Late last year, the board focused its attention on how to redefine its mission of attracting development to the city.

"The board went through a strategic planning process, identifying things we wanted to focus on -- the structure question as well as a purpose question," said Matt Shad, deputy city manager for economic development. Shad is the city's staff liaison to the CIC.

The board includes representatives of the local business community as well as city council president Don Leach and members Linda Mauger and Erik Yassenoff. The board decided to expand from 11 to 13 members to gain wider input from community members with business expertise.

On Jan. 12, city council approved the appointment of Jamie Sisto and Ted Schindler to the CIC.

"They both have practical and real-world financial experience," Shad said.

Sisto serves on the city's Tax Incentive Review Commission, which evaluates the performance of companies that have incentive agreements with the city. Schindler serves on the city's audit committee, which tracks the city's finances. Schindler is also past chair of the Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce board of trustees.

In addition to the two new members, the CIC has launched a new Web site (Uacic.org), which provides demographic information about Upper Arlington and information about the local business climate and new developments.

One new development that the CIC is recommending is a $20,000 incentive from the city's Large Business Loan/Grant to enable Bucyrus-based Farmers Citizens Bank (FCB) to lease a facility at 2821 Fishinger Road. The building was recently vacated by Cord Camera.

FCB applied for a Large Business Loan/Grant to assist the company in making additional improvements, estimated at $300,000 in total, necessary to operate the loan origination center. At its Jan. 15 meeting, the CIC voted unanimously to recommend that city council grant FCB the $20,000 loan grant.

In order for the $20,000 loan to be forgiven, FCB promises to lease the building for a minimum of nine years and locate 11 staff members at the facility by 2011. FCB anticipates that annual payroll in three years would be approximately $700,000 a year.

"It's potentially a very good investment for the payroll," Shad said.

Upper Arlington City Council was scheduled to review the loan/grant at its Jan. 20 conference session.

cbournea@thisweeknews.com