov- sary equipment and supplies month, with all $304,077 put Class A Chimneys • Pellet Stove Parts erned by. The money came and delivery of meals to qual- toward street paving projects Wood Pellets & Anthracite Coal with more caveats that the fed- ified individuals.” scheduled for the summer. eral Department of Housing Despite the added parame- In January, the city re- Professional Installation & Service and Urban Development de- ters, the city was able to allo- ceived news that it would re- 17275 Shreve Road, Pleasantville, PA 16341 clared as three “broad” catego- cate the final $193,732 in ceive an extra $7,714 in ries: building improvements, CDBG-CV funds into uses CDBG funds which will also 814.589.7890 assistance to businesses and that provided assistance to be put toward that already ap- Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm • Saturday 8:00 am to Noon support for public services. city residents and staff. proved paving projects. email: [email protected] • website: www.warmhomeandhearth.com The categories sounded like At a final hearing in Au- the money would be spent eas- gust, council approved the See COUNCIL, Page B-4 Shop, Dine & Visit Victorian Franklin FUN THINGS SERIOUS THINGS ALL THE THINGS Antiques, Vintage, Collectibles Primitives, Jewelry, Home Decor & Much More! DIVINE DINING Try a Reservations Recommended Specialty Gourmet Fudge sample! Phone 814-432-4955 GIFTS WINE LOCAL ART OPEN: Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5 http://bellapa.com Find us on JEWELRY APPAREL Tuesday - Sunday 1239 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA Lunch 11-2 & Dinner 4-8 1237 Liberty St., Franklin 814-437-6550 814-432-7020 Online at LibertyStAntiques.com 1234 Liberty Street Franklin, PA 16323 BoutiqueMaloFranklinPA ’s Hair n Tanning n Nails & More Open Thursday - Saturday 11:00-6:00pm Sunday 12:00-5:00pm Odd Stuff For Old Souls www.facebook.com/theprinterscabinet #theprinterscabinet 1696 Pittsburgh Rd. Franklin, PA 814-437-9570 One Stop Shop For 314 West Park Street • 814-673-5355 Full Line of Facebook.com/westparkguitar Guns, Hunting, Fishing, Archery, Fresh Cut Meats westparkguitar.com Outdoor, Ammo & Supplies • Housemade Sausage & Bologna Guitars, Basses, Amps, Effects, Come See Our Accessories, Repairs & Lessons Huge Showroom! • Fresh Smoked Meats • Fresh Seafood New, Used, Buy, Sell & Trade Need Cash? 10% OFF ANY ONE ITEM Paying TOP DOLLAR for Used Guns! 633 13th St., Franklin In Stock through 3/31/21 www.mauerstradingpostinc.com 814-346-0198 Friday, February 19, 2021 THE DERRICK.