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Home My WebLink AboutEDAMinutes2025January2 MINUTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY | THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025 | A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building, First Floor Conference Room, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. PRESENT: Judy McCann-Slaughter, Diane Kearns, Bryan Fairbanks, Rick Till and Gary Lofton. Due to illness, Stan Crockett, participated remotely and the Board approved his doing so. STAFF: Patrick Barker, Shayla Rickard, Wendy May, and Donna McIlwee, Frederick County Economic Development Authority; and Michael Bryan, EDA Attorney. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Chairman Till called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. ANNUAL MEETING Mr. Bryan presided for this portion of the meeting. The following nominations were made and seconded: Rick Till, Chairman; Stan Crockett, Vice Chairman; and Jay Tibbs, Secretary/Treasurer. All were elected 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 Following the election of officers, the first Thursday of each month at 8 a.m. at 107 N. Kent Street was established for regular monthly Board meetings. INDUSTRIAL BOND ISSUANCE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES Due to the illness of the presenter from McGuire Woods, this was moved to a future meeting. Page 2 of 5 Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | January 2, 2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the December 5, 2024, meeting were presented. On motion duly made by Ms. McCann-Slaughter and seconded by Mr. Lofton, the minutes were approved as presented by the following recorded vote: J. Stanley Crockett Aye Bryan Fairbanks Abstain (due to his absence at that meeting) 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 November 30, 2024 - $18,875.72 Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of November 30, 2024 - $3,087,583.60 Mr. Fairbanks asked why we keep $18,000 in a non-interest bearing account instead of doing a sweep to an interest bearing one. Mr. Barker will discuss with Mr. Tibbs. On motion of Ms. McCann-Slaughter, seconded by Mr. Fairbanks, the Treasurer’s Report was 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 PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS – HP HOOD AND DESI FRESH FOODS Mr. Barker explained that the Agreement for HP Hood covers their recent $84.3 million expansion and the Agreement for Desi Fresh Foods covers the location of its operation to Frederick County. Both Agreements have been reviewed by all legal parties and approved by the BOS at their December 11, 2024, meeting. Staff us seeking the Authority’s review, feedback and, if appropriate, adoption of both Agreements. Page 3 of 5 Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | January 2, 2025 Mr. Lofton stated that, although detailed performance reports are required by both Agreements, there is no timeframe established when these reports are to be submitted. Mr. Barker stated this is covered in Section 5 of the Agreements. On motion of Mr. Lofton, seconded by Mr. Fairbanks, both Performance Agreements 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 REMOTE MEETING POLICY Mr. Barker stated that, as required by State Code, the EDA must adopt its Remote Participation Policy on an annual basis. While no changes are currently suggested to the policy, it is crucial that the EDA formally adopts it to ensure compliance. Key points in the policy are that the EDA cannot allow any Board member to participate remotely in a meeting unless the policy has been adopted for that year and for meetings where remote participation occurs, at least four Board members must be physically present to satisfy the State Code’s quorum requirement. Ms. Kearns made a motion to adopt the Remote Meeting Policy. Motion was seconded by Mr. Lofton and 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 LARGE PROJECT READY SITES STRATEGY Mr. Barker stated that, as directed by the Frederick County BOS during the Joint Meeting, the EDA is tasked with creating an innovative and aggressive plan to expand the number of large project ready sites. This initiative aims to enhance Frederick County’s attractiveness to the EDA’s Target Industry Sectors and align with the EDA’s mission to attract businesses that create high-quality jobs and drive new capital investment. Given the competitive nature of site development, a creative and proactive approach will likely be necessary to achieve these goals Page 4 of 5 Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | January 2, 2025 and the plan should also be tailored to leverage the $200+ million available through the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program Grant Program. He further stated many options exist for increasing the number of large project ready sites and any strategy to accomplish this should 1) identify sites, 2) evaluate their feasibility, 3) secure the necessary entitlement, and 4) secure at least a Tier 3 status of the Virginia Business Ready Site Program. Three high-level strategies designed to meet these objectives were reviewed. Plan #1 would begin with a public solicitation to owners of desired sites, followed by a review and ranking process to identify the most promising opportunities. Once sites are selected, the EDA would secure a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the property owner and proceed, concurrently, with an EDA-funded rezoning and an application to the Virginia Business Ready Site Program (VBRSP). Plan #2 follows a similar strategy to Plan #1 but begins with an internal staff assessment to identify and prioritize potential sites. Engagement with landowner(s) would follow to gauge interest and participation. An MOU would be developed, concurrently, with an EDA-funded rezoning and submission of a VBRSP application. Plan #3 involves hiring a third-party consultant to conduct a thorough assessment of potential sites. Following the assessment, the process mirrors that of Plan #2. Mr. Bryan requested information concerning the number of public vs. private sites in other areas. Mr. Barker will obtain a breakdown for the EDA Board. Ms. Kearns asked what happens if the property does not sell after going through this process. She stated it’s important that the property owner don’t feel like their land is being taken away by the government. Also, who determines the asking price for the site. Mr. Barker stated the asking price aspect is important because it has to be included in the VBRSP application. He is most interested in Tier 3 readiness and if the site is market friendly. Ms. McCann-Slaughter suggested looking at the Comprehensive Plan to identify sites for solicitation. Mr. Fairbanks stated a concern with Plan #2 if we do not open to public solicitation. Mr. Barker was asked his preference. He stated that he prefers Plan #2, speed wise, and Plan #1 for fairness. After discussion, the consensus was Plan #2 in 2025, then public solicitation later; Plan #3 eliminated, and Plan #1 later but not in 2025. Page 5 of 5 Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | January 2, 2025 Mr. Barker will work on developing a MOU and creating an evaluation matrix for Board’s discussion in February. Ms. McCann-Slaughter requested the information be sent to the EDA Board before the meeting packet goes out. FREDCO EATS: RESTAURANT WEEK Ms. May, Marketing Manager, reported that the 4th annual Restaurant Week will be January 27 through February 2. The 2nd annual Cultivate Your Agribusiness Conference will be held February 20 at Laurel Ridge Community College. TARGET INDUSTRY STUDY UPDATE Mr. Barker presented staff recommendations for sectors and subsectors as Targeted Industry Sectors, which is identical to previously approved sectors. Staff is seeking the Authority’s input, discussion, and endorsement, if deemed appropriate, to advance our strategic direction. Mr. Lofton asked what industries currently in Frederick County are involved in petroleum manufacturing since that sector is listed under Advanced Manufacturing. Mr. Barker will have that information for the February meeting. SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY Mr. Till reported that he, Mr. Barker and Mr. Lofton had met with the Stephens City Town Manager to discuss the ongoing problem between Frederick Water and the Town as discussed by Mr. Lawrence in his presentation at our December meeting. The Town has received a grant that the Town Manager feels will pay for what needs to be done to correct the problem. Mr. Till thanked Mr. Barker for his effort in helping to get the new Publix grocery store to locate in Stephens City. Mr. Barker will continue with his grocery store contacts. The Winchester Airport will have a grand opening at their new terminal on January 9, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 a.m. ________________________________ ____________________________ Richard Till Jay Tibbs Chairman Secretary