EDAMinutes2024August1
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, August 1, 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,
and Gary Lofton. Due to a medical reason, 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.
PARTNER SHOWCASE – ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
Mr. Barker introduced Mr. Lucas Cade, Economic Development Manager, Shenandoah Valley
Electric Cooperative, who was present in person, and Ms. Kayla Coleman, Economic
Development Specialist, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, who joined the meeting virtually.
Both presented an overview of their entity’s operations and activities and how they interact
with the EDA.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the May 2, 2024, 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 Absent
Rick Till Aye
Page 2 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | August 1, 2024
TREASURER'S REPORTS
Mr. Barker submitted the following reports:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of April 30, 2024 - $24,600.72
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of April 30, 2024 - $2,915,435.21
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of May 31, 2024 - $24,600.72
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of April 30, 2024 - $2,926,175.82
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of June 30, 2024 - $28,404.57
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of June 30, 2024 - $2,936,607.62
On motion of Mr. Fairbanks, seconded by Ms. Kearns, the Treasurer’s Reports were
approved collectively by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Absent
Rick Till Aye
INCENTIVE POLICY
Mr. Barker stated that, at the May meeting, the EDA Board reviewed and approved the
Incentive Policy. Some discussion at that meeting centered around earlier engagement by the
EDA Board in the process. Staff suggests the addition of the EDA Chair, or their designee, to the
Project Review and Audit Committee. This committee reviews requesting discretionary
incentives from Frederick County and determines whether to proceed to an executive session
with the Board of Supervisors. He reported that staff is seeking approval of adding this
suggestion to the Policy. Given the time since the initial approval of the Policy, his
recommendation also included forwarding the approved Policy to the Board of Supervisors for
their information.
Mr. Lofton again questioned why this responsibility is passed off to a committee instead of the
EDA Board assuming that responsibility. Mr. Tibbs stated he felt the BOS established this step
as a way to streamline the process.
Mr. Crockett stated this will not get resolved by the EDA Board—it will have to come before the
Board of Supervisors. Mr. Barker suggested that Mr. Lofton broach the subject wit the Board of
Supervisors at our joint meeting.
Page 3 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | August 1, 2024
Ms. McCann-Slaughter made a motion to accept staff’s suggestion as presented. This was
seconded by Ms. Kearns 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 Absent
Rick Till Aye
JOINT MEETING WITH SUPERVISORS PREPARATION
Mr. Barker stated the 2014 MOU between the EDA and Board of Supervisors calls for an annual
discussion and review of the Board of Supervisors’ expectation for economic development. The
last such meeting was held on July 12, 2023, and he distributed a list of planned activities for
the year that were presented and discussed at that time. His recommendation is to structure
the agenda like previous joint meetings. An overview of core EDA functions would kick off the
discussion with highlights of recent projects. Then, the agenda would move into planned
activities from last year. He stated that staff is seeking EDA Board feedback to the agenda and
possible planned activities for the next 12 months, as well as any additional suggestions.
Ms. Kearns suggested giving current project progress reports.
Ms. McCann-Slaughter suggested an update on contacts with grocery stores.
Mr. Crockett suggested adding Mr. Lofton’s concern regarding the Incentive Policy.
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY
Ms. Rickard, Business Retention Manager, stated there will be a smaller scale Employer Expo at
Laurel Ridge Community College on September 12. Employer participation will be limited to 50.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, September 5.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at
8:57 a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Richard Till Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary