EDAMinutes2024November7
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, November 7, 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,
Rick Till and Gary Lofton.
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.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes from the October 3, 2024, meeting were presented. Mr. Fairbanks
requested that wording shown on page 3, under “Joint Meeting with Supervisors
Preparation” be modified to read “…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.” On motion duly made by Ms. Kearns and seconded by Mr.
Fairbanks, the minutes were approved as modified 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
TREASURER'S REPORTS
Mr. Barker submitted the following reports:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of September 30, 2024 - $18,875.72
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of September 30, 2024 - $3,068,263.03
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | November 7, 2024
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of October 31, 2024 - $18,875.72
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of October 31, 2024 - $3,078,259.35
On motion of Ms. McCann-Slaughter, seconded by Mr. Crockett, 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
JOINT MEETING WITH SUPERVISORS RECAP
Mr. Barker reviewed topics discussed at the joint meeting with the BOS held on October 23.
Key objectives identified for the next 12 months include: (1) grocery store outreach, (2)
industry sector readiness, (3) talent development, and (4) project ready sites. He stated the
EDA Chair desires feedback and insight from the Authority members regarding the meeting and
the direction discussed.
Ms. Kearns stated she got the impression that number 4 was the highest priority for the BOS.
She also noticed that agriculture was not addressed.
Mr. Lofton feels we need to explore what we can do to enhance small farmers’ ability to
expand and grow and use the agribusiness assets we currently have; i.e., encourage White
House Foods to build larger facilities in Frederick County.
Mr. Barker suggested staff have a conversation with the Visitors Bureau and local Extension
Office to see what could be done to help local agribusinesses.
Mr. Fairbanks inquired as to what is being done now to increase the availability of large project
ready sites. Mr. Barker explained an idea is being developed and will be brought to the Board
later.
EDA STRATEGY FY26
Mr. Barker reported the EDA Strategy is approved annually by the EDA Board and serves as a
guiding framework for Frederick County’s economic development efforts. It is reviewed and
approved each year to conform to evolving needs. This year, staff made routine revisions,
including updates to economic data, incorporation of current best practices and clarification of
key sections. Board members were asked to review the draft Strategy for 2025-26 and any
recommendations submitted to staff by Friday, November 15. Staff will compile Board
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | November 7, 2024
feedback, along with their own recommendations, for further review at the next EDA Board
meeting.
Ms. McCann-Slaughter recommended that site readiness by highlighted in the Strategy, as well
as an awareness that the EDA can issue bonds.
Mr. Fairbanks suggested the inclusion of programs that property owners and/or developers
may not know about.
Mr. Lofton stated we need to engage with legislators about the State Code regarding the
issuance of bonds, as rules may need to be changed.
LIVE.LOVE.SHENANDOAH
Mr. Barker presented an update on this talent attraction marketing strategy plan as developed
for the Frederick County EDA in partnership with other northern Shenandoah Valley localities
by Development Counsellors International (DCI).
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY
Mr. Barker congratulated Wendy May, Marketing Manager, on her graduation from the
Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at
8:50 a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Richard Till Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary