EDAMinutes2023July6
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2023 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building, First Floor
Conference Room, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT: Rick Till, Diane Kearns, Judy McCann-Slaughter, Bryan Fairbanks, Stan
Crockett, and Gary Lofton. Due to business reasons, Karen Swecker participated by
phone, which was approved by Board members present.
STAFF: Patrick Barker, Shayla Rickard, Wendy May and Donna McIlwee, Frederick
County Economic Development Authority; Michael Bryan, Attorney; and Jay Tibbs,
Deputy County Administrator
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Chairman Till called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the May 8, 2023, meeting were presented.
On motion duly made by Ms. Kearns and seconded by Mr. Fairbanks, the minutes were
approved by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Aye
Rick Till Aye
TREASURER'S REPORTS
Mr. Barker submitted the following reports:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke County as of April 30, 2023 - $30,864.19
Savings Account - Scott & Stringfellow as of April 30, 2023 - $1,491,944.87
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke County as of May 31, 2023 - $48,994.19
Savings Account - Scott & Stringfellow as of May 31, 2023 - $1,496,268.60
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | July 6, 2023
On motion of Mr. Fairbanks, seconded by Mr. Crockett, the Treasurer’s Reports were
approved by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Aye
Rick Till Aye
Mr. Tibbs reported that, effective June 15, 2023, funds in the Scott & Stringfellow account had
been moved to an Intrafi Insured Cash Sweep account with the Bank of Clarke County as
approved by the Board at the May 8, 2023, meeting.
CONVERSION OF THE M1 AND M2 ZONING DISTRICTS FROM SIC TO NAICS
Mr. Barker explained that Frederick County’s Planning and Development Department is
proposing to amend the County’s industrial zoning districts M1 (Light Industrial), M2 (Industrial
General) and TM (Technology-Manufacturing Park) to update and covert to the North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS), an alternative system that is maintained and updated on
a regular basis. As amended, the “Allowed Uses” list for each district was updated to reflect
NAICS terminology and a statement added to the “Intent” section specifying how the Zoning
Administrator may interpret use definitions using those provided through NAICS resources.
Given the broad impact this change will have on the Zoning Ordinance, the information
contained therein is limited only to the use tables impacted. Other sections of the ordinance
that reference SIC will also be amended to ensure consistency. Staff is seeking EDA Board
direction regarding the need or desire to provide a formal comment of support regarding the
proposed ordinance amendments.
Mr. Wyatt, Planning Director, then gave an overview of the proposed additions and deletions.
Ms. Kearns asked if a more comprehensive rewrite of the Zoning Ordinance had been
considered. Mr. Wyatt replied that it is a future project.
Following discussion, the Board agreed to submit a letter of support for the proposed changes
from the EDA.
JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PREPARATION
Mr. Barker stated the joint meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 12, at 6 p.m. and will
focus on the current direction and activities of the EDA, as well as provide an opportunity for
both Boards to discuss expectations for economic development. The proposed agenda is
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | July 6, 2023
structured around the recently revised EDA Strategy. Each one of the four major goals will be
defined and a few activities highlighted along with measurements. It will conclude by
highlighting a few planned activities under each goal. He then showed the Board the proposed
slideshow and stated staff is seeking Board feedback.
Ms. McCann-Slaughter stated she feels the BOS is interested in local successes (ROI), as well as
a comparison between Frederick County and similar communities—i.e., what achievements our
efforts have produced, highlight successes of the past year, etc.
Other suggestions were to include something about the Employer Expo and internships.
PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS OF TARGET INDUSTRIES
Mr. Barker presented a review of recent announcements from the targeted industries for the
past 12 months.
Ms. McCann-Slaughter asked if there was any way to identify why certain states were more
successful.
EDA BUDGET FY24 FINAL
Mr. Barker provided a copy of the EDA’s FY24 budget as approved by the BOS. Any
questions/comments should be directed to him.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Fairbanks inquired about the status of the Hope Drive property. Mr. Bryan stated it may
close in August.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at 9
a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Richard Till Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary