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January 13 2021 Joint Meeting with Economic Development Authority Minutes
188 MINUTES FREDERICK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY JOINT MEETING WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13,2021 5:30 P.M. BOARD ROOM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA ATTENDEES Board of Supervisors: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman; Robert W. Wells, Vice Chairman;Judy McCann-Slaughter; Blaine P. Dunn;J. Douglas McCarthy;and David D.Stegmaier were present. Shawn L, Graber was absent. Staff Present: Kris C. Tierney, County Administrator; Jay E. Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; Roderick B. Williams, County Attorney; Scott Varner, Director of Information Technology; and Ann W. Phillips, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Economic Development Authority: Bryan Fairbanks; Heather McKay; Doug Rinker; and Susan Brooks were present. Stan Crockett, Chairman; and Rick Till participated remotely. Staff Present: Patrick Barker, Executive Director; Wendy May, Marketing Manager; and Sally Michaels, Business Retention Manager. Also present was Michael Bryan, Legal Counsel for the EDA. CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. CHAIR'S COMMENTS Chairman Crockett thanked the Board for the opportunity to meet. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PRESENTATION Mr. Barker provided an update on the activities of the EDA since the last joint meeting in April 2019, He highlighted accomplishments including: Activity#11 Maintain awareness of current and projected workforce needs and partner with appropriate local and regional partners to create solutions: - Completed the Shenandoah Valley Talent Solutions Strategy Continued support of Manufacturing Week, a Workforce Initiative project, to better inform the public what our manufacturers do and what they contribute to the community Minute Book 46 Board of Supervisors-Economic Development Authority joint Meeting o f January 13,2021 County of Frederick,Virginia 189 - Hosted again an employer expo, a Workforce Initiative project, a regional comprehensive hiring event featuring companies, professional development workshops and fast track training providers Activity#2 1 Encourage development of product, including "ready to go" business sites: -Participated in the Statewide Enhanced Site Characterization and Assessment Study, in which available industrial sites with 25 or more acres were characterized. Resulted in the addition of one new site following the Virginia Business Ready Site Program and completed drone videos of all characterized site. He highlighted Planned Activities for the next 12 months: Activity#11 Partner with appropriate local and regional partners to create solutions for r current and projected workforce needs: - Implementation of Shenandoah Valley Talent Solutions Strategy(digital aspects— website and resource showcase) -Assist the Workforce Initiative Board with project implementation -A workforce model for manufacturing, information technology, and construction similar to the f medical career model) - Enhanced community outreachladvocacy to parents, guardians, coaches, teachers, counselors Activity#2 J Continue refinement of the business sites program: - Finalize a Business Ready Sites Loan Program Agreement with one or more of the characterized sites (Artillery Business Center&Carbaugh Business Center) - Commencement of Renaissance Boulevard is a key component for development of those sites -Complete additional site characterizations when additional sites matching the approved criteria come to market Activity#3 1 Cooperative marketing match program with agribusiness entities: - Creation of a program where two or more agribusiness entities agree to market an eventlactivity together(i.e, peach/apple festival) as a result the EDA would provide a cash match and Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center would provide assistance with the marketing plan. Activity#4 1 Expansion of retention activities: - Identify"gazelle" businesses to add to call team rotation and other retention activities. "Gazelles" are very fast-growing companies. These types of companies maintain consistent and rapid expansion of both employment and sales, Minute Book 46 Board of Supervisors-Economic Development Authority Joint Meeting of January 13,2021 County of Frederick,Virginia I 19© Activity#51 Collaborative marketing with Winchester Regional Airport: - Partner with the Winchester Regional Airport(WRA)to identify realistic development opportunities for WRA, develop marketing materials and a marketing pian and engage companies with large government portfolio and direct government user DISCUSSION The Board, the Authority and Mr. Barker discussed the presentation and new initiatives. Also discussed were possibilities apprenticeships, internships, and collaboration with Frederick County Public Schools to publicize local job opportunities. Chairman DeHaven said the Board is pleased with the efforts of the EDA. ADJOURN The meeting was adjoumed at 6:35 p.m. Charles S. DeHaven,Jr. Kris C.Tierney Chairman, Board of Supervisors Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: Ann W. Phillips Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book 46 Board of Supervisors-Economic Development Authority Joint Meeting of January 13,2021 County of Frederick,Virginia