EDAMinutes2024October3
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2024 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, October 3, 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, Rick Till and
Karen Swecker.
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: Chairman Till called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
LAUREL RIDGE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Mr. Barker introduced Diana Patterson, Bilingual Consultant at the Small Business
Development Center (SBDC), who gave an update on activities and results of the programs
offered at the SBDC. She reported the SBDC has assisted 389 businesses since the start of
the current fiscal year to today’s date, which resulted in 26 new jobs, nearly $4 million in
grants/loans, and $349,000 in reported increased sales for Frederick County. The Center
has also assisted 100 Hispanic/Latino clients through their counseling outreach program,
which has resulted in 6 business start-ups, 31 new jobs, and an increase of $1.7 million in
new sales. Ms. Patterson introduced the owner of Lucy’s Custom Arrangements who gave
a testimonial for the help she received from the SBDC.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the August 1, 2024, meeting were presented. On motion duly made by
Ms. Kearns and seconded by Ms. McCann-Slaughter, the minutes were approved by the
following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Absent
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Absent
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Aye
Rick Till Aye
Page 2 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | October 3, 2024
TREASURER'S REPORTS
Mr. Barker submitted the following reports:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of July 31, 2024 - $21,280.72
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of July 31, 2024 - $2,954,569.55
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of August 31, 2024 - $20,013.22
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of August 31, 2024 - $2,965,454.33
On motion of Mr. Fairbanks, seconded by Ms. Kearns, the Treasurer’s Reports were
approved collectively by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Absent
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Absent
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Aye
Rick Till Aye
REMOTE MEETING POLICY
Mr. Barker reported that staff is requesting approval of updates to the EDA’s Remote Meeting
Policy in light of recent changes to the State Code regarding remote meetings. In addition, the
Code says the EDA should be adopting this policy annually. He further stated that the EDA must
adopt a policy prior to having any Board member participate remotely in a meeting and, that
for any meeting where a member or members participate remotely, a minimum of four Board
meetings is required to be physically present to meet the quorum requirement.
On motion of Ms. McCann-Slaughter and seconded by Mr. Fairbanks, the Board approved the
adoption of the proposed revisions as presented by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Absent
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Absent
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Karen Swecker Aye
Rick Till Aye
Page 3 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | October 3, 2024
JOINT MEETING WITH SUPERVISORS PREPARATION
Mr. Barker reviewed a current draft of key topics to be presented at the joint meeting with the
BOS on October 23, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. He stated the goal of the joint meeting is to provide an
update and discussion on the direction of the EDA and its strategic initiatives and to gain a
clearer understanding of the BOS’s expectations and priorities regarding economic
development.
Mr. Fairbanks stated a lack of private schools in the area is an attraction problem for local
companies, especially with the overcrowding of local public schools. He also suggested showing
ROI would be valuable when discussing specific programs and for overall EDA spending when
giving an overview of the local economy.
Ms. McCann-Slaughter remarked that a “goal” should be to increase site readiness.
FALL EMPLOYER EXPO RECAP
Ms. Rickard, Business Retention Manager, gave a report on this Expo held on September 12,
2024, at Laurel Ridge Community College. Fifty-one employers participated and 204 attendees
registered.
She also reported that October 4, 2024, is National Manufacturing Day and a celebration will be
held on that day at The Hive at Shenandoah University. The program will be an incentives and
training resources update.
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY
Ms. Kearns inquired if any local grant proposal had been submitted to GO Virginia and if a
presentation on it would be given. Mr. Barker stated he is working on this.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at
9:02 a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Richard Till Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary