Trenton Advances Plan to Waive Fees for New Businesses

The Trenton City Commission is moving forward with a proposal aimed at making it easier and less expensive for new businesses to open in the city, as officials continue to look for ways to spur investment and fill long-vacant buildings.

The measure, drafted by the Downtown Development Authority and now under review by the city attorney, would waive certain city fees for qualifying new construction and major renovation projects. The incentives would apply to projects exceeding a minimum construction threshold, currently set at more than $50,000 and are intended to reduce upfront costs that can slow or stop development.

Supporters of the proposal say the approach is designed to trade short-term revenue for long-term growth, with the expectation that new businesses would generate additional sales activity, jobs and tax revenue over time.

The resolution includes limits and conditions meant to protect the city’s interests. Projects would be required to be completed within 18 months, and the incentive program would carry a five-year sunset. Businesses that fail to meet the construction deadline would be required to repay the waived fees along with an added penalty.

Wesley Bethune, chair of the Downtown Development Authority, said the proposal is meant to focus on new investment while still keeping accountability in place. He also said the DDA has discussed separate ways to support existing businesses, including the possibility of bringing back a facade improvement grant program that would offer matching funds for building upgrades. That idea would require separate approval and funding.

City leaders said the proposal reflects a broader effort to strengthen the local business climate and address empty storefronts in the city.

Mayor Alex Case said the city needs to consider practical steps it can take at the local level to encourage business growth and signal that Trenton is open to new investment.

“I think it’s good. It’s something we need,” Case said. “It’s a small start but it’s got to start locally first.”

Commissioner Monda Wooten said she views the proposal as an investment in the community and said economic development efforts often move in stages rather than all at once.

“I want the DDA to get a win, somehow, some way. I really would,” Wooten said. “I’d love to see this happening for the businesses as well.”

The resolution is expected to return to the City Commission for a formal vote at a future meeting. If approved, the policy would create a new framework for using targeted fee waivers to encourage private investment in Trenton.

City officials said the long-term goal is to build momentum downtown and create conditions that make it easier for businesses to open, expand and stay in the community.

• The Commission reappointed Eddie Cantrell to the Dade County Water and Sewer Authority.
• The Commission voted to approve an intergovernmental agreement between itself, the county, the Industrial Development Authority and the Water and Sewer Authority to set proposed SPLOST allocations. The vote on the new SPLOST will be May 19, and should the vote fail to pass, the agreement will become null and void.
• Police Commissioner Mike Norris reported on police activity for January. These included 695 business checks, 11 animal complaints, five domestic disturbance calls, two trespassing calls, 19 suspicious activity calls and 21 traffic accidents. In the month, 167 traffic stops were conducted resulting in 66 citations being issued. 

• Parks Commissioner Terry Powell reported that the community center was rented out for 37 hours in January and that parks staff conducted routine building and grounds maintenance, providing commissioners with a summary of recreational facility usage and upkeep. 

• Emily Richards, director of animal control, briefed the commission on the department’s outreach and service activities, highlighting social media engagement on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok with strong viewership and follower growth. She detailed ongoing services including low-cost vaccinations, spay/neuter and microchipping programs, licensing, humane end-of-life care, trap-neuter-return efforts, rehoming, lost-and-found postings, owner surrenders and adoptions, while emphasizing a renewed social media campaign and education push to increase public awareness and compliance. In the month, the shelter served 48 animals including 35 dogs and 13 cats. The average length of stay for these animals was 12 days. They saw 23 foster placements, conducted 20 spay and neuter surgeries and administered 49 vaccines. The shelter offers a host of free or low-cost services to the public, including a pet food pantry, basic veterinary care, vaccines, spaying and neutering and adoption.
• Fire & Utility Commissioner Lucretia Houts noted that in January, city staff conducted 14 sewer calls, 27 underground locates, five emergency locates, two manhole repairs and one sewer line inspection.
• Streets Commissioner Monda Wooten reported that in January departmental staff responded to 35 work orders, cleaned drains and tiles, patched potholes, took Christmas lights down and did salting work on the roads to help with inclement weather.
• Mayor Alex Case presented the City of Trenton’s year-end financial balances at the latest City Commission meeting, outlining the city’s account standings as of Dec. 31, 2025 and giving commissioners a snapshot of the municipality’s overall financial position. According to the figures presented, the general fund held $664,384, while the sewer fund balance totaled $529,321, and the hotel-motel fund stood at $83,704. Smaller operating accounts showed $2,427.26 in the Trenton Police Department account and $930 in the Trenton Fire Department account, with the payroll account reporting a balance of $14,369. The city’s savings fund was listed at $272,566, and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax accounts showed $60,997 remaining in the 2015 SPLOST fund and $193,477 in the 2021 SPLOST fund.
• Sandy White, president and CEO of Alliance for Dade, presented a February 2026 monthly update to the city, outlining recent marketing, visitor engagement and business support activities, including year-to-date social media performance from Dec. 26 to Jan. 22 that showed Facebook reaching 80,300 users with 3,844 followers and 13,103 page views; Instagram recording a reach of 187 with 580 followers and 1,726 page views; TikTok reporting 2,064 likes, 761 followers and 992 post views. Welcome Center activity showed 125 visitors, 20 residents and 97 phone calls. White also highlighted the availability of free and low-cost online webinars and courses through partner organizations like the Georgia Small Business Development Center and SCORE, promoted as tools for building skills, gaining insights and staying current with industry trends. 
• Jane Dixon with Tree City USA, gave an overview of upcoming activities for seniors and children alike. She also announced the busy schedule surrounding Arbor Day activities.