HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAMinutes2025March6MINUTES
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.
RichardTill JayTibbs
Chairman Secretary