EDAMinutes2022November 3
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 8:00A.M. in the County Administration Building, First
Floor Conference Room, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT: Judy McCann‐Slaughter, Rick Till, and Doug Rinker. Stan Crockett and
Bryan Fairbanks participated by telephone, which was approved by those present.
New Board member, Karen Swecker, was also present but had not been sworn in
yet by the County Clerk of the Court so could not vote.
STAFF: Patrick Barker, Shayla Rickard, Wendy May and Donna McIlwee, Frederick
County Economic Development Authority, Jay Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator, and
Michael Bryan, Attorney
DUE TO LACK OF A QUORUM BEING PRESENT IN PERSON, NO ACTION COULD BE
TAKEN ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Chairman Rinker called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A typographical error in the October 6, 2022, minutes was mentioned. It will be corrected.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. Barker submitted the following report:
Checking Account ‐ Bank of Clarke County as of September 30, 2022 ‐ $22,092.56
Savings Account ‐ Scott & Stringfellow as of September 30, 2022 ‐ $1,419,574.24
EDA STRATEGY
Mr. Barker stated that this strategy, as approved by the Board, helps guide staff as they pursue
Frederick County’s economic development activities. Annually, the EDA Board reviews and
adopts the Strategy to reaffirm and/or modify overall goals and objectives. For updating the
strategy this year, feedback was requested in September from the EDA Board members, the
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | November 3, 2022
strategy with Board feedback and staff revisions was presented in October, and at this meeting,
staff is seeking the Authority’s comments and adoption, if appropriate.
As was the consensus at the October meeting, wording on page 5, option 2, should be changed
to “retaining and cultivating existing businesses.” It will be corrected.
On page 7, “Unemployment Rate,” it was suggested a more current rate should be shown. Mr.
Barker will update with more current information, if available.
EDA BUDGET FY24
Mr. Barker reviewed the draft EDA budget for FY24. The proposal aims to further elevate the
EDA’s efforts of attracting and retaining workforce talent, retaining and expanding existing
businesses, recruiting targeted businesses, and employing policies that keep Frederick County a
competitive business location. The request is an increase of 17.4%, or $112,257, over FY23 and
comes from 3 areas: bilingual services by Small Business Development Center ($15,000 or
13%); conversion of part‐time position to full‐time ($52,000 or 46%) and salary survey
implementation ($45,500 or 41%). He then reviewed a background and justification for the first
2 increases.
Ms. McCann‐Slaughter asked Mr. Barker if the Small Business Development Center continues to
explore possible grants that may be available. Mr. Barker will verify with them.
She also asked Mr. Barker to obtain an update from the Small Business Development Center on
how our annual contribution to them ($33,000) is being utilized.
Mr. Till inquired why funds previously allotted to the Call Team were removed from the
proposed budget. Mr. Barker explained that during Covid, staff members have been making
those calls.
The consensus of those present is that the proposed budget, as presented, was acceptable for
submission and approval by the BOS.
UPDATE TO PRIORITY ACTIONS FOR TARGET SUB‐SECTORS COMPETITIVENESS
Mr. Barker stated that, at the EDA’s July meeting, staff introduced short‐term action plans for
improving Frederick County’s competitiveness in attracting the approved target industry
sectors. The plan is focused on talent and sites/buildings.
Staff has now constructed the listing of occupations with low or moderate potential candidates
exclusively within the Target Business Sectors. The full list was distributed to Board members.
Highlights of this research are as follows:
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | November 3, 2022
1. 171 occupations were discovered that have low to moderate ratios of “potential
candidates per opening” for each sector
2. 42% require a high school degree or less
a. 73% of these occupations require moderate‐term on‐the‐job training
3. 8% require an associate degree
4. 36% require a bachelor’s degree
5. 14% require a master’s degree or doctorate
The next step will consist of the following:
Conversations with educational institutions (public schools, Laurel Ridge Community
College and Shenandoah University) to see if they are offering necessary curriculum for
the occupations.
If any are not offered, review nearby community colleges and universities.
For those occupations without curriculum or degree program, determine the cost and
time needed to create the appropriate curriculum.
Ms. McCann‐Slaughter stated that businesses she interacts with are highly interested in
internships and when discussions are held with businesses, they should be asked if internships
would be of interest.
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at
8:40 a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Doug Rinker Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary