Doing Business in Nelson County: February 2005

February 2005

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
February 3, 2005

Present:
Natt Hall
Allen Hale
Montie Pritchett
Stu Armstrong

Absent:
Tom Wheaton
John Spencer

Debbie Kurtz, 310 Limited, summarized the target business study results, completed in November 2004. The study was commissioned to identify target businesses; what the study revealed is that a business retention and image development program should precede the new business recruitment efforts begin.

First Step Recommendations:
Leaders to develop their vision for incremental growth
Design and assign leadership roles to focus on current activities as well as that need to achieve the vision for growth
Identify county leaders who are positioned to develop local partnerships to facilitate infrastructure and support for business success and growth
Develop local inventory
Develop an existing industry retention and growth strategy
Develop a baseline of existing industry needs and wants
Implement a quarterly visitation program
Develop a sustained communication forum for internal market (i.e. Local business leaders, county leadership) that shares information, plans and positively raises awareness
Create a vehicle to publicly acknowledge local industry accomplishments and growth
Develop a means for identifying and nurturing local entrepreneurs for business growth "economic gardening"
Develop an internal marketing plan that communicates leadership roles, plans and promotes community pride.
Create an internal BRAND. The brand that emerges should be one that is based on Nelson's vision for itself and not on a contrived advertising strategy.
Develop a physical Main Street location that can support entrepreneur growth, tourism attraction and small service industry use.
Create a virtual presence for the county to come together using the web
Initiate a biannual visitation program to state VEDP offices to stay top of mind and promote the area's accomplishments.
Meet and align the needs and wants of the County with the Thomas Jefferson
Partnership and assess the value of this relationship.

New Business Development
With measurable progress in the previously mentioned internal marketing steps including, plans or actions toward for improvements and improved public buy-in -- the County can then proceed to implement its
NATIONAL marketing plan to attract industry targets. Beyond the implementation of the domestic plan an INTERNATIONAL initiative is also recommended for the future.

The March 3, 2005 meeting will be held at 3:00 pm and be dedicated to the discussion of a work plan to formulate a strategy to follow the recommendations by 310 Ltd., specifically related to the broadband and educational opportunities.

Chairperson Natt Hall called the meeting to order.

Resolution: Therefore, be it resolved that the Nelson County Economic Development Authority hereby recognizes the outstanding leadership of Allen Hale during his tenure as Chairperson in the year 2004.

During Allenâs year, the EDA made significant progress toward its strategic goals. A few of the accomplishments that occurred during Allenâs year include:

Work toward the replacement of the Route 29 gateway signs
Developed relationships with other economic development organizations
Followed the zoning ordinance process as it relates to home occupation and business development
Secured a bridge loan for California Side Car bond issue
Created a working budget for 2005
Sponsored legislation enabling any locality to change its IDA to EDA - including Nelson County's
Created Standard Operating Procedures for handling business prospects and County incentives ö working with the Board of Supervisors
Callohill property secured
Funded a loan for a prospectâs market feasibility study
Changed bylaws to better reflect operations

On behalf of the EDA, we appreciate your commitment to making Nelson County a better place to live and work.

Motion: To approve the January 6, 2005 meeting minutes. Pritchett-Hale (4-0)

There was no Treasurerâs Report

Allen Hale reported that the Building Inspections department is handling the communication with Miss Utility and VDOT for the installation of the gateway signs.

Motion: To authorize Chairperson Natt Hall to respond to the January 25, 2005 memorandum from the County Administrator regarding the Boards and Commissions Appointments to convey the EDAâs appreciation the Board of Supervisors action on this item (Sec. 2-154) and encourage the implementation and enforcement of the policy. Pritchett-Armstrong (4-0)

Natt Hall distributed the copy of the letter from the EDA that was sent to the members of the General Assembly, endorsing the additional funding for the Virginia SBDC networks, including the Central Virginia SBDC in Charlottesville

Also distributed was the letter of support for the Lovingston Business District Revitalization Project, supporting the planning process for Lovingston.

The March 3, 2005 meeting will be dedicated to formulating a strategy for following up on the target business study recommendations ö specifically the broadband and the vocational technology issues.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.