2/4/1982 - Special
2-4-82
278'
Board of Supervisors
Salem-Roanoke County
Salem, Virginia
Feb. 4, 1982
Civic Center
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day
in open session at the Salem-Roanoke County Civic Center in Salem, Virginia,
this being a special meeting with the Roanoke County Industrial Fact Finding
Commission.
Members Present: Supervisors; Athena Burton, Robert Myers and
Gary Minter. Commission Members; Billy Branch, C. Weldon Lawrence Jr.,
Wilbert Tester, Gary Wright and William Brenton.
IN RE:
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chairman Athena Burton called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
and welcomed Roanoke County's representatives on the Industrial Fact Finding
Commission.
Supervisor Myers stated the purpose of this meeting is to discuss
ways and means of bringing industrial growth to the County in order to raise
the tax base to take some of the tax burden from homeowners.
Mr. Branch expressed the fact that no direction as to this
accomplishment has been given to the County representatives on the Commission.
Tim Gubala, County Planner, reported on major issues of the County
affecting the industrial and economic development of Roanoke County.
Mr. Tester offered the idea for a "neutral zone" in the valley where
by industry could be located with assistance from all valley governments.
Mr. Lawrence related his experiences with industrial development
in Research Triangle located in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina.
Mr. Branch further stated that the goals of the Industrial Fact
Finding Commission have not been clearly defined and felt a full-time
professional industrial development planner might be recruited since the
Commission is composed of volunteer members.
2-4-82
27Q
"" "
-
-
,
.
.
"
"
Supervisor Burton indicated that an inventory of zonings and
utilities available to areas in the valley is needed to allow the Commission
a basis with which to work.
Mr. Lawrence noted that the Town of Vinton and the City of Salem
do not belong to the Commission.
Mr. Branch is of the opinion that governments in the valley could
jointly hire one professional person to attract and work with potential
industrial developers.
Supervisor Minter expressed his concern that the Fifth District
Planning Commission is not being utilized as a regional agency to sponsor
a professional person in the capacity of which Mr. Branch is referring.
In summation, Mrs. Burton noted that the Industrial Commission
needs to hold a meeting to establish its goals. Also, Mrs. Burton requested
more periodic status reports from the Commission.
Mr. Brenton said he will ask Jim Jones, Chairman of the Commission,
from Appalachian Power Company, to convene the meetings with a prepared
agenda for items of discussion, and that a plan of action for the Commission
be instituted.
Supervisor Myers informed that since William Clark is no longer
in County employ, that Donald F. Flanders, County Administrator, needs to
be appointed in his stead.
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at
4:10 p.m.
~
ACTING CHAIRl1AN