Economic Development Authority : 1.8.09

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Thursday, January 8, 2009

PRESENT: Mr. Greg Kelly, Mr. Erwin Berry, Mr. Alphonso Taylor, Mr. Steve
Crandall (Staff: Ms. Maureen Kelley)
ABSENT: Ms. Emily Pelton, Mr. Bennett Saunders, Mr. Natt Hall

TREASURER’S REPORT – Mr. Taylor reported that there is a balance of
$136,611.50 on a CD that matures on January 12th. He noted that the
interest rates are approximately .82% for a 6-month CD and 1.3% for a
12-month or 18-month CD. Mr. Taylor reported that the Authority currently
has approximately $14,000 in checking and reviewed the funds which the EDA
has committed and is considering for 2009. He noted approximately $60,000
(Business Appreciation, marketing, board training, etc) in expected expenses
and suggested putting $100,000 on a six-month CD with the balance in the
checking account. Members voted unanimously to do so.

JAUNT TRANSIT OPTIONS/ROCKFISH VALLEY – Mr. Crandall reported that JAUNT and
Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) have completed their
report on a potential Rockfish Valley transportation plan. He suggested
that the EDA ask Wintergreen Partners (WPI) to do a bulk email to WPI and
Wintergreen Property Owners Association (WPOA) to provide information on the
proposal. Mr. Kelly suggested doing an online survey to gauge community
interest and gather ideas and feedback on the proposal. After discussion,
members directed staff to work with TJPDC to develop the survey questions
and post the study and survey on the county’s website within the next two
weeks.

LOCAL FOOD HUB PROJECT – Mr. Kelly reported that the project to develop an
efficient distribution and marketing infrastructure for locally- and
regionally-grown and produced product is moving forward with developing a
business plan and identifying funding for development. He noted that as an
adjunct to the ongoing work, the group is considering a proposal from
another company to develop an interactive website to allow growers and
producers to list the products they have for sale and buyers to purchase
those products. Mr. Kelly reported that he will ask the group to make a
presentation on the web-based system at a future meeting.

ELECTION OF 2009 OFFICERS – Members voted unanimously to elect the
following:

Chairperson – Mr. Steve Crandall
Vice-Chairperson – Ms. Emily Pelton
Secretary/Treasurer – Mr. Alphonso Taylor

MEETING SCHEDULE – Members agreed by consensus to continue their meeting
schedule of the first Thursday of each month at 3:00pm at The Nelson Center.

Meeting adjourned.

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