The Economic Development Authority (EDA) discussed the length of future meetings on Sept. 28.
The county’s EDA Director Sean Adkins said he believes the meetings are too long.
“In my view, two- or three-hour meetings are disrespectful of our own time,” he said.
Adkins said the meeting length could potentially affect future membership as “people hearing about three-hour meetings” might not want to be appointed to the authority.
Bill Clark, chairman, said the best way to shorten meetings is to communicate ahead of time so everyone attends fully informed.
Ron Haley said all too often the authority gets off track with its discussions.
Clark said he “will do a better job at reeling in personal comments that are not related to EDA business.” However, he still “thinks there’s a lack of communication.”
Adkins said he disagreed that the lack of communication is the reason why the meetings are so long.
Clark said he believes Adkins should call and email EDA members in advance about items that may be discussed at the meetings.
“Because I haven’t gotten any notification on any of this stuff. It’d be fine if I knew what to ask, but I don’t know what to ask,” Clark said.
Haley said the chairman should be tuned in to everything, especially new developments.
“A chairman does not need to walk into a meeting and get a surprise. It’s the worst thing in the world,” Haley said.
Clark suggested that he and Adkins should meet before the EDA’s agenda and meeting packet are disseminated.
“I think we should do it every two weeks,” Adkins said.
In other matters, the authority:
*Approved its first façade grant to Mattie B’s Gifts on Main Street. Owner Matilda Hunsicker said she was requesting funds to repair the public steps leading up to her store, fix a wobbly handrail, alter the store’s signage, sand and repaint the floors, and install tilework.
“We would change the front a little bit with the façade of the steps. The rise of the steps would have this tile on it, which is a 1940s style tile, and it’s frost-free, so people should not slip on it, and it should not crack in the frost,” she said.
Since the tilework falls under the ineligible category of decking, the EDA did not approve that portion of the project.
Adkins estimates the EDA will pay less than $700 for the project.
The Town of Stuart previously agreed to pay half of all projects within town limits, he said, and estimated it also would pay less than $700.
The project’s estimated completion date is April 15.
*Approved adding signage to the façade grant eligibility list, with costs to not exceed 50 percent of the project cost.
In talking with applicants and potential applicants Adkins said the EDA should change the façade grant to include signage on the list of eligible projects.
“Every single application so far has included signage,” he said.
Adkins said signage is not typically included in façade grants because “people come and go, so they take that sign and go elsewhere.”
However, as most of the businesses in the Enterprise Zone are well established.
“I never thought I would stump for signage,” he said.
Clark said he has no problem adding signage as an eligible cost because it is among the first things people consider when looking at a business.
“The only issue that I got is somebody wanting to spend $10,000 on just a brand-new sign,” he said.
*Discussed the Rich Creek/Slusher St. auction.
*Discussed Adkins’ meeting with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Economic Development Department.
*Approved the Aug. 31 meeting minutes.
*Paid the bills.
Glenn Roycroft did not attend the meeting.