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MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2025 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building, 1st Floor
Conference Room, 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT: Judy McCann-Slaughter, Diane Kearns, Rick Till and Gary Lofton. Stan
Crockett was absent due to a personal reason and Bryan Fairbanks was absent due
to a medical reason. Both participated remotely and their participation was
approved by the Board members present.
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.
PUBLIC HEARING - MODIFICATION OF REVENUE BONDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
VILLAGE AT ORCHARD RIDGE
Mr. Bryan introduced Allison Combs, VP Sales, Marketing and Communication at Orchard
Ridge who gave an overview of the facilities. He also introduced Mr. Mike Graff of
McGuire-Woods who explained the requested modification.
There was no one present for the Public Hearing so it was closed.
Ms. Judy McCann-Slaughter made a motion to approve the resolution with modifications,
which 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
Tina Murphy Absent
Rick Till Aye
A copy of the resolution is attached at the end of these minutes.
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | June 5, 2025
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the May 1, 2025, meeting were presented. On motion duly made by Ms.
McCann-Slaughter and seconded by Mr. Crockett, the minutes were approved as presented by
the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Abstain (due to absence at that meeting)
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Tina Murphy Absent
Rick Till Aye
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. Barker submitted the following report:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of April 30, 2025 - $2189.22
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of April 30, 2025 - $3,176,847.02
On motion of Mr. Lofton, seconded by Ms. Kearns, the Treasurer’s Report was
approved by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Tina Murphy Absent
Rick Till Aye
INCENTIVE PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS – CLASEN QUALITY CHOCOLATE
Mr. Barker reviewed a resolution and performance agreements (State and County) for Clasen
Quality Chocolate who will locate its operation in Frederick County. All parties’ legal counsels
have reviewed and approved the performance agreement, as well as the Frederick County
Board of Supervisors. Under the Virginia State Constitution, localities are prohibited from
providing direct funding to private entities. To comply, EDAs serve as the designated parties in
performance agreements that include financial assistance. The EDA’s responsibilities include
auditing performance and administering funding. Staff is seeking the Authority’s adoption of
the resolution.
Page 3 of 4
Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | June 5, 2025
Mr. Lofton made a motion to approve the resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Crockett and
approved by the following recorded vote:
J. Stanley Crockett Aye
Bryan Fairbanks Aye
Diane Kearns Aye
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Tina Murphy Absent
Rick Till Aye
PERFORMANCE LARGE PROJECT READY SITES CONCEPT
Mr. Barker provided an update to the strategy to increase the availability of large project ready
sites to facilitate new development and support larger scale projects. He stated engagement
with property owners has begun and they appear to be open to meeting, which should begin in
the coming week.
EDA PARTNER SHOWCASE
Mr. Barker stated that, over the past 18 months, the EDA has received presentations from
various EDA partners designed to give the EDA Board members a better understanding of the
partner’s role in implementing the EDA strategy. If the Board would like to continue to receive
these presentations, staff presented some suggestions.
All present felt these presentations have been helpful and suggested some possibilities for
future ones: Virginia Inland Port, HIVE, fiber optics, residential and commercial realtors,
electric co-operatives, and Frederick Water.
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY
Mr. Barker reported that the college careers familiarization tour held on May 30 went well with
20+ participants and included a young professionals panel and an employer panel.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at
8:40 a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Richard Till Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary