EDAMinutes2024May2
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, May 2, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building, First Floor
Conference Room, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT: Bryan Fairbanks, Judy McCann-Slaughter, Diane Kearns, Stan Crockett,
Karen Swecker and Gary Lofton. Due to a personal matter, Rick Till 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; Jay Tibbs, Deputy County Administrator; and
Michael Bryan, EDA Attorney.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Crockett called the meeting to order at 8:00
a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the April 4, 2024, meeting were presented. On motion duly made by
Ms. McCann-Slaughter 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 REPORT
Mr. Barker submitted the following report:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of March 31, 2024 - $24,600.72
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of March 31, 2024 - $2,905,078.55
On motion of Mr. Fairbanks, seconded by Ms. McCann-Slaughter, the Treasurer’s
Report was approved by the following recorded vote:
Page 2 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | May 2, 2024
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Aye
Rick Till Aye
PARTNER SHOWCASE – VEDP
Mr. Barker introduced Mr. Jason El Koubi, President and CEO, of the Virginia Economic
Development Partnership (VEDP). He gave a virtual presentation covering the overall operation
of his organization with comments centered on their strategic plan.
Mr. Koubi then opened the session for questions from EDA Board members. One of the
questions asked was what, as an EDA Board, should we be working on in the next 12-24
months. His answer was workforce, skilled labor, and how to build an ecosystem for targets.
He concluded by stating that VEDP staff want to bring projects to every locality that will warmly
welcome the opportunity and that they want to make sure it’s a project the locality will
embrace. He complimented Frederick County as being a terrific partner with VEDP.
INCENTIVE POLICY
Mr. Barker stated a red line version of the Incentive Policy had been distributed to Board
members prior to this meeting. The most significant revision is related to the Agricultural &
Forestry Industry Development Fund. The minimum requirements for this program are inserted
for consistency and clarity purposes. Details related to necessary wage levels to qualify have
been updated. Other revisions are intended for clarity purposes. Staff is seeking approval of
the document.
Ms. Kearns questioned if there was a competitive factor for expansions.
Mr. Lofton stated that, on page2, under Qualifications, Minimum Requirements, there may be a
typo---2003 should be 2023. He also questioned the Process section on page 5---if the EDA is
generating an incentive policy, why is the EDA Board not part of the Project Review and Audit
Committee. Mr. Tibbs stated the EDA is merely a funding mechanism and the final decision
whether or not to fund the incentive lies with the BOS. Mr. Barker remarked that he has talked
to his peers throughout the State and they mirror this same process.
Mr. Till stated this should be discussed later and Mr. Barker was in agreement.
Mr. Lofton asked Mr. Barker to discuss his question and Ms. Kearns’ with them and report back
to Mr. Till.
Page 3 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | May 2, 2024
Ms. McCann-Slaughter made a motion to accept the Incentive Guidelines as presented (with
the typo correction). This was seconded by Mr. Fairbanks and approved by the following
recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Nay
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Aye
Rick Till Aye
WIDGET CUP RECAP
Ms. Rickard, Business Retention Manager, gave an overview of this year’s Widget Cup
competition. The event was held at Millbrook High School with five area schools competing.
Students used raw materials donated by seven local companies to construct an outdoor chair
for the hiking trails at Belle Grove Plantation in Middletown. The Widget Cup 2024 was won by
Clarke County High School. Feedback from the event was positive.
Ms. McCann-Slaughter commended Ms. Rickard for going out into the community to solicit
their support and participation in this event.
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY
The Employer Expo will be held on May 8 at Shenandoah University.
There will be no Board meeting in June. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 11.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at
9:03 a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Richard Till Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary