HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/2016 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County
Roanoke County Administration Center
Finance Conference Room,3ru1 Floor
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke,Virginia 24018
Minutes
Wednesday,October 19,2016,9:00 A.M.
Members Present
Chairman-Steve Musselwhite
Vice Chairman-Woody Windley
Greg Apostolou
Max Beyer
Bill Branch
Steve Anderson
Kirtesh Patel
Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer
Ruth Ellen Kuhnel,Counsel
Glenna Ratcliffe
Members Absent
Ssunny Shah
Leon McGhee
Dan Toti
Guest
Richard Peters,Vinton Assistant Town Manager;Brian Carter,Finance Manager,
The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County,Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center.
CALL TO ORDER,
Chairman Steve Musselwhite postponed roll call until a quorum was established..
fi
REQUEST TO POSTPONE,ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
ITEMS
It was requested that the GrowthWheel Training Program Presentation be moved to first on the
agenda
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BRIEFING—GROWTH WHEEL PROGRAM PRESENTATION& GRANT REQUEST
Jay Brenchick Economic Development Manager delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the
GrowthWheel Training Program.
The Small Business Development Center will be presenting a 10-session program beginning in
January of 2017. The GrowthWheel Training Program is designed to help early stage and
growing companies get focused, set an agenda,make decisions, and take action. Sessions will be
held bi-weekly with programs tailored to business growth needs. The cost for each business to
participate is$250 and they must have been in business for at least two years.
The program is a hands-on, action-oriented program and will help entrepreneurs at all stages
overcome barriers to growth. The program is an alternative to the conventional business plan.
Upon successful completion of 9 out of 10 program sessions, Roanoke County and Roanoke City
based participants can apply for a full reimbursement of the class fee.
At this time,the Chairman determined a quorum was established and the meeting was
called to order.
A short discussion ensued regarding the GrowthWheel program timeline, the promotional
activities used to get the word out and how companies would be chosen.
Steve Anderson made a motion to provide grants to participating Roanoke County businesses in
an amount not to exceed$3,000($250.00 per business). The motion was seconded by Max
Beyer and carried by unanimous voice vote.
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 17,2016 MINUTES
A motion was made by Greg Apostolou and seconded by Woody Windley to approve the
minutes of'August 17, 2016 as written. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
FINANCE REPORT
Brian Carter, Finance Manager, presented the Financial Report for the month ending September
30, 2016. He advised the Board that the County had recently transferred to a new financial
system and reviewed the new format with members. He stated the financial report includes EDA
Administration and the Vinton Facade Grant. The County has received the $5,000 Facade grant
contribution from the Town of Vinton, with $5,000 remaining to complete their $10,000
County/Town match. He stated the cash balance in the EDA account is $662,095.73. He stated
the audited numbers should be ready by the November meeting.
After a motion by Greg Apostolou and second by Ssunny Shah,the financial report was accepted
as presented. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
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NEW BUSINESS
Downtown Vinton Facade Grant Requests:
Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Vinton,presented a Façade Grant request
from Annette Patterson for Pollard Street Pawn and Gun. He pointed out that Annette Patterson,
Executive Director of the Advancement Foundation, had requested and been granted a grant in
May of 2015 for renovation work on this address but had never requested the funds as the work
was not completed. She is requesting to rescind that grant. He wanted to be clear this request is
not in addition to the prior request. He gave a brief description of the work to include replacing
the windows and doors and updating signage and lighting. The total cost of the renovation is
$23,471.80. The grant request is for$5,000. Mr. Peters stated he recommended approval of the
grant.
A motion was made by Max Beyer and seconded by Steve Anderson to approve the Façade
Grant in the amount of$5000.00 after the grant request awarded to the Advancement Foundation
May 20,2015 in the amount$1,870 be rescinded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Pete Peters stated Twin Creeks Brewery located at 111 Pollard Street in Vinton started brewing
and will have a soft opening October 23. He stated the official grand opening is not scheduled at
this time,but an invitation will be extended to the EDA as soon as the date and time is scheduled
and confirmed.
Ms. Loope stated the William Byrd property has been rezoned by Vinton Town Council. Also,
a briefing was provided to Council on the performance agreement with Waukeshaw
Development regarding the old William Byrd School. Ms. Loope pointed out that the historic
tax credits had passed Phase I and now working on Phase II.
Mr. Peters stated that Vinton is still engaged in conversation with the owners of Old Vinton
Motors but he has nothing concrete to report at this time. In response to a query by Mr Beyer
regarding Holdrens Country Store, he stated the town is in conversation with developers
regarding this property as well.
He further stated that Glade Creek Greenway, Phase I, is now under construction, Virginia
Avenue at Precision Manufacturing along Glade Creek to Southern States. There will be two
additional phases that will connect the greenway from Vineyard Park to Wasena Park. He stated
the greenway accessibility was instrumental in bringing Twin Creeks Brewery business to
Vinton.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes
Tanglewood Mall Ms. Loope stated Tanglewood Mall has been sold to Blackwater Resources.
A meeting is scheduled next week to review proposed concept plans.
419 Corridor Plan This plan is aggressively moving forward and community meetings are
scheduled for November 14, 15 and 16. She asked that everyone participate as they wish giving
their thoughts and comments.
Lidl Grocery Ms. Loope reported Lidl Grocery will open two locations in Roanoke County,
with the first one located at Valley Gateway in the Bonsack area.
Woodhaven Property The Woodhaven property consisting of 106 acres has been purchased by
Roanoke County, the City of Salem, and Roanoke City through the Western Virginia Regional
Industrial Facility Authority. The goal is to market the property for high-end industrial users at
this gateway location. An RFQ will go out next week to begin the master plan development for
the property. Community meetings will be planned beginning in January.
Broadband Broadband will be under construction in the County beginning next month.
Explore Park Following the completion of the Master Plan, work has begun to market Explore
Park for new businesses. Staff has been meeting with interested developers for the property.
Reappointment of Woody Windley Ms. Loope stated that Woody Windley has been
reappointed to the EDA for another four-year term ending September,2020.
Roland E. Cook In response to a query by Greg Apostolou, Ms. Loope stated the project was
moving forward with the framing and windows completed. The project is scheduled for
completion in the spring of 2017.
EDA members are invited to attend the annual Chairman's State of the County meeting on
November 18 at 7:30 a.m. at the Green Ridge Recreation Center.
Congratulations to Kirtesh Patel on the opening of his new pharmacy in the City of Salem.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for November 16 at 9:00 a.m.
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ADJOURNMENT
Steve Musselwhite, Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jil oop e
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Secretary-Treasurer