KILMARNOCK—The Kilmarnock Planning Commission on Monday, June 12, continued its discussion on regulating formula businesses in the Steptoe’s District.
Zoning administrator Marshall Sebra opened the discussion saying it would be crucial to define “formula business.”
Planning commission chairman Neill Shultz initially threw out a loose definition, saying a formula business is one that has a large number of locations under the same name, such as Dollar General or Walmart. Shultz encouraged initial thoughts on new formula businesses coming to town.
From the audience, Mayor Shawn Donahue made remarks regarding the lack of community involvement and consideration national franchises have in rural areas.
Donahue noted when you go to Dream Fields, there are no signs of national corporate sponsors or no franchises named on the backs of jerseys.
“These businesses are not the ones giving back to the community. You don’t see them donating to the Kilmarnock Museum or the Boys & Girls Club. That comes from our local businesses…There is another side to this. These big businesses take a lot of money from the town, they don’t give money….
