Doing Business in Nelson County

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
August 7, 2008

Present:  Greg Kelly, Erwin Berry, Emily Pelton, Bennett Saunders, Natt Hall, Alphonso Taylor, Maureen Kelley Corum

Guest: Connie Brennan

Public Comment:  Connie Brennan thanked the EDA members for their leadership in promoting economic development and tourism. She applauded their strategic planning process and encouraged them to support the Piedmont Workforce Network, which is now under the governance of the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development.  TJPED director Mike Harvey will be asked to promote the career center at the Nelson Center.

Chairperson Greg Kelly called the meeting to order.

Natt Hall reviewed the broadband planning project. Nelson County is one of two localities who have been awarded phase three funding to complete the implementation assessment process.

Steve Crandall continues to work with the Planning District Commission (PDC) and JAUNT to analyze and report with recommendations on the feasibility of a fixed route public transit service in the Rockfish Valley area. The PDC has requested that there be an additional component to the project, a request for funding from VDOT’s Transportation and Mobility Planning Division (TMPD) Annual Rural Transportation Planning Grant. This would fund a full-blown feasibility study.  Connie Brennan suggested that rail be included as part of the study.

The memorandum of understanding for the Colleen Business Park has been approved by the Board of Supervisors and the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative. The Service Authority is scheduled to meet on the matter in August.

The Authority discussed the comprehensive economic development plan. The County has received a proposal from the Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia. Region 2000 is planning to conduct a regional comprehensive economic development plan and Nelson County could participate in that. Authority members were asked to review the Weldon Cooper proposal and continue the discussion at the next meeting.

The Central Virginia Community Food Center project was discussed. The goal of the group is to create the required infrastructure to inspire and incubate small local food business. Concept components include: community co-packer, cannery and kitchen; area growers distribution center; meat processing facility; food classrooms.  The discussion is being facilitated by the the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development.

Motion:  To appoint Alphonso Taylor to serve as Secretary/Treasurer of the EDA. Hall-Berry (6-0)

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.