Doing Business in Nelson County: July 2005

July 2005

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
July 7, 2005

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

Absent:
Stu Armstrong

There was no public comment.

The meeting was called to order.

John Holman from Nelson Cable reported that the business is in the process of obtaining the needed right-of-way permits from the state to take the fiber optics underground. He said that the line is now going down Route 751 to tie into Stoney Creek and starting up Route 664. He noted no timeline for completion of the project.

Motion: To approve the minutes of the June 2, 2005 meeting with one correction: Tom Wheaton was present, not Tom Pritchett. Powell-Hale (5-0)

The Treasurer’s Report was tabled until the August meeting.

Members, by consensus, approved a proposed list of goals developed by VA Tech to create a comprehensive broadband strategy for the county. VA Tech is to provide an estimate for the costs for the study.

Tom Wheaton reported that he had reviewed the bids and gave highlights from the various proposals. He suggested that if the county wants the signs to be attractive year-round, plants are not the way to go. Natt Hall said that he liked the idea of a stacked rock wall. Staff was directed to get information and bids on a rock wall.

In July, Allen Hale and Montie Pritchett met with Supervisors Gary Wood and Tommy Bruguiere. Barbara Powell and Natt Hall will meet with two supervisors in August.

Members directed staff to prepare a list of the first 50 businesses so they can be divided up among EDA members for a businesses retention visit. Members agreed that a letter sent to each before a visit would be helpful.

Natt Hall reported receipt of a letter from the County Administrator requesting that the EDA serve as applicant for the county to secure $15,237,000 in Community Facility Loan Program assistance from USDA-Rural Development for use in the development and completion of the County's Government Center
(Courthouse) project. Mr. Hall said that the EDA would request an origination fee of 1/4 of 1% (or approximately $19,000) for serving as applicant. Steve Carter pointed out that the state code limits the fee to 1/8 of 1%. He noted that the county applied for the funding last summer and that the funds have been set aside for the project. Mr. Carter said that the county is waiting on feedback from Rural Development regarding the change of applicant, which should take 1-2 months.

Allen Hale said that he is in favor of charging a fee when the transaction involves a business, but that it does not make sense for one unit of the county to charge another as long as the actual expenses are covered. He said that he would not be in favor of charging the fee as it would cost the taxpayers of the county.

Montie Pritchett said that the EDA is more proactive now and there is a
cost to that. He said that if the Authority is going to continue to be
active, there will be a requirement for funding from the county at some
point. Tom Wheaton agreed and Barbara Powell said that the fee is probably
financeable.

Steve Carter said that he would report back to the Authority when more
information becomes available.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.