Doing Business in Nelson County: January 2006

January 2006

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
January 5, 2006

Present:
Natt Hall
Barbara Powell
Stu Armstrong
Alphonso Taylor
Montie Pritchett

Absent:
Tom Wheaton

There was no public comment.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Natt Hall.

Motion: The minutes of the December 1, 2005 meeting were approved as distributed. Armstrong-Pritchett (5-0)

Greg Kelly, Central VA Electric Cooperative reported that CVEC is now exiting the marketing development phase and moving into full deployment of the Broadband-over-Powerline (BPL) in Nelson. He noted that he has had the service since 2004 with consistent 500KB/second. Mr. Kelly gave an update on the delays that have occurred - equipment manufacturing delays due to enhancements that required test periods; equipment testing delays due to manpower being deployed to assist with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita emergencies; and finally, delays due to additional testing required to meet funding requirements for the Rural Utilities Service loan funding. He noted that there are no obstacles that stand in the way of full deployment in Nelson and installation of the new equipment should begin in early 2006. (NOTE: Updates on deployment are posted at (www.ibec.net/status.asp). Mr. Kelly also asked for public and county support for legislation to be considered by the General Assembly this year to extend the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative lines along Rt. 29 from Lynchburg to Charlottesville, which would give Nelson County access to that line and enhance the overall availability of bandwidth. Authority members directed Maureen Corum to draft a letter of support to Delegate Abbitt. Stu Armstrong presented the EDA operating and capital expenses to-date with a proposed FY06-07 budget. Members, noting several expenses not included in the report, requested that staff obtain those numbers from the county. Further discussion tabled until the February meeting. After review, members requested revisions to shorten and simplify the request for proposal for the disposition of the Callohill property. Further discussion tabled until the February meeting. Maureen Corum presented an update from Sue Friedman, Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development, on the broadband survey in which Nelson will be participating. The survey is being finalized with mailing to county residents expected in early February. Extensive media and community group notification will accompany the survey mailing. Final survey results will be compiled in March/April with presentation to the EDA expected in April.
Motion: To elect the following officers:
Chairperson - Barbara Powell
Vice Chairperson - Alphonso Taylor
Secretary/Treasurer - Stu Armstrong
Pritchett-Armstrong (5-0)

Closed Session
Motion: To end regular session and move into closed session to discuss legal matters and a potential business not yet announced under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act 2.2-3700. Armstrong-Powell. Roll Call Vote: Hall- aye, Hale - aye, Powell- aye, Taylor - aye, Armstrong - aye, Pritchett -aye

Motion: To end closed session. Armstrong-Powell. Roll Call Vote: Hall- aye, Hale - aye, Powell- aye, Taylor - aye, Armstrong - aye, Pritchett - aye

Motion: To return to regular session. Armstrong-Powell. Roll Call Vote: Hall- aye, Hale - aye, Powell- aye, Taylor - aye, Armstrong - aye, Pritchett - aye

Motion: To adopt the following resolution: Be it hereby resolved, the Economic Development Authority of Nelson County does hereby return to regular session having only discussed legal matters. Armstrong-Powell. Roll Call Vote: Hall- aye, Hale - aye, Powell- aye, Taylor - aye, Armstrong - aye, Pritchett - aye

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Meeting notes excerpted from Rural Nelson Inc.