Doing Business in Nelson County

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
January 8, 2009

PRESENT:
Greg Kelly
Erwin Berry
Alphonso Taylor
Steve Crandall

ABSENT:
Emily Pelton
Bennett Saunders
Natt Hall

There was no public comment

Chairperson Greg Kelly called the meeting to order.

Motion:  To approve the January 8, 2009 meeting minutes. Berry-Crandall (4-0)

Secretary/Treasurer Alphonso Taylor reported that there is a balance of $136,611.50 on a CD that matures on January 12th.  He noted that the interest rates are approximately 0.82% for a 6-month CD and 1.3% for a 12-month or 18-month CD.  Mr. Taylor reported that the Authority currently has approximately $14,000 in checking and reviewed the funds which the EDA has committed and is considering for 2009.  He noted approximately $60,000 in expected expenses and suggested putting $100,000 on a six-month CD with the balance in the checking account.
$10,000 EDA self-funding categories (per diem, mileage)
$7,500 Small Business Development Center
$12,500 Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development
$2,500 Piedmont Workforce Network
$5,000 Legal fees
$2,000 Board Training and Retreat
$1,000 Tourism Summit – March 5, 2009
$10,000 Local food hub project
$5,000 Business Networking Events
$5,000 Colleen Business Park marketing

Steve Crandall reported that JAUNT and Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) have completed their report on a potential Rockfish Valley transportation plan.  He suggested that the EDA ask Wintergreen Partners (WPI) to email to WPI and Wintergreen Property Owners Association (WPOA) to provide information on the proposal.  Greg Kelly suggested doing an online survey to gauge community interest and gather ideas and feedback on the proposal.  After discussion, members directed staff to work with TJPDC to develop the survey questions and post the study and survey on the county’s website within the next two weeks.

Greg Kelly reported that the project to develop an efficient distribution and marketing infrastructure for locally- and regionally-grown and produced product is moving forward with developing a business plan and identifying funding for development.  He noted that as an adjunct to the ongoing work, the group is considering a proposal from another company to develop an interactive website to allow growers and producers to list the products they have for sale and buyers to purchase those products.  Mr. Kelly reported that he will ask the group to make a presentation on the web-based system at a future meeting.

Motion: to elect the following slate of officers for 2009: Kelly-Berry (4-0)
Chairperson – Steve Crandall
Vice-Chairperson – Emily Pelton
Secretary/Treasurer – Alphonso Taylor

Members agreed by consensus to continue meeting the first Thursday of each month at 3:00 pm at The Nelson Center.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Meeting notes attributed to Rural Nelson, Inc.