Ashville council hears P3 director’s pitch and authorizes village leaders to pursue talks

Brian Hill, identifying himself as director of P3 and as port authority director, told the Ashville Village Council on June 15 that his public-private economic development organization has pursued long-range planning, workforce work and land-use support for Pickway County communities and asked the village to consider joining as an investor. "A rising tide lifts all boats," Hill said, summarizing P3’s mission to spread growth more broadly.

Hill cited recent outcomes he attributed to P3’s work over roughly the past decade: "over $75 million in non-local infrastructure funding, over $700 million in private investment, 5,000 plus jobs and $3 billion in total capital investment," and described investor benefits including board representation, market analysis and project pipeline access.

Council members asked how an investment would work in practice and whether nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) would bind the village. Hill said NDAs might be used in early, confidential negotiations with developers but emphasized that "any binding decisions would be discussed in public in an open forum," and that NDAs would not commit the council to action.

After discussion about next steps, a council member moved that the mayor (Roger) and the village administrator (Bert) engage in discussions with Hill and P3 to explore partnership options and report back; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Council members said a formal resolution with the proposed investment amount and terms would be required before any commitment.

The council did not adopt an investment resolution at the meeting; members instead gave direction to pursue further talks and return with specifics for formal readings and a vote.