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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/5/2025 - MinutesThe Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 5, 2025, the Economic Development Authority met at the Roanoke County Administration Center Members Present Woody Windley, Chair Greg Apostolou Jeremy Carroll Kirtesh Patel Sherry Lawrence Barry Thompson Michael Altizer Todd Ross Sunny Shah Megan Baker, Secretary-Treasurer Guests Richard Caywood, County Administrator, Roanoke County Doug Blount, Assistant County Administrator, Roanoke County Alexander Jones, Assistant Director Marketing & Business Development, Roanoke County Lindsay Webb, Assistant Director Business Retention & Operations, Roanoke County Nellie Philpott, Economic Development Specialist, Roanoke County Jessica Beamer, Assistant Director of Finance and Management Services Robin Shelton, Financial Analyst, Roanoke County Rachel Lower, Deputy County Attorney, Roanoke County Jason Suhr, Career & Technical Education Director, Roanoke County Public Schools Carl York, Coordinator of School/Business Relations, Roanoke County Public Schools Will King, Planning and Economic Development Intern, Roanoke County Pete Peters, Town Manager, Town of Vinton CALL TO ORDER Chairman Woody Windley called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. ROLL CALL Megan Baker called the roll. REQUEST TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA ITEMS The Planning Director Update was removed from the agenda due to Mr. Thompson’s absence. APPROVAL OF MAY 15, 2025, MEETING MINUTES On a motion by Mike Altizer to approve minutes of May 15, 2025, EDA meeting, seconded by Barry Thompson, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 1. FY 2026 Budget Assistant County Administrator Doug Blount presented the staff-proposed FY 2026 Economic Development Authority budget. The main budget categories include: • $45,000 for prospecting, which includes staff attendance at marketing conferences and preliminary site architecture and engineering. • $150,000 for programs, including $50,000 for EDA-owned stormwater pond maintenance and $100,000 for the Business Equipment and Acquisition Program (BEAP) grant; and • $725,000 to support future projects. Mr. Blount also noted that staff will begin developing financial management policies for the EDA, including clearly defined roles and structures to support land acquisition and long-term planning. Jeremy Carroll arrived at 9:08 a.m. during this presentation. A motion to approve the FY 2026 budget was made by Kirtesh Patel and seconded by Barry Thompson. The motion passed unanimously. 2. July EDA Meeting Staff noted that the next regularly scheduled Economic Development Authority meeting falls on Thursday, July 3, the day before the Independence Day holiday. Staff will circulate a scheduling survey to confirm member availability and finalize plans. No formal action was taken at this time. BRIEFINGS 1. Roanoke County Public Schools Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center Jason Suhr, Director of Career and Technical Education, and Carl York, Business Coordinator, provided an overview of the new Roanoke County CTE Center under development on Peters Creek Road. The new facility, opening in late 2026 or early 2027, will replace the existing Burton Center and expand access to high-demand career and technical programs. The presenters highlighted plans to introduce new offerings, strengthen industry partnerships, and support students with hands-on learning and workforce readiness resources. The briefing also touched on enrollment growth, apprenticeship models, and efforts to build long-term support through community and business engagement. 2. Director’s Report Megan Baker provided a written report on recent staff activities, highlighting continued engagement with Virginia’s Blue Ridge Restaurant Week and planning efforts for a second chance career fair in partnership with the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board. She also noted that Roanoke County-based Novonesis was recently recognized as a Leading Tech Company at the RBTC TechNite event. CLOSED SESSION On a motion by Gregory Apostolu, seconded by Barry Thompson, the Board entered a closed session pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3711(A)(3) for discussion regarding the disposition of publicly held real property located in the Vinton District, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. Kirtesh Patel left the meeting at 10:21 a.m. CERTIFICATION Following the closed session, on a motion by Chairman Woody Windley, seconded by Jeremy Carroll, the Board certified that only matters lawfully exempt from open meeting requirements and identified in the motion to convene the closed session were discussed. The certification passed unanimously. REPORTS AND INQUIRIES Authority members were invited to share any reports or inquiries. No items were brought forward. ADJOURNMENT On a motion by Sunny Shah and seconded by Mike Altizer, and a unanimous vote, the meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m. Respectfully Submitted, Megan Baker Secretary-Treasurer