Board of County Commissioners

Economic Development Workshop

AGENDA

December 2, 2014

3:00 p.m.

Present:               Brenda Holt, Chair, District 4

                                Eric Hinson, Vice-Chair, District 1

                                Dr. Anthony O.”Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2

                                Gene Morgan, District 3

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 5 (arrived late)

                                Robert Presnell, County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

WELCOME

Commissioner Brenda Holt, Chairperson

  Chair Holt called the meeting to order at 3:18 p.m. and apologized for the delay due to technical difficulties.

PRESENTATION

Jack Peacock, Chairman

Gadsden Economic Development Council

 Jack Peacock appeared before the Board to give a brief overview and the need for the Gadsden Economic Development Council.

Rob Nixon appeared before the Board to dive a greater detail of their program. 

Commissioner Taylor appeared at this juncture of the meeting.

Key initiatives: 1) promote, review and streamline permitting process;

2) employ appropriate local resources and programs

3) capital formation

4) identify new vocational training

5) new recruiting protocol

want to make sure meet with local and county leaders on quarterly basis

David Gardner, Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce, appeared before the Board.  He said they provide small business training, tech assistance,

Project updates: healthcare opportunity,

Mr. Peacock reappeared and asked the commission to fund their efforts and asked for a multi-year agreement in the amount of $100,000.

Presentation

Lee Garner, Chairman

Gadsden County Development Council

 Lee Garner, Chairman, appeared before the Board. 

Beth Kirkland appeared before the Board and touched on some of the achievements in the past year of the GCDC.

Lee Garner reappeared before the Board. 

Bill Enfinger, Focus Credit Union and treasure of GCDC appeared before the Board.

Antonio Jefferson, City Manager of Gretna and Board representative for Opportunity Florida appeared before the Board.

Lex Thompson, Developer, appeared before the Board and said the County needed to be “shovel-ready”.

Bernard, Building Director for City of Quincy, appeared before the Board and stated one thing he had tried to undertake was putting a list together of industrial ready sites.

Lee Farr, Developer, appeared before the Board.

Commissioner Taylor stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.

Harold Emrich, City Manager for Town of Greensboro,

Commissioner Taylor returned at this juncture of the meeting.

Ralph Long, Holland Ware Foundation, loved everything he heard here today.

Howard McKinnon, Town Manager of Havana, appeared before the Board.

Chris Eldred, TeligentEMS, appeared before the Board, and said his company builds electronic equipment.  He said they were located in Tallahassee approximately 16 years ago, could not expand, found property that was “shovel-ready” and infrastructure was in place.

Kim Gay, Talquin Electric, appeared before the Board and said word was out “Gadsden County is open for business”.

Commissioner Hinson stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.

Ms. Kirkland reappeared before the Board.

Commissioner Morgan stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.

Commissioner Hinson returned at this juncture of the meeting.

Commissioner Morgan returned at this juncture of the meeting.

Commissioner Viegbesie stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.

Ms. Kirkland said there was a need of an economic development web presence.

Commissioner Viegbesie returned at this juncture of the meeting.

Chair Holt called for a five minute recess.

Chair Holt reconvened the meeting.

Commissioner Jackson appeared before the board and spoke briefly.  He said one thing was the county needed to come together and work together.

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

 Chair Holt asked the Board if there was any questions or comments from the Board.

Chair Holt sked David Gardner to step forward to address questions and asked why the Chamber decide to withdraw from the Development Council and he preferred not to address the issue.

Chair Holt asked about the performance base and said she was partial to the Economic Development council because what they had accomplished within one year.

Commissioner Morgan thanked them for their presentation and asked what they were most impressed with the GCDC presentation.

Mr. Nixon said with $100,0000 was able to accomplish

Mr. Peacock appeared before the Board and said no secret Chair Holt not proponent of Chamber.

Commissioner Taylor said trying to get away from talking to group individually and handle in group effort.  Chore of Board how to bring together.  Need to look at performance based website.  She said both groups mentioned how hard to get businesses here with P&Z, suggested both groups get together and streamline process to make easier for businesses to come. 

Commissioner Morgan asked what GCDC was most impressed with Economic Development Council.

Commissioner Hinson asked number of members Chamber had-250 members

Dr. V said one key concern had 1) thanked both for very informative presentation; both exhibited passion.  Said have heard Chamber has past but also has future.  Forget past and see how things can move forward.  Both new initiatives, both in infancy are works in progress and how can be brought together. 

Commissioner Hinson said find our focus first, I-10 exits, car washes, .

Chair Holt said groups needed to work together.

Commissioner Viegbesie stepped out at this juncture of the meeting.

ADJOURN

Adjourned at 5:58 p.m.