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MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
| THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025 |
A meeting of the Frederick County Economic Development Authority was held on
Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building, 1st Floor
Conference Room, 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Rick Till, Gary Lofton, Stan Crockett, Tina Murphy and
Bryan Fairbanks. Judy McCann-Slaughter was absent due to a medical reason and
her remote participation was approved by the Board members present.
STAFF: Patrick Barker, Shayla Rickard, Wendy May and Donna McIlwee, Frederick
County Economic Development Authority; Jay Tibbs, Assistant County Administrator;
and Michael Bryan, EDA Attorney.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Chairman Till called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
PARTNER SHOWCASE – WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS AT LAUREL RIDGE COMMUNITY
COLLEGE
Mr. Barker introduced Jeanian Clark, VP Workforce Solutions, Laurel Ridge Community
College, who was participating remotely. She then introduced Becky McKee, Director,
Programming; and Anna Teter, Director, Operations, who were present in person.
Ms. Clark presented an overview of the workforce training program offered at Laurel
Ridge.
Members of the EDA Board expressed interest in exploring the possibility of some EDA
funding for Frederick County students who want to enroll in Fast Forward programs tied
directly to our industry targets. Mr. Barker was directed to put something together for
presentation at the September Board meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the June 5, 2025, meeting were presented. On motion duly made by Ms.
Kearns 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
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | August 7, 2025
Gary Lofton Aye
Judy McCann-Slaughter Aye
Tina Murphy Aye
Rick Till Aye
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. Barker submitted the following report:
Checking Account - Bank of Clarke as of June 30, 2025 - $1690.22
Intrafi Account – Bank of Clarke as of June 30, 2025 - $3,201,190.83
On motion of Mr. Lofton, seconded by Mr. Fairbanks, 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 Aye
Rick Till Aye
LARGE PROJECT READY SITES CONCEPT
Mr. Barker reported that staff has actively engaged infrastructure providers to develop a
comprehensive Site Evaluation Matrix. In consultation with the Assistant County Administrator
and the EDA Chair, each site was assigned a priority level based on strategic and cost-efficiency
criteria. Initial discussions have already been held with contacts for the top priority site. He is
cautiously optimistic about this discussion and has found that the timeline for extending
infrastructure is 8-10 years.
He presented two options: smaller tracts (less than 100 acres) or pursuing rezoning only for
larger tracts.
Mr. Crockett stated there are lots of sewer and power projects due to growth right now and
funds are limited.
Mr. Lofton asked if we downsize to smaller tracts, is there sewer available in the short-term for
those sites.
Ms. Kearns stated that landowners are thinking short-term, not 8-10 years. Mr. Barker stated
the landowner agreement could be changed to just cover rezoning.
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Frederick County EDA Meeting Minutes | August 7, 2025
The Board recommended the following for Mr. Barker to consider:
1) Change timeframe in Agreement;
2) Consider alternates that make sense to move the County down the line;
3) Look at some smaller sites and do an evaluation on.
SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY COME BEFORE THIS AUTHORITY
Mr. Barker gave a data center update, reporting that staff has been directed to put together
fact sheets about data centers. Ms. Kearns stated she would like to be a part of any community
outreach on data centers.
Mr. Barker reported the EDA office will be moving to the County Administration building on
August 12.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before this Authority, the meeting was adjourned at
9:05 a.m.
________________________________ ____________________________
Richard Till Jay Tibbs
Chairman Secretary