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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/21/2015 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County... Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday, January 21,2015, 9:00:A.M. ANNUAL MEETING Members Present Chairman-Steve Musselwhite Woody Windley, Vice-Chair Ssunny.Shah Steve Anderson Leon McGhee- pan Toti Greg Apostolou Bill Branch Paul:Mahoney Secretary-Treasurer, Jill Loope Recording Clerk, Glenna Ratcliffe Members Absent Paul Henkel. Guest Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance Brian Carter, Finance Manager Ann Whitehurst, Financial Analyst Kay Dunldey, Director, Virginia Tech Roanoke Center Josh Nease, Manager, Catawba Sustainability Center The Economic Development Authority.of Roanoke County,Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center this being the Annual Meeting. CALL TO ORDER Chairman, Steve.Musselwhite called the meeting to order at 9:00'a m. INTRODUCTION OF THOMAS GATES, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR .,. Jill Loope introduced Thomas`.Gates, the new Roanoke County Administrator, and asked him to share his thoughts on Roanoke County's economic development vision for the future. Mr. Gates stated he was still learning but did report on the BOS Retreat held recently and stated there was much discussion about the economic development strategy and felt that a lot of great things were ahead in the next year..- Page 2 January 21, 2015 Economic Development Authority Minutes Mr. McGhee stated the County needed growth. He stated he knew the Northern Virginia area was robust and would like to see more growth in our area as it has been relatively flat for a number of years. Mr. Gates stated that in his former position in Alexandria, their economic development efforts were focused on targeting appropriate businesses for the community, and stated he feels we need to have the same approach and develop where it is most advantageous. Steve Anderson shared that the EDA recently sent a resolution to the Board of Supervisors in support of Roanoke County's participation in Broadband expansion. The EDA felt that expansion which would promote economic development within the Valley. MINUTES A motion was made by Ssunny Shah and seconded by Steve Anderson to approve the minutes of October 16, 2014. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. FINANCE REPORT Brian Carter, Finance Manager,presented the financial report for the month ending December 31, 2014. He stated the cash balance is currently$643,565.08. (Copy attached) A motion was made by Dan Toti and seconded by Ssunny Shah, to accept the financial report as presented. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. AUDIT REPORT Brian Carter, Finance Manager, presented and reviewed the EDA annual audit for the year ending June 30, 2014. The EDA audit was again presented as a component of the county audit. Mr. Carter reviewed the balance sheet, the statement of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balances as well as the schedule of revenue bonds and notes outstanding. Mr. Carter reviewed the following outstanding Performance Agreements: 1) The English Construction, Inc. agreement is currently on hold pending resolution of infrastructure obligations and no reimbursement has been made on this agreement. 2) The Edward Rose Development Company, LLC agreement provides for the Authority to grant. funds not to exceed $300,000 for the Economic Development Incentive Grant, based on new local tax revenues. After approval of a modification agreement adopted on April 22, 2014, the completion date was extended for the mixed use commercial development to December 31, 2019 and extended the company's choice of tax years for the Economic Development Incentive Grant to include the 2018 and 2019 calendar years. No reimbursement has been made on this agreement. 3) On.November 15, 2011, the Authority, in conjunction with the County, approved an agreement with Varsity Landscaping& Grounds, LLC/Anderson Properties of Virginia, Page 3 January 21,2015 Economic Development Authority Minutes LLC whereby the company shall construct an 8,000 square foot expansion of its warehouse and office building on real estate consisting of approximately 2.1 acres located off Starkey Road. The amount of this grant shall not exceed $30,000 and reimbursement will begin in 2012-2013. Reimbursement of tax revenues in the amount of$15,000 was paid for the year ended June 30, 2014. The project is complete. 4) The Hypergen, Inc.agreement was approved on January 25, 2013 to construct an approximately 10,000 square foot office building and modified on December 18, 2013, extending the completion date for the office building construction to March 31, 2017, and changing the years for reimbursement to 2016-2017. No reimbursement has been made on this agreement. 5) On August 13, 2013, the Authority, in conjunction with the County, approved an agreement with Ardagh Metal Packaging USA, Inc., whereby the company shall acquire 56 acres of land and acquire, renovate, and equip an existing 524,600 approximate square foot industrial foot industrial facility by December 31, 2014. It is also anticipated that the company will create and maintain 96 new jobs. The agreement provides for funding of$750,000 from a Governor's Opportunity Fund Grant. The agreement also provides for the Authority, with funds from the county, by way of a grant estimated at $2,300,000, for the Economic Development Incentive Grant based on new local tax revenues in calendar years 2015- 2017. In addition, the agreement provides' for a local match of$150,000 should the company receive a Rail Industrial Access Program Grant. The $750,000 Governor's Opportunity Fund Grant was received by the County and paid to the Company for the year ended June 30, 2014. Mr. Carter pointed out that the County has three Revenue Bonds, 1) Public Facility Project for Roanoke County, Richfield Retirement Community, and an office building for Roanoke County. A motion was made by Bill Branch and seconded by Ssunny Shah to accept the Audit Report. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. (copy attached) NEW BUSINESS Election of Officers Steve Musselwhite stated the floor is open for nominations for Chairman, Vice-Chairman.and Secretary Treasurer of the Economic Development Authority. A motion was made by Kirtesh Patel to nominate Steve Musselwhite for Chairman. Hearing no further nominations, the nomination was seconded by Greg-Apostolou. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. . A motion was made by Greg Apostolou nominating Woody Windley as Vice-Chair. Hearing no further nominations, the nomination was seconded by Dan Toti. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. . A motion was made by Woody Windley and seconded by Kirtesh Patel to reinstate Jill Loope as Secretary-Treasurer. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. - _ Page 4 January 21,2015 Economic Development Authority Minutes BRIEFING Update and Presentation on the Catawba Sustainability Center At this time, Ms. Loope introduced Josh Nease, Manager of the Catawba Sustainability Center, who presented a PowerPoint presentation on the Catawba Sustainability Center. The Mission of the Catawba Sustainability Center is to inspire thought and discover solutions in environmental, social, and economic sustainability through. research, education and demonstration. Mr. Nease stated the property consist of 377 acres located in Roanoke County. The property began as Catawba Sanitarium and later Catawba Hospital. Virginia Tech assumed ownership of the property in 2010. Virginia Tech and Roanoke County have partnered beginning in 2012 to promote economic development, eco-tourism, outdoor recreation, community partnerships and cross-sector collaboration for research and development of sustainability practices, including renewable energy, agroforestry, low-input agriculture and local food systems. Mr. Nease reviewed some of the projects which include the 5th Annual Catawba Valley Farmers Market in partnership with Roanoke County, the Catawba Valley Ruritan Club and LEAP for Local Food; the Catawba Landcare Learning Series and Catawba Hospital Partnership; the Small Farm Incubator Program which helps farmers get started through education, support, equipment and tools; Continuing.Education and Training Programs such as, the Midsummer Sustainable Farming Workshop, Beginning Beekeepers Workshop and the Growers Academy. He also, noted the collaboration with Roanoke County to establish the Blue Blaze Trail connecting the Appalachian Trail to the Catawba Valley; the development of the American Chestnut Breeding Orchard; the partnership with Roanoke College for two on-site research projects, internship program and student volunteers; and the Grass-Fed Beef Partnership. Mr. Nease reviewed facility updates including the demolition of tenant houses and outbuildings and reviewed the water system upgrade. At this time, Mr.Nease asked for questions. Greg Apostolou asked if they partnered with restaurants. Mr. Nease stated some of the producers on the property do have agreements with local restaurants Steve Anderson asked the size of staff. Mr. Nease stated they have a staff of two but he does anticipate growth. Leon McGhee suggested that the CSC reach out to the Homeplace Restaurant for potential partnership opportunities, as he felt the general public was not aware of the Center and that they need to make more people aware of their activities and programs. Ms. Loope thanked Mr.Nease for the presentation. Page 5 January 21, 2015 Economic Development Authority Minutes After the presentation, it was suggested that the EDA conduct a regular meeting at the Center in Catawba in the future to tour the property. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Ms. Loope stated The Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market located on Plantation Road will have a Grand Opening on Wednesday, January 28th at 7:30 a.m. She invited members to attend the Grand Opening. A new business, AppTech Solutions, relocated from Roanoke City to Roanoke County as the company needed to expand and were able to find a suitable building in the County. As a result of their expansion, Roanoke County helped the company identify $68,000 in training funds for the training of up to 104 new employees from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Chick-fil-a to be located in Bonsack is now under construction. The Western Virginia Industrial Facilities Authority was formed to identify and evaluate site development opportunities within the authority service area(Counties of Botetourt, Franklin, and Roanoke, the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, and the Town of Vinton). Because there is a lack of larger, developed industrial site opportunities (100+ acres) in the Roanoke market,regional leaders hope to develop larger industrial sites to meet market demand. Since forming, the Authority has identified 10 sites for further analysis, four of which are in Roanoke County. Ms. Loope stated the county has received proposals and is evaluating its options on the three County buildings that are being market for development; the 419 Library in South Roanoke as well as Roland E. Cook and William Byrd schools in Vinton. Because of the complexity of each project and the time involved, there is nothing additional to report at the present time. REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS None ADJOURNMENT Steve Musselwhite, Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 10:05 a.m. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING February 18, 2015 Respectfully submitted, El Loope, Secretary-Treasurer