Summary of action items and board reports of FR-WC EDA meeting of June 24

The Front Royal-Warren County EDA held the monthly meeting on Friday, June 24th at 8 AM. All Board members and the Executive Director were present.

Executive Director Joe Petty presented the request from the Town for a Utility Easement located on the Avtex site. The specific location is the parking lot area where the EDA and Laurel Ridge Community College (formerly Lord Fairfax) are in partnership where the school’s commercial truck driving class is located. The purpose of the easement is to correct storm-water management issues impacting 610-B and 612 W. 11th street. The board approved the immediate repair and replacement to the culvert and box to prevent further flooding of the 11th street area affected. The Board deferred approval of the of the proposed new 36-inch line until additional information on the easement is provided.

The Board also approved the release of Parcel 15 on Fairgrounds Road. The release was tabled at the May meeting because the Parcel 15 was not identified by address. The release is for 415 Fairgrounds Road which the EDA sold to Timberworks.

Jeff Browne, Chairperson, presented a request from Citi Bank to bundle the Royal Arms bond with other bonds to allow more funds available for affordable housing projects. After a thorough review by our attorney to insure there is no impact on the current bond agreement and a recommendation by the attorney to approve the board unanimously approved the request. The EDA board fully supports more funding for affordable housing.

Jorie Martin and Scott Jenkins presented the Avtex Committee report. The committee held two meetings in June to review past studies and recommendations. The committee decided to focus on the site in four parts. The first part is the Conservancy Side, second is the plant side, third side is the parking lot area adjacent to the police department and currently where the truck school is located, and the final piece is the West Bank across the river.

The Board discussed the committee report at length and and directed the committee to address questions raised and prepare a presentation at the July meeting. The board will be working with all stakeholders as the development moves forward. The full committee report is on the EDA website: www.wceda.com.

The board discussed integrating the EDA website with the county’s website. EDA Director Petty will be working with the county’s IT department and the EDA board on the project.

Joe Petty presented an update on the Small Business Loan Program. The accounts are in order and the EDA goal is to reestablish the Small Business Loan Committee and make the money available to small businesses in the town and county.

The board concluded with a closed session to discuss business opportunities and the pending litigations.