Doing Business in Nelson County: May 2006

May 2006

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
May 4, 2006

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

Guests:
Allen Hale
Nora Gillespie

Nora Gillespie, Director of the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center updated the Authority on the center's activities during the past year and their plans for this year. She stated that the Center expected a hosting agreement with the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development to be completed within weeks.
Ms. Gillespie reported that two seminars, one titled Customer DrivenSales and Service (11 attendees) and the other Agribusiness: The Essentials (7 attendees), were conducted in 2005, and one in 2004, Starting Your Business. She noted that there is no charge for the seminars as the EDA provides funding. There are three seminars planned for Nelson this year. One under consideration is training for Quickbooks. Other topics under consideration are business planning and marketing.
In addition, the Center provides one-on-one counseling. Ms. Gillespie noted that the Center was trying to build the base of clients by referrals and other means and that it is growing. There was one client in 2005 and there were already five during the first four months of 2006. Mr. Taylor asked where the clients were planning to do business. Mr. Armstrong asked how many were existing businesses. Ms. Gillespie said that they were all existing Nelson businesses. She said that most clients asked about licensing, marketing, taxes, handling employees, paperwork, locating sources of capital and reviewing feasibility plans.
Ms. Gillespie noted that Albemarle County had provided funding for the first time this year ($5000) but that the City of Charlottesville had removed funding from their budget when the real estate tax rate was cut. [Nelson County EDA provided $5000 of funding in 2005] She added that the reduced funding will not affect Nelson. Greg Kelly asked if the Center had any unmet needs or plans for expanding into other areas. Ms. Gillespie said that providing resources such as computers (either in the form of library space or computers themselves as many Nelson businesses are home-based), group training and planning sessions closer to the clients was a top priority. Mr. Kelly asked if there was any need for shared resources or perhaps business incubator space. Ms. Gillespie said that there was no real demand for that, again because of the many home-based businesses. She noted that that may change as businesses grow to the next level, but at present Nelson businesses tended to be of two extremes, either smaller home-based or fairly well established.
Montie Pritchett asked Ms. Gillespie to refresh his memory on how the Center advertised. She responded by saying that the Center was mostly referral based (through the office of Tourism and Economic Development and local bankers) but did advertise seminars through traditional means and had a presence on the County website. Ms. Gillespie concluded by notifying the Authority of an upcoming conference targeted to Veterans (though others are invited) including writing business plans, government procurement and jobs.

Chairperson Barbara Powell called the meeting to order.

Motion: To approve the April 6, 2006 meeting minutes. Hall-Armstrong (7-0)
Treasurer Stu Armstrong reviewed the quarterly report. Total funds available are $146,490.71 with $131,148.95 invested and a checking account balance of $15,341.76.
Allen Hale, Nelson County East District Supervisor, reported on the Board of Supervisors budget session. Steve Carter presented the budget request. Mr. Hale explained to the Authority that during the budget workshop, he had asked the Board ofSupervisors (BOS) to eliminate funding the $6000 requested for operating expenses for the Authority. He stated the draft budget had been prepared using figures that turned out to be short by approximately half a million dollars. As a result, the BOS had gone through the painful process of eliminating many requests for funding. In addition, both the BOS and the School system are faced with rising fuel, retirement and insurance increases beyond their control. Mr. Hale reiterated that the BOS does support the EDA in their mission, but unlike other commissions and departments, the EDA did have funds available for operating expenses. He noted that the County provides staff and financial management support at no charge to the EDA and hoped they would understand the BOS' decision. He said this did not preclude the BOS from providing funding, if available, for specific projects of the EDA but that there was not much room in the budget as the BOS has priorities of the Courthouse renovation, costs associated with renovating the new Tourism and Economic Development building, potential land purchases for recycling centers and the school system.
The results of the broadband study have been received. The consultant is now overlaying the results with GIS. The report should be in hand at the end of May 2006. Natt Hall will share some additional information about broadband efforts in Bland County and Rhode Island with the EDA.

Maureen Corum reported that she is working with a property owner for the 151 entrance corridor sign. Natt Hall and Greg Kelley will work with Maureen Corum on the sign project. ALlen Hale said he would look into maintenance arrangements for existing signs.

The business appreciation event is set for June 15, 2006 at Veritas Winery.

The request for proposal for the Callohill property will be issued by June 1, 2006, with proposals due July 31, 2006. The RFP will include a minimum bid – to meet or exceed the assessed value. Natt Hall and Barbara Powell will review the RFP and manage the negotiation process.
Motion: To authorize Maureen Corum to work with surveyor Massie Saunders to re-flag the property and arrange for bids to bush-hog the property. Pritchett-Hall (7-0)

Motion: To suspend EDA meetings for the months of June, July and August 2006, unless there is business to conduct. Powell-Pritchett (7-0) Maureen Corum will update the EDA on a regular basis on the projects underway.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Meeting notes attributed to Rural Nelson, Inc.