Doing Business in Nelson County: October 2006

October 2006

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
October 5, 2006

Present:
Barbara Powell
Alphonso Taylor
Greg Kelly
Natt Hall
Erwin Berry
Stu Armstrong

Absent:
Steve Crandall

There was no public comment.

All members present were sworn in with their new staggered terms of office by Judy Smythers, Clerk of the Nelson County Circuit Court.

Motion: To approve the September 7, 2006 meeting minutes. Hall-Taylor (6-0)

Treasurer Stu Armstrong reported that the EDA currently has $130,889.29 available. County finance staff has been directed to study re-investment opportunities for the funds.

Dan Shaffer (James Madison University), Liz Knight (JMU), Joan Hollen (Shenandoah Valley Partnership) and Sue Friedman (Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development) presented an overview of the data gathered from the Spring, 2006 Broadband survey mailed to 7,940 households in Nelson County and 4,689 households in Elkton - the two pilot areas for the study - with 509 completed surveys returned. The survey findings indicated that:

- More than 60% of organizations have an Internet connection and all employees are accessing the Internet;
- More than 76% of the respondents use dial-up as their primary means of accessing the Internet;
- More than 96% use the Internet for email, followed in high percentages for browsing, research, banking and on-line ordering;
- More than 59% of respondents were not satisfied with their Internet speed/service;
- More than 43% were willing to pay more for higher quality and faster Internet access;
- More than 74% indicated that better Internet access is vital to them and/or their business over the next five years; and
- More than 90% believe they and their business would benefit from affordable broadband access.

Sue Friedman noted that the region is having problems convincing the private sector that this area of the state is a viable technology corridor. She said that she is hoping to group localities together in the effort. Dan Shaffer said that there is a six-month time life on the survey and suggested that the county participate in the survey again if a larger survey is done in the future. Greg Kelly asked whether the percentages in the data could be converted to actual numbers as that information would be helpful. Mr. Shaffer said that they would provide that information. Liz Knight asked the Members to let the group know how the survey is used and to provide any feedback they might have.
Members tabled further discussion on their next steps until their November meeting.

Motions:
- To adopt a resolution requesting that the Board of Supervisors approve the issuance of up to $7.7 million in tax-exempt bonds to fund the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund's planned museum and conference center on Route 20 in Albemarle County; and
- To adopt a resolution declaring its official intent to issue the bonds in an amount not to exceed $7.7 million with the borrow to pay all costs and expenses connected to the financing and with neither the Nelson County EDA nor the County of Nelson to be legally responsible for the debt of any costs related to the debt.
Armstrong-Hall (6-0) Role call vote – Barbara Powell, aye; Alphonso Taylo, aye; Greg Kelly, aye; Natt Hall, aye; Erwin Berry, aye; Stu Armstrong, aye.

Barbara Powell reported that landowners at Callohill met on September 8th to discuss current problems with Callohill Drive and ongoing maintenance of that road. She noted that the EDA has paid their $300 fee for 2006 and that the group has received an estimate of $2,580 for a quick fix to the shoulder of Callohill Drive where it intersects with Route 29. Ms. Powell noted that one of the problems is getting the owner of the shopping center to attend the meetings even though the shopping center is creating most of the road problems.

Barbara Powell reported that the contract for the sale of Callohill is in process.

Barbara Powell noted receipt of a request from Piedmont Virginia Community College for $8,700 in funding for several programs. Ms. Powell said that she is not interested in funding duplicate efforts as the EDA is already funding the Small Business Development Center for their Nelson programs. She said that she is more interested in funding efforts to work with businesses than with individuals seeking jobs. Members agreed by consensus to decline to fund the proposed projects.

Barbara Powell reported that the closing on the Kappa Sigma bond issuance is due at the end of this month. She said that the EDA is still waiting on information from Kappa Sigma as to whether the payment to the EDA will be made on an annual basis or as a lump-sum payment.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Meeting notes attributed to Rural Nelson, Inc.