Doing Business in Nelson County

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
October 2, 2008

Present:
Greg Kelly
Steve Crandall
Erwin Berry
Emily Pelton
Natt Hall

Absent:
Bennett Saunders
Alphonso Taylor

There was no public comment.

Chairperson Greg Kelly called the meeting to order.

Motion:  To approve the September 4 and 25 meeting minutes. Hall-Berry (5-0)

Melissa Barlow, Director of Transportation Programs for Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, presented a report on the transportation challenges facing the Rockfish Valley.  She noted that the Valley is facing tough economic times with both the real estate and tourism markets slowing, as well as a 70% reduction in
construction – all affecting local businesses.  Ms. Barlow said that the proposal is to consider a fixed-route transit service between the
Wintergreen Resort Villages and the villages of Nellysford, Glen Mary and Beech Grove with connections to neighboring cities.  She noted that the benefits to a transit service include connections to local businesses; connections between the Valley and neighboring city destinations; environmentally-friendly transportation – 270 cars off the road each day, 162 gallons of fuel saved daily, etc – and maintaining the customer base in the face of rising transportation costs.

Ms. Barlow identified potential riders – Wintergreen residents and associates, international associates (seasonal employees), Rockfish Valley residents, students, area non-drivers and regional riders going to Charlottesville, Waynesboro and Lynchburg.  She reviewed the point of origin for the Wintergreen guests, noting that they typically come from areas with established public transit systems so a transit system would not be an unfamiliar concept to them.  Ms. Barlow then identified potential challenges to a transit system -
- a lack of density requiring more space between transit stops which equals more time spent riding;
- competition from cars – most Wintergreen & Rockfish Valley residents and guests will have vehicles; and
- missing infrastructure – limited pedestrian connections to/from transit stops.

Donna Shaunesey – from JAUNT reviewed the existing transit services – operated by Wintergreen and by JAUNT.  She then presented a phased-in proposal:
Phase I (Year 1-2) – JAUNT Fixed Route Service with a local fixed route connecting the Wintergreen Mountain Inn to Rockfish Valley destinations, ending at Stoney Creek, with a connector route to Charlottesville.  The proposed schedule would provide 3 trips Monday-Thursday at 11am, 5pm and 6pm with return trips at 1pm, 7:30pm & 9:30pm.  There would be stops at Beech Grove, Glen Mary & Nellysford.  The Friday-Sunday service would be hourly from 6:30am-11pm with the same stops.  The fare is proposed at $1.00
one-way.  Phase I would include a connection from the Mountain Inn to Charlottesville at 8am, 10:30am & 5pm (additional times could added during ski season) with a stop in Nellysford.  There would be five trips from Charlottesville to the Mountain Inn and the fare is proposed at $7.00 round-trip.  Ms. Shaunesey noted that the connector to Charlottesville would bring customers from that area to Nellysford, Wintergreen and the County; provide car-free access for overnight guests who arrive by train or plane; add a transportation alternative for resort guests and staff; they could partner with a limousine service for an airport shuttle to the Downtown Transit Center.

Phase II (Year 3-4) – would add one additional route between the
Mountain top and Nellysford Monday-Thursday and add a second bus between Wintergreen and Charlottesville.  Phase II would also add a connection route to Waynesboro with a $7.00 roundtrip fare.

Ms. Shaunesey presented a proposed budget for Phase I utilizing three mountain-worthy vehicles ($270,000) with annual operating costs of $363,550
plus $20,000 for marketing for a total of $663,550 in expenses.  She noted $396,775 in potential Federal Transportation Funds and $2,000 estimated in fares for total revenues of $398,775.  The budget noted $254,775 in local funds required.

Mr. Crandall, noting the $254,000 required local match, asked what the annual set-aside would be for replacement vehicles.  Ms. Shaunesey said that with available Federal funds, the ongoing commitment, including vehicle replacement set-aside, would be approximately $170,000 annually.  Mr. Stu Armstrong said that there are various options for developing the local matching funds and suggested that the group begin with presenting the proposal to various stakeholders.

After discussing the next steps, EDA members asked TJPDC and JAUNT to present the proposal to various county groups, including WPOA, WPI, Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and citizens and businesses.

Motion: To endorse pursuit of a comprehensive
transportation plan as initially outlined by TJPDC and JAUNT, as well as authorize Steve Crandall to spend up to $2,500 for expenses to present the proposal to the stakeholders named above and submit a final proposal. Berry-Hall (5-0)

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.