On August 6th, 2024, the Forney City Council passed a resolution designed to tighten the criteria for eligibility of economic development grants and incentives provided by the Forney Economic Development Corporation (Forney EDC). This resolution was intended to ensure that tax dollars are responsibly allocated to businesses that demonstrate long-term viability and adhere to strict eligibility standards.
The newly established criteria state that any business or individual who has previously received an economic development grant from the FEDC is ineligible to receive additional incentives for a period of six years. This policy aims to prevent repeat applications and ensure that incentives are used to support a diverse range of businesses across the community. The resolution was proposed by City Council Member James Traylor and was passed unanimously by the Council.
Despite this newly enacted resolution, on August 20th, 2024, just two weeks after the resolution’s approval, the City Council approved a $50,000 incentive for the Brunch Room Bistro, a new restaurant venture by Kristen and Christopher Clouse. The Clouse family were previously granted incentives for their first restaurant in 2021, the French Quarter Bistro, which has since closed after only three years of operation.
The approval of this new incentive raises questions about the enforcement of the August 6th resolution. By the resolution’s own criteria, the Clouse family’s new venture should have been ineligible for additional incentives given the closure of their previous business and the timeline of their previous grant.
Councilman James Traylor, who originally put forth the resolution to restrict repeat incentives, was the first to motion for the approval of the $50,000 grant to the Brunch Room Bistro, and was a vote for approval for the the French Quarter Bistro in 2021. Councilman Chambers seconded the motion. The grant was approved unanimously by the council.
The situation raises concerns about the oversight and management of taxpayer funds in Forney. The same council members who implemented measures to safeguard economic incentives are now supporting actions that appear to contradict those same measures.