INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES September 12, 2018

Transcription

1 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORIT MEETING MINUTES September 12, 2018 The Highlands County Industrial Development Authority meeting was held in the Ward Room at the The Hotel Jacaranda, 19 E. Main St., Avon Park, FL on Wednesday, September 12, Chair Janet Barber presided over the meeting; a quorum was present. 1. CALL TO ORDER Highlands County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) The September 12, 2018 Industrial Development Authority Board of s meeting was called to order at 7:32 a.m. 2. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM Name Title Organization Present Chair Vice Chair Highlands County IDA/EDC Past Chair Executive Committee Secretary/Treasurer Janet Barber Ray Royce Carol Howard Wade Taveniere Tom Koppein Donna Doubleday Paul Koukos Thomas Leitzel John Shoop Tim Texley John Varady Craig Johnson Jim Renfro Jason Kimbrell Randy Surber James Brooks Benjamin Dunn Taylor Benson Meghan DiGiacomo Dana Riddell Garrett Anderson Freddie Jahna Michael Noel George Karos Commissioner, Liaison Dev. Services Planning Technician Representatives of Outside Organizations Highlands County IDA/EDC Board of s Highlands County Board of County Commissioners - Development Services Avon Park Mayor Jahna Concrete, Inc. Small Business Development Center Avon Park Chamber of Commerce 3. CONSENT AGENDA IDA The Consent Agenda was presented for consideration. The agenda included the minutes of the July 11, 2018 IDA Board of s meeting. John Shoop moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded by John Varaday. Motion carried unanimously. 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Meghan DiGiacomo gave a brief update on the Harder Hall project. The developers of the project have had to push back some of their timeline as they continue to gather information and formulate plans. Meghan is on a working conference call with them weekly to keep updated with their progress and provide any support necessary. N 1

2 5. NEW BUSINESS Ray Royce presented Janet Barber s term expiration and discussed the applications on file. The board discussed the importance of maintaining members from Highlands County s target industries. Craig Johnson made a motion to recommend to the Board of County Commissioners to reappoint Janet Barber to a second term, seconded by Tom Koppein. Upon roll call all members voted aye. 7. ADJOURNMENT IDA The September 12, 2018 IDA Board of s meeting was adjourned at 7:40 a.m. Next Meeting: 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Highlands County Engineering Training Room Second Floor 505 S. Commerce Ave. Sebring, FL Minutes developed by: Dana Riddell, Planning Technician Approval date: December 12,

3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES September 12, 2018 The Economic Development Commission for Highlands County (EDC) / Economic Development Organization s (EDO) Board of s meeting was held in the Ward Room at the The Hotel Jacaranda, 19 E. Main St., Avon Park, FL on Wednesday, September 12, Chair Janet Barber presided over the meeting; a quorum was present. 1. CALL TO ORDER Highlands County Economic Development Commission (EDC) / Economic Development Organization (EDO) The September 12, 2018 Economic Development Commission / Economic Development Organization board meeting was called to order at 7:40 a.m. 2. CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM Name Title Organization Present Chair Vice Chair Highlands County IDA/EDC Past Chair Executive Committee Secretary/Treasurer Janet Barber Ray Royce Carol Howard Wade Taveniere Tom Koppein Donna Doubleday Paul Koukos Thomas Leitzel John Shoop Tim Texley John Varady Craig Johnson Jim Renfro Jason Kimbrell Randy Surber James Brooks Benjamin Dunn Taylor Benson Meghan DiGiacomo Dana Riddell Garrett Anderson Freddie Jahna Michael Noel George Karos Commissioner, Liaison Dev. Services Planning Technician Representatives of Outside Organizations Highlands County IDA/EDC Board of s Highlands County Board of County Commissioners - Development Services Avon Park Mayor Jahna Concrete, Inc. Small Business Development Center Avon Park Chamber of Commerce 3. CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda was presented for consideration. The agenda included the minutes of the July 11, 2018 EDC Board of s meeting as well as the July and August financial reports. Craig Johnson moved to approve the meeting minutes and financial reports; seconded by John Shoop. Motion carried unanimously. 4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT UPDATE a. Taylor Benson and Meghan DiGiacomo updated the board on recent accomplishments and activities. Taylor gave an overview of the survey that was distributed to the community. The survey generated a large response and will be N 1

4 used for the strategic plan developed by VisionFirst Advisors. The county was recently awarded three grants two from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and one from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The office continues to coordinate community outreach and has presented at a variety of community organization meetings. They are also in the process of converting to a new vendor for the online sites and buildings and data report tool on the Economic Development website. Developers are reaching out with interest in multi-family parcels. Meghan discussed the Florida Job Growth Fund and local entities applying for opportunities with the fund. Nucor is working on extending waterlines to their site in Avon Park and have purchased a site in Highlands County. The creation of jobs due to the Nucor opening was discussed as well. Meghan and Taylor are working with FHERO to organize a site selection trip through Enterprise Florida. Additionally, they are still working with businesses throughout the county and connecting them with resources that will help their business grow and expand. There is a possibility of a new fast food chain opening a business in Highlands County with the potential to employ around 40 people. Two French companies have shown interest in expanding their businesses in Highlands County, one of which manufactures airplane propellers/rotor blades. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. The board was presented with a proposed schedule for its meetings. The board members decided to amend the schedule and hold the September 2019 meeting at the new Lake Placid Town Hall. Craig Jonson made a motion to approve the amended meeting schedule; seconded by Carol Howard. The motion passed unanimously. b. The board agreed that they would prefer to table the appointment of Executive Committee Members until all committee member s terms are in good standing. Jason Kimbrell made a motion to table the appointments until the December 2018 meeting, seconded by John Shoop; motion passed unanimously. c. Wade Taveniere presented the EDC budget. Members discussed membership dues being implemented once the strategic plan is finalized and implemented for Economic Development. Carol Howard made a motion to adopt the proposed budget, seconded by John Shoop. The motion passed unanimously. 6. LIAISON REPORTS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS John Varaday gave an update on schools opening for the new school year and a group of students who got the opportunity to tour the local hospital. There will be aviation tour as well for a select group of high-interest and high-aptitude students. The idea is to expose these students to these industries and foster their development with the intention that they will come back to Highlands County when they have finished their studies. USA Today published a misleading article and John Varady clarified some misconceptions regarding the graduation rates. Jason Kimbrell asked if a promotional video can be created regarding the positive highlights of the school system in Highlands County. Carol Howard suggested that the economic 2

5 development office should work with some high school students to create such a video. Ray Royce gave an update on citrus groves and the advancements being made. There might be increased lemon production and other types of crops that are not oranges. Michael Noel, with the SBDC, gave updates on trainings they attended and the possibility of having someone come and speak and educate on telecommunications. 7. ADJOURNMENT EDC/EDO The September 12, 2018 EDC/EDO Board of s meeting adjourned at 8:53 a.m. Next Meeting: 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 10, 2018 Highlands County Engineering Training Room Second Floor 505 S. Commerce Ave. Sebring, FL Minutes developed by: Dana Riddell, Planning Technician Approval date: December 12,