Economic Development Commission

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (EDC) TOWN OF MOUNT AIRY Minutes of 11/19/2014 Meeting Attendees: Andrew Williamson - Chairman Michael VanSant Frank Dertzbaugh James Linton Zach Peters Bob King, Council Liaison Paul Clay Bill McCullough Also attending were Melissa Hoyle, Town Staff; Bill Butts, Chairman, Planning Commission, Ken Phebus and wife (Judith), Member of Town Council, and Terry King, wife of Bob King. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. at Memories Charcoal House. 2. During the open session Bob King read an email from Ellie Bonde expressing concerns about the lack of a designated Main Street manager who could work with Town Main Street businesses and with local government activities to coordinate downtown activities. Bob King will relay expressed concerns regarding concerns for a main street manager to the Town Council at their next meeting (Dec 1, 2014). After discussion it was agreed by Commission members to put on the EDC agenda for the January meeting a discussion regarding objective for downtown revitalization and downtown manager. 3. Minutes for the EDC meeting of 22October 2014 were reviewed and approved with correction of business name (George’s Girls) in paragraph 4. 4. Melissa Hoyle provided an Economic Development Staff report providing a summary of upcoming events for the period November – December 2014 within Mount Airy. Also identified is an event on March 2 9, 2014 ((Casey Wilson (SBDC) – 8:30 a.m. Town Hall – Greater Chamber)). Melissa reported the town newsletter was printed and sent out at the beginning of November addressing town activities of the various commissions. She also reported a new business (Johnson Used Appliance Repair & Sales) opened on Prospect Road. It was noted that the budget for 2016 will be worked on in the first couple of months of 2015 and suggested EDC members think about line items for the budget. 5. Bob King reported he mentioned to the Town Council the work being done to look at Center Street upgrade by the EDC. He reported receiving favorable comments after the Town Council meeting regarding Center Street. Melissa reported that town staff would be meeting with Dennis Boyle, a real estate broker, representatives of a developer and 1 Ron Beck and others to discuss options related to Center Street in the next week. Bill Butts mentioned that the Planning Commission reached out to the Beck family suggesting mixed use zoning currently being developed by the Planning Commission as appropriate for Center Street. It was also mentioned that it is approximately 900 feet that is required to connect Center Street at a cost less than $1.0 million as part of the revitalization. 6. Parking alternatives will continue to be discussed at future EDC meetings. 7. Discussion of the Business Card Exchange scheduled for 10 December focused on activities related to food donations by Mount Airy businesses, Linganore Winecellers, and other contribution by Mount Airy businesses. The commission agreed with a suggestion that the EDC/Chamber also hold a silent auction with proceeds going to Scholarship fund managed by the Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce. Andrew Williamson will take the lead in identifying items for the silent auction. Contribution of canned goods for Mount Airy NET will also be part of the Business Card Exchange. 8. Discussions are ongoing regarding APP/Web site improvements and will continue to be an agenda item. 9. Copies of the pamphlet A Guide to Establishing a Business in the Town of Mount Airy passed out to Commission members with a request to review and discuss at the next meeting of the EDC. 10. The next EDC meeting is scheduled for 28 January 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall. 11. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Minutes reviewed and approved 11 February 2015 2