Doing Business in Nelson County: April 2004

April 2004

Nelson County Industrial Development Authority
April 1, 2004

Present:
Allen Hale
Natt Hall
Tom Wheaton
Barbara Powell
Montie Pritchett
Stu Armstrong

Absent:
John Spencer

Board of Supervisors:
Gary Wood
Tommy Bruguiere

Guest:
Heather Goodwin

Chairperson Allen Hale called the meeting to order.

Closed Session
Motion: To end regular session and move into closed session to discuss a business prospect under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act 2.2-3711-A5, Wheaton-Hall. Roll Call Vote (6-0)

Motion: To end closed session. Armstrong-Wheaton. Roll Call Vote. (6-0)

Motion: To return to regular session. Hall-Powell. Roll Call Vote. (6-0)

Motion: To adopt the following resolution: Be it hereby resolved, the Industrial Development Authority of Nelson County does hereby return to regular session having only discussed a business prospect who has not yet been announced. Pritchett-Powell. Roll Call Vote. (6-0)

Motion: To approve the minutes of the February 25, 2004 minutes with one correction: Montie Pritchett was present. Armstrong-Powell (6-0)

Stu Armstrong reported that $5000 had been transferred from the Literary Fund to the operations fund to cover approved invoices.

Senate bill 152, authorizing the County to change the name of the organization to
Nelson County Economic, is awaiting the governor≠s signature.

Discussion concerning the gateway signs was tabled until May meeting.

Discussion regarding the target industry study was tabled until May meeting.

At the February IDA meeting, the IDA discussed the purchase of the land located in the Colleen Business Park in order to facilitate the process for potential businesses. Allen Hale asked Gary Wood to give the IDA background on the agreement among the parties responsible for the Colleen Business Park land. Gary Wood explained that the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative owns the property. There is a memorandum of understanding among the Co-op, Service Authority and the County. The land must sell for $3,000 per acre and any potential business must have the approval of the 3 parties prior to sale. He reviewed past sales and potential buyers, noting that the timetable for the transfer of the land had not been an issue in any of the sales. Gary Wood said that CVEC would be willing to sell the land to the IDA, but would probably ask to retain veto power for any potential business.

Gary Wood and Tommy Bruguiere were invited to the IDA meeting to discuss the creation of a process for working with business prospects. Gary Wood recommended a parallel track for the process, with both boards sharing the same information at the same time through staff presentations. The initial information gathering might be done by representatives of both boards with all members of both boards making the final decisions. In addition, County staff should be given some direction for the initial contact and the process for handling those contacts.
Maureen Corum was asked to draft a process policy for both boards' approval.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.