03-22-2022 Meeting Minutes EDCEDC Minutes for March 22, 2022
Minutes of the PCEDC Meeting
EDC Boardroom
303 S, Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573
March 22, 2022
Voting Board Members Present:
Mr. Phillip Allen-Chairman Mr. Kenneth Perry
The Honorable Merilyn Newell-Secretary Mr. Donald Long
Mr. Dale Reynolds-Vice Chairman The Honorable Gordon Powell
Mr. Danny Talbert Mr. Ernie Wood
Ex Officios Present:
Mr. Brooks Lockhart, City Manager Ms. Heidi York, County Manager
Dr. Claudia Berryhill, Agricultural Representative Dr. Rodney Peterson, PCS Superintendent
Ex Officios Absent:
Dr. Pamela Senegal, PCC Representative
ED Staff Present: Others Present:
Ms. Sherry Wilborn, ED Director Mr. George Willoughby
Mr. Mike Thibault, Asst. ED Director Mr. Bo Freeman
Mr. Ellis Hankins, County Attorney
Ms. Brandy Lynch minutes were taken off a recording by Mr. Mike Thibault.
EDC Welcome and Invocation:
1. At 4:00 p.m., Chairman Allen called the meeting to order.
2. Mr. Dale Reynolds gave the invocation.
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EDC Minutes for March 22, 2022
Approval of the Consent Agenda:
3.Mr. Allen requests a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed for approval of the Consent Agenda.
Motion: Dale Reynolds Second: Danny Talbert
The Honorable Merilyn Newell in at 4:04 p.m.
Ms. Heidi York in at 4:02 p.m.
Ethics Review:
4.The EDC was informed about ethical responsibilities of certain boards and commissions
appointed by the Person County Board of County Commissioners, and provided conflict of
interest policies. Mr. Hankins delivers an overview of the documents and opens the floor up for
questions. There were no questions. Wilborn reminds the board of the ethics training
requirements that are set forth in the by-laws. Mr. Allen requested all members of the board
sign the Conflict of Interest forms in their packets. This satisfies the ethical review for the year.
Business Survey Update:
5.Mr. Mike Thibault provides an update to the board on the Business Survey. He thanks board
members who have taken time to meet with him on the best ways forward. The feedback he has
received so far indicated board members would prefer a more face to face meeting. Surveying
local businesses would be faster, however there is a low participation rate. Board members also
suggested partnering with the Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce. Thibault met with
Samantha Bagbey with the Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce and came up with options
including, allowing a local college business call to conduct the survey or one student studying
business to take on a large project. This would be a cost-effective solution. Thibault states he
was hired as the Assistant Director to work with businesses and believed he should. He thanks
board member Danny Talbert for taking time to meet with him, noting how important that is.
Thibault welcomes any feedback from the board. He will work with colleges and the Roxboro
Chamber of Commerce going forward and keep the board updated.
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EDC Minutes for March 22, 2022
Director’s Report:
6. Sherry Wilborn informed the board she attended the EDPNC two-day conference and there
continues to be a large amount of project requests. The application for Golden Leaf was
completed and took longer than expected to complete. The ED department has received more
records requests including, board structure and Covid Pivot loans. Wilborn also received notice
from Polywood they would require additional infrastructure needs, to which she is looking for
opportunities for them. Wilborn reminds the board, the Economic Development Summit is
March 31, 2022.
The Raleigh Regional Airport website is still in the works. During the PCBIC meeting, Wilborn will
deliver a proposal to that board. The website proposal came in a little above the original budget
of $10,000, which was the amount approved by PCBIC. The proposal now includes video and
photography. The total proposal is now $12,050. The EDC paid for the new logo out of existing
funding. The new hanger is almost complete.
Strategic Planning with Ted Abernathy is ongoing. He should be reaching out to the board for
interviews.
Member and Ex Officio Comments:
7. Dr. Berryhill announced she attended the Visit NC two-day conference. It focused on bringing
people to visit North Carolina in hopes they could decide to move. If population grows, it will
allow growth in economic development.
Heidi York announced her 13-year tenure with the county will be coming to an end June 30,
2022. She will be the new county manager for Alamance County, starting July 1, 2022. The
Person County Board of Commissioners approved the application for a GREAT grant for
broadband.
Chairman’s Report:
8. Chairman Allen encouraged everyone to attend the Economic Development Summit.
Next Meeting:
9. The next meeting, was announced as April 26, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County EDC Board
Room 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC.
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