HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAAgenda2025May1
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, MAY 1ST |
| 8:00 AM |
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING @ FIRST FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
107 KENT STREET WINCHESTER, VA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes – March 6, 2025|| ACTION
Review and approval of minutes from last meeting, if appropriate
3. Treasurer’s Report || ACTION
Review and approval of latest Treasurer’s Report, if appropriate
4. Large Project Ready Sites Concept | Next Steps || DISCUSSION
Update to the strategy to increase the availability of large project ready sites to
facilitate new development and support larger scale projects.
5. FredCo Eats | INFORMATION
Recap on the 2025 Restaurant Week that celebrates Frederick County’s local
restaurants and promote this sector
6. Widget Cup Recap | INFORMATION
Annual competition for area’s high school teams to solve a real-life business
problem for a local employer by using skills acquired through Career and
Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM) courses.
7. Worlds of Work || INFORMATION
Current status of this year’s regional 8th grade hands-on career exploration with
current and future changes
8. Area Development Corporate and Consultant Survey || INFORMATION
Annual survey results of top site location factors by corporate site location
makers and site consultants.
9. Such other business as may come before this Authority
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. in the Winchester Regional Airport Conference
Room, 491 Airport Road, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT: Judy McCann-Slaughter, Diane Kearns, Stan Crockett and Gary Lofton.
Due to personal matters, Bryan Fairbanks and Rick Till participated remotely and
the Board approved their doing so.
STAFF: Patrick Barker, Shayla Rickard, 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
Mr. Barker introduced Nick Sabo, Executive Director and William Pifer, Chair, Winchester
Regional Airport Authority. Mr. Pifer gave some opening remarks and stated the Authority’s
working relationship with the EDA is critical. Mr. Sabo then gave an overview of the airport’s
operations and activities and how they interact with the EDA.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the February 18, 2025, meeting were presented. On motion duly made by
Ms. Kearns and seconded by Mr. Fairbanks, the minutes were approved as presented by the
following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Rick Till Aye
Page 2 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | March 6, 2025
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. Barker submitted the following report:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of January 31, 2025 - $59,404.34
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of January 31, 2025 - $3,105,564.77
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of February 28, 2025 - $6108.72
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of February 28, 2025 - $3,159,217.20
On motion of Ms. McCann-Slaughter, seconded by Mr. Lofton, both Treasurer’s
Reports were approved by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Rick Till Aye
LARGE PROJECT READY SITES CONCEPT | NEXT STEPS
Mr. Barker stated the Board was previously provided a redlined Non-Binding MOU for review.
The majority of the revisions are minor, with the removal of one section. The omitted section
originally required the EDA to reimburse the landowner for completed studies. However, since
the EDA intends to directly fund these studies, this provision was unnecessary.
Since the February EDA Board meeting, Mr. Barker and Mr. Till have met with all members of
the BOS to gather their insight on the program, including feedback on the draft Non-Binding
MOU, and to explore potential opportunities for collaboration such as applications for the
Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. Key takeaways from those discussions were highlighted.
Concurrently, staff has begun evaluating various large land bays and inputting data into the Site
Evaluation Matrix. Discussions with infrastructure contacts are expected to be completed
within the next 30 days. This process will establish a priority ranking for each land bay based on
a calculated per-acre cost, factoring in the site’s asking price and infrastructure costs required
to extend roads, water, wastewater, electric and natural gas (either currently available or
feasible within 12-18 months).
Mr. Lofton asked what our response would be if a landowner is not interested in participating
in this program but would sell their land. Mr. Barker stated a note would be made about that
landowner’s choice and we would move on to another landowner or that could be option B if
no one wants to participate.
Page 3 of 3
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | March 6, 2025
REMAINDER OF MEETING AGENDA
Due to time constraints, the remaining items on the meeting agenda were not covered. Mr.
Barker asked Board members to contact him with any questions.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Barker reminded members of the Widget Cup competition on April 10 at the Emil & Grace
Shihaden Innovation Center.
Mr. Till congratulated staff for their efforts in working with Clausen Chocolates to make their
decision to locate in Frederick County.
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
TREASURER'S REPORT SYNOPSIS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
March 31, 2025
BANK OF CLARKE COUNTY
Beginning Bank Statement Balance - as of February 28,
2025 $6,108.72
Total Deposits $0.00
Total Disbursements $0.00
BANK STATEMENT BALANCE AS OF March 31, 2025 $6,108.72
BANK OF CLARKE - INTRAFI ACCOUNT
Beginning Bank Statement Balance - as of February 28,
2025 $3,159,217.20
Total Deposits $8,947.14
Total Disbursements $0.00
BANK STATEMENT BALANCE AS OF March 31, 2025 $3,168,164.34
TREASURER'S REPORT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
March 31, 2025
BANK OF CLARKE COUNTY
Beginning Bank Statement Balance - as of February 28, 2025 $6,108.72
Deposits
TOTAL DEPOSITS $0.00
Disbursements
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $0.00
BANK STATEMENT BALANCE AS OF March 31, 2025 $6,108.72
TREASURER'S REPORT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
March 31, 2025
BANK OF CLARKE - INTRAFI ACCOUNT
Beginning Bank Statement Balance - as of February 28, 2025 $3,159,217.20
Deposits
3/31/2025 Interest $8,947.14
TOTAL DEPOSITS $8,947.14
Disbursements
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $0.00
BANK STATEMENT BALANCE AS OF March 31, 2025 $3,168,164.34
** $1,907,000 represents proceeds from the sale of the Robinson School properties.
Contact Us
Account
Economic Development Authority of the Co
Date
03/31/2025
Page
1 of 2
IntraFi Cash ServiceSM, or ICS®, Monthly Statement
The following information is a summary of activity in your account(s) for the month of March 2025 and the list of FDIC-insured institution(s) that
hold your deposits as of the date indicated. These deposits have been placed by us, as your agent and custodian, in deposit accounts through
IntraFi Cash Service. Funds in your deposit accounts at the FDIC-insured institutions at which your funds have been placed will be "deposits," as
defined by federal law. Certain conditions must be satisfied for "pass-through" FDIC deposit insurance coverage to apply. To meet the conditions
for pass-through FDIC deposit insurance, deposit accounts at FDIC-insured banks in IntraFi's network that hold deposits placed using an IntraFi
service are titled, and deposit account records are maintained, in accordance with FDIC regulations for pass-through coverage.
Summary of Accounts
Account ID Deposit Option Interest Rate Opening Balance Ending Balance
Demand 3.33%$3,159,217.20 $3,168,164.33
TOTAL $3,159,217.20 $3,168,164.33
CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IntraFi and ICS are registered service marks, and IntraFi Cash Service is a service mark, of IntraFi Network LLC.
Bank of Clarke
PO Box 391
Berryville, VA 22611
Economic Development Authority of the Co
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
00000
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
DETAILED ACCOUNT OVERVIEW
Account ID:
Account Title: Economic Development Authority of the Co
Account Summary - Demand
Statement Period 3/1-3/31/2025 Average Daily Balance $3,159,505.82
Previous Period Ending Balance $3,159,217.20 Interest Rate at End of Statement Period 3.33%
Total Program Deposits 0.00 Annual Percentage Yield Earned 3.39%
Total Program Withdrawals (0.00) YTD Interest Paid 25,706.29
Interest Capitalized 8,947.13
Current Period Ending Balance $3,168,164.33
Account Transaction Detail
Date Activity Type Amount Balance
03/31/2025 Interest Capitalization $8,947.13 $3,168,164.33
Summary of Balances as of March 31, 2025
FDIC-Insured Institution City/State FDIC Cert No.Balance
BOKF, National Association Tulsa, OK $247,699.64
Banc of California Los Angeles, CA 247,699.64
Citizens Bank, National Association Providence, RI 247,688.67
First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company Raleigh, NC 247,699.64
Flagstar Bank, N.A.Hicksville, NY 247,699.64
Fulton Bank, N.A.Lancaster, PA 247,654.33
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Co Buffalo, NY 45.29
Pinnacle Bank Nashville, TN 45.29
Raymond James Bank St. Petersburg, FL 247,699.64
The Huntington National Bank Columbus, OH 247,699.64
Truist Bank Charlotte, NC 247,699.64
Valley National Bank Morristown, NJ 247,699.64
WesBanco Bank, Inc.Wheeling, WV 195,734.35
Western Alliance Bank Phoenix, AZ 247,699.64
Zions Bancorporation, N. A.Salt Lake City, UT 247,699.64
Date
03/31/2025
Page
2 of 2
CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION IntraFi and ICS are registered service marks, and IntraFi Cash Service is a service mark, of IntraFi Network LLC.
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DATE: April 25, 2025
TO: Board of Directors,
Frederick County Economic Development Authority
FROM: Patrick Barker, CEcD
Executive Director
CC: Jay Tibbs
Deputy County Administrator
RE: Large Project Ready Site Program | Current Status
As you recall, at the January meeting, the EDA Board endorsed
proceeding with a plan to expand the number of Large Project-Ready
sites. This approach began with an internal staff assessment to
identify and prioritize potential sites. For our purposes, Large sites
will be defined as 100 acres or more of contiguous property. Project
Ready will be defined as having the necessary entitlements
(industrially zoned) and infrastructure (roads, water, wastewater,
electric and natural gas) currently or could be within 12-18 months.
A critical component of the Large Project-Ready Sites Plan involves
assigning a priority level to each of the identified sites. This
prioritization will be based on a calculated per acre cost, which
considers:
Asking price of the site.
Infrastructure costs to bring roads, water, wastewater,
electric, and natural gas to the site—either currently
available or feasible within 12-18 months.
Staff has contacted all infrastructure providers to acquire input for
the Site Evaluation Matrix. Only a few need to provide the
requested information. Once received, staff will provide the
completed Matrix and recommended next steps. For your review
and discussion, we have included a table to detail the completion
level.
Site Evaluation Matrix
Status
Site A B C D E
Water Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete
Wastewater Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete
Roads Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete
Electric Awaiting Awaiting Complete Complete Complete
Natural Gas Awaiting Awaiting Awaiting Awaiting Awaiting
DATE: April 24, 2025
TO: Board of Directors,
Frederick County Economic Development Authority
FROM: Wendy May
Marketing Manager
CC: Jay Tibbs
Deputy County Administrator
RE: FredCo Eats Restaurant Week
The EDA hosted the 4th Annual FredCo Eats Restaurant Week from January 27 – February 2,
2025. Twenty-two eateries participated, representing stand-alone restaurants, food trucks,
and farms with cafés and markets. Participation criteria are intentionally broad to include
as many local eateries as possible. Participants offered a mix of multi-course menus, meal
deals, and promotional discounts. The EDA measures the success of Restaurant Week
through a post-event survey of participants, asking about their overall satisfaction with the
event, whether it increased awareness of their business, and if it generated new
customers.
2025 FredCo Eats Restaurant Week Results
Participating Eateries: 22
Eatery Survey Results (18 respondents):
• Would Participate Again: 100%
• Would Recommend Participation to Others: 100%
• Event Increased Awareness: 93%
• Event Generated New Customers: 87%
2026 Restaurant Week: January 26 – February 1, 2026
FredCoEats.com is the central hub for information related to the EDA’s FredCo Eats brand
and the initiatives supported under its umbrella.
DATE: April 25, 2025
TO: Board of Directors,
Frederick County Economic Development Authority
FROM: Shayla Rickard
Existing Business Manager
CC: Jay Tibbs
Deputy County Administrator
RE: Widget Cup 2025
Established in 2015, the Frederick County EDA's regional Widget Cup® event is an annual
competition for high school teams drawn from students attending public schools in Frederick
County, Clarke County, and the City of Winchester, Virginia. Participating students solve a real-
life business problem for a local employer by using skills acquired through Career and Technical
Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses.
Each year, the EDA collaborates with teachers at the area's five high schools to field
competitive teams. Teams are comprised of eight students who have demonstrated
competencies in engineering, construction, welding, electricity, audio/visual equipment, and
oral presentation.
Over the course of a full day of competition, the Widget Cup teams will design and build a
product for a local business client who has expressed a real need for an object, tool, or
structure. The project is not announced until the day of the event. Each team is provided the
same starting materials. The students work together to problem-solve, design, and build a
functioning device that the business client will use in their day-to-day operations.
This year’s event was held on Thursday, April 8th with Clarke County securing the Widget Cup.
Additional details of the event success will be provided at the meeting. The Winchester Star
article is attached.
https://thefnp.com/tncms/asset/editorial/76339023-bfa5-4f14-af32-36773fbf1798/
HOT
Widget Cup brings connection, joy and talent to Innovation
Center
By MOLLY WILLIAMS The Winchester Star
Apr 10, 2025
WINCHESTER — The sound of whirring machinery, buzzing power saws and the shutter of camera
lenses filled the air at the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center behind John Handley High
School on Thursday as the eighth iteration of the Widget Cup got underway.
Members of Clarke County High School's Widget Cup Team confer on their build of an outdoor activity cart for the
Winchester-based Fremont Street Nursery during the competition Thursday at John Handley High School's Shihade
Innovation Center. From left are Ben Mason, Caleb Erickson, Brody Murphy, Luke LeMaster, Logan Franz and Loga
LaMaster. The Clarke team won the competition for the fourth year in a row.
Jeff Taylor/The Wincheste
1 of 5
4/24/25, 4:19 PM Widget Cup brings connection, joy and talent to Innovation Center | Winchester Star | winchesterstar.com
https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/widget-cup-brings-connection-joy-and-talent-to-innovation-center/article_13dcdefa-5459-59eb-b9cc-4…1/4
Four teams of eight students from area high schools — Winchester's Handley, Frederick County's
Sherando and Millbrook high schools and Clarke County High School — were tasked with building
and presenting a widget in a matter of hours, putting their carpentry, welding, engineering and
presentation skills to the test.
"The kids are in a pressure cooker right now," said Jim Draucker, the Clarke County team's coach.
"It's the real, real deal. They're doing something in one day that might take a company weeks to do.
... It gives them a chance to showcase stuff that, maybe, nobody even knew they could do."
The Widget Cup was established in 2015 and has happened annually ever since, save for a couple
of years that were lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year, the competition revolves around building an item that serves a local nonprofit. This year,
that item was an outdoor activity cart for the Winchester-based Fremont Street Nursery.
The teams are not privy to what the assigned project will be until it is unveiled at the start of the
competition.
From there, the students have to design, build and create a marketing presentation for their widget,
which is ultimately judged by a panel of five local experts.
Each winning student takes home a $100 Visa gift card, and winning coaches receive a $200 gift
card, all of which are sponsored by local companies.
"There's a lot of moving pieces," said Shayla Rickard, the Frederick County Economic Development
Authority representative who organized the event. "There's students working on one thing and
building another, and then they're putting them back together and meshing. It's pretty intense ... but
they do a really good job."
At the heart of the Widget Cup is connection — between teammates, between peers and between
community members.
Sherando junior Emma Armiger, who lead her team's presentation, said that she enjoyed bonding
with her fellow Warriors, as well as getting to know competitors from other schools.
"It's a big group of people ... from different cultures, different backgrounds," she said. "You all get to
experience each other's presence."
4/24/25, 4:19 PM Widget Cup brings connection, joy and talent to Innovation Center | Winchester Star | winchesterstar.com
https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/widget-cup-brings-connection-joy-and-talent-to-innovation-center/article_13dcdefa-5459-59eb-b9cc-4…2/4
Handley senior Charlie Allen, who worked on his group's media and construction teams, said that
working with his fellow students was one of his favorite parts of the competition.
"Some of these guys, I've never met before," Allen said. "Some of them I know super well. I've
learned how to collaborate those ideas with everybody, having brains that function differently, and
how to get them all to work together."
Asked if he was having fun, Allen said "I'm having so much fun."
That students enjoy competing is also central to the Widget Cup experience.
"Just to see the kids' faces, win or lose, they're always having a good time," said Drauker. "Time
flies when you're having fun. So they'll be full tilt for six hours. They'll feel like they've been doing
this for half an hour. They're having fun, even though it's a lot of pressure."
Another big aspect of the Widget Cup is forming a link between students and local businesses,
many of which sponsor the event and send representatives to observe and consult as the students
work.
Katie Bethke, the Millbrook team's coach, said that in recent years, competing in the Widget Cup
ended up helping one of her students land a job.
"An employer saw her here, saw her doing some welding, and was impressed, reached out to us
after the fact," she said. "She went and did a job shadow there, and they hired her. And after
graduation, she is now employed there long term. So it's a great opportunity for things like that to
happen."
Jon Lasecki, director of engineering for Ashworth Bros, which manufactures conveyor belts in
Winchester, said that from the perspective of workforce development, the Widget Cup is a great
resource for local businesses.
In watching the students putting their skills to use during Wednesday's competition, Lasecki said,
"There's talent just blooming."
At the end of the day, as widgets were completed, presentations pitched and judgments made,
Clarke County High School took home the Widget Cup trophy for the fourth year in a row.
4/24/25, 4:19 PM Widget Cup brings connection, joy and talent to Innovation Center | Winchester Star | winchesterstar.com
https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/widget-cup-brings-connection-joy-and-talent-to-innovation-center/article_13dcdefa-5459-59eb-b9cc-4…3/4
Molly Williams
But all four Widgets will still go on to benefit Fremont Street Nursery, and Rickard believes that all
the competitors walked away with many lessons learned and skills acquired.
"I think they learn teamwork," she said. "I think they learn time management. I think they learn that
they are capable of things they might not know they're capable of."
— Contact Molly Williams at mwilliams@winchesterstar.com
4/24/25, 4:19 PM Widget Cup brings connection, joy and talent to Innovation Center | Winchester Star | winchesterstar.com
https://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/widget-cup-brings-connection-joy-and-talent-to-innovation-center/article_13dcdefa-5459-59eb-b9cc-4…4/4
DATE: April 25, 2025
TO: Board of Directors,
Frederick County Economic Development Authority
FROM: Shayla Rickard
Existing Business Manager
CC: Jay Tibbs
Deputy County Administrator
RE: Worlds of Work
Each year, businesses, educators, and economic development partners from Clarke, Frederick,
Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren Counties, and the City of Winchester come together
to host Worlds of Work — an exciting and immersive career exploration event.
In Virginia, students begin charting their career paths as early as middle school. Worlds of Work
plays a key role in that journey by providing students with a hands-on introduction to a wide
range of career opportunities. During the event, students rotate through 10 distinct industry
sectors—known as “Work Worlds”—where they engage in brief, interactive activities designed
to spark interest and curiosity. Each year, more than 70 businesses participate, offering a real-
world glimpse into the skills and careers that drive our local economy.
This year’s event will take place on Thursday, October 2nd, and planning is already well
underway.
Additionally, as previously shared, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) is organizing a
separate career connection event for seniors on Friday, October 3rd. FCPS will lead the
planning and coordination of that event, with EDA staff available to assist as needed.
DATE: April 25, 2025
TO: Board of Directors,
Frederick County Economic Development Authority
FROM: Patrick Barker, CEcD
Executive Director
CC: Jay Tibbs
Deputy County Administrator
RE: Area Development Corporate and Consultant Survey
Many of the EDA’s recent activities center around short-term workforce needs and site
readiness. These elements are constantly ranked as some of the top locally influenced factors
used by corporate decision makers and site consultants per Area Development Magazine’s
Annual Survey. County EDA staff routinely shapes its strategy based on this annual survey. This
year’s survey results are attached.
Notable findings from the report show some continuing trends and some new entries to the top
locally influenced factors. Availability of skilled labor remains a top factor (#5 for corporate
and #3 for consultants) and reinforces the EDA’s focus on short-term workforce strategies.
Same can be said for available land (#14 for corporate and #3 for consultants). Quality of life is
very strong for corporate #2). This highlights a need to continue to push the implementation of
the Talent Strategy. Other noteworthy results will be highlighted at the meeting.
AREA DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL SURVEY
OF CORPORATE DECISION MAKERS AND SITE CONSULTANTS
2025 RESULTS