Bizy Dips plans expansion

A local business is looking to expand.

Portland City Council voted Monday to move forward with creating a development agreement with Bizy Dips for an expansion that would include purchasing The Flower Nook.

Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips presented details discussed during a Portland Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) Advisory Committee meeting earlier in the evening, noting that Bizy Dips is requesting a loan to help with the expansion. It would be a 10-year loan with no interest for the first five years and then 1% over prime. The loan would be 50% forgivable if the business meets benchmarks set out in the development agreement, including the addition of jobs.

Bizy Dips owner Hannah Long explained that she is in the process of purchasing The Flower Nook. The flower shop is located at 111 E. Main St., adjacent to the existing Bizy Dips location inside John Jay Center for Learning.

She said the goal is to renovate a section of the flower shop with a full commercial kitchen. Doing so would allow Bizy Dips to expand its food production.

Long said plans are to keep the current Bizy Dips location, which has been in place for just over five years, and to operate the flower shop under a different name.

Council members Kent McClung, Michele Brewster, Matt Goldsworthy, Mike Aker, Dave Golden, Ashley Hilfiker and Ron May approved sending the proposal back to the EDIT advisory committee to continue the process. The committee will work with Long to work out details of the loan and development agreement, which will then be subject to council approval.

Golden also asked that creation of a single dispatch for police and emergency responders be placed on the agenda for the next council meeting.  (Currently, Jay County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Police Department both have dispatch units.) The topic was discussed briefly at the Nov. 3 meeting.

He said he understands that such a decision would ultimately be made by Portland Board of Works.

“I think it needs robust discussion,” he said.

Hilfiker also spoke in support of looking into a single dispatch unit, noting safety and cost savings as two key issues. She also said that while the board of works would make the administrative decision, the council is the city’s fiscal body and determines how funds are allocated to each department.

Portland resident Bryan Alexander addressed the council regarding Flock Safety cameras, which involve license plate reading and video surveillance. They can provide detailed information about vehicles and their occupants. They can be used by law enforcement agencies to locate suspects or missing persons.

Goldsworthy brought the cameras to the attention of the council at its last meeting, though there are no current plans or proposals to put them into use. (Winchester and Randolph County both recently approved purchases of the cameras.)

Alexander noted concerns about liberty and what could be done with the data the cameras collect.

“The argument to use the technology to improve law enforcement I think is dangerous, that precedent,” he said. “And I think the history of the world has shown that when we give up freedom, often in the sake of safety, that’s often led to irreversible deterioration of civil rights and freedom.”

In other business:

•May made a $100 donation to Secret Families Christmas Charity of Jay County, which provides Christmas gifts, a gift card for a Christmas dinner and other items to local families in need. Mayor Jeff Westlake donated $200 in gift cards. Those who would like to donate to the organization, which served 151 families last year, can do so at secretfamiliesjc.org or by sending a check to P.O. Box 4, Dunkirk, IN 47336. Those interested in volunteering can do so by meeting at Walmart to shop at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, or at Jay County Fairgrounds at 8 a.m. to wrap gifts or 10:30 a.m. to make deliveries.

•Phillips offered a reminder that Jay County Chamber of Commerce’s Winterfest celebration kicks off this weekend and includes the Parade of Lights at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in downtown Portland. Other activities include the tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Jay County Courthouse and the Little Miss Winterfest pageant at 1 p.m. Saturday at Fellowship Baptist Church.

•Golden thanked the city’s street department for Christmas decorations.

•May asked about a State of the City address, saying he believes it is required annually. The mayor said he was unaware that it was a requirement and will work on getting something set up.