Doing Business in Nelson County: May 2005

May 2005

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
May 5, 2005

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

Absent:
Stu Armstrong
John Spencer

CLOSED SESSION - To discuss real estate.

BROADBAND - Mr. Hall noted the target business study indicates that Nelson County is a bedroom community with multiple difficulties in attracting industry. He said that the EDA accepts that and is looking at ways to make the county more attractive to small businesses. He said that there are ways to make it easier for professionals to move here and continue their businesses and noted that broadband access is one of those tools.

Mr. John Holman and Mr. Joe Lee McClellan with Nelson Cable reported that their business is now starting up Rt. 151 with fiber optics in-ground. The plan is to bring the line down Rt. 664 to Rt. 151 and back to Stoney Creek. Mr. Holman said that they have secured a site for their business office in the area. Mr. McClellan said that their immediate goal was to bring broadband to Wintergreen Resort but that since that time, he has made contact with Adelphia Cable who already has line down Rt. 250 and Rt. 29 from Charlottesville to Lynchburg. He said that if a deal could be worked out with Adelphia, he could run a line up Rt. 151 to Rt. 250 or possibly over to Rt. 29. Mr. McClellan said that he would like to tie all the schools together and eventually provide service to Piney River from Colleen. He said that he would like the county consider assisting his company in writing the grant application for Rural Utility Service funding. He said that it is not feasible to run service to the whole county. Mr. Holman noted that Nelson Cable will soon offer Wild Blue, a two-way, high-speed internet service, which he believes will satisfy most needs in the rural areas.

Ms. Corum said that it will require a multitude of systems to cover the entire county. She suggested a contact with Virginia Tech to have one of their representatives work with the EDA to develop a strategy for coordinating a county-wide plan. Board members agreed and directed staff to make that contact.

GATEWAY SIGNS/LANDSCAPING - Mr. Hale reported that the permit is in process for the sign for south 29. He said that he has talked with Heather Goodwin from the Chamber of Commerce and received permission to place the sign in the location of the current sign. That sign will be used elsewhere. Ms. Corum reported that the landscaping bids are due May 15th and county staff is working on a lighting plan for the signs.

FY 2006 BUDGET REQUEST - Mr. Hall reported that he had sent a letter explaining the EDA's budget request but that funding had not been provided.

COLLEEN BUSINESS PARK SIGNAGE - Ms. Corum reported that staff is working with vendors. Further discussion tabled.

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE - Mr. Hale reported that there is approximately 1,200 sq ft of office space available for rent in The Nelson Center. He suggested that the Board members should be aware of the availability for any business looking for space. Ms. Corum noted that the Rockfish Valley Community Center also has space available for lease.

BUSINESS RETENTION - Mr. Pritchett said that he was chagrined to hear about the loss of an employer in the county and that the EDA never heard anything about the company's problems before they decided to leave the county. Mr. Hale noted that he had had contact with the company principals concerning some problems with a proposed expansion and had offered the assistance of the EDA. He suggested the
Colleen Business Park for that expansion and asked that they contact the EDA if that board could be of any assistance. Mr. Hale said that during that conversation, the principals reported that the problems they had been experiencing were taken care of and Mr. Hale had no further contact from them. Mr. Hall noted the loss of $10-$14 million plus the $1.5 million the company will spend now in the Amherst Business Park.

Ms. Corum noted that in accordance with the process set up by the Board of Supervisors and agreed to by the EDA, the situation was not brought to the EDA for discussion. She noted that she has submitted a report on the issues involved to the County Administrator who has since met with the various departments involved to discuss the process and develop a system for more proactive communication between the various departments involved. Ms. Corum said that unfortunately, there are not resources for a better business visitation and retention program at this time.

Mr. Hall said that one of the principals reported to him that he felt he was not treated well and that Nelson County is not business friendly. Ms. Corum said that the exit interview completed by the business indicated that there is not a pro-business attitude at all levels of the county. She suggested that the EDA could review the established procedure to see if it needs to be fine tuned. Mr. Pritchett said that he has a problem with all the bureaucracy that goes on - from no money for the EDA in the budget to no Supervisors showing up for the meeting with 310 Ltd. Mr. Hale noted that the Supervisors have been doing a lot of extra meetings. Mr. Hall said that all the EDA can do is learn from the experience but that it is a shame to lose the business.

Meeting adjourned.