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11-18-2025 Meeting Agenda Packet EDC Date: November 18, 2025 Time: 4:00 pm Location: EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Regularly-Scheduled Meeting Agenda Time Item Leader 4:00 Welcome Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:01 Invocation Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Vice-Chairman 4:02 Consent Agenda • September 23, 2025 Meeting Minutes • October 16, 2025 Meeting Minutes • October 24, 2025 Meeting Minutes **Request a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:03 Calendar Discussion 2026 EDC Meeting Schedule **Request a motion to approve the 2026 meeting schedule as presented Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:10 Follow-up Leadership Summit The Honorable Sherry Wilborn 4:25 Product Inventory Ms. Brandy Lynch, ED Director 4:35 Raleigh Regional Update Ms. Katherine Cathey, County Manager 4:45 Chairman Report Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:50 Member Comments Members and Ex Officios 4:55 Director Report Ms. Brandy Lynch, ED Director 5:00 Next Meeting TBD Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 5:00 **Adjourn Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman **Action Requested *The EDC meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month. However, since the 4th Tuesday of December 2026 falls within the week of a major holiday, the Commission will decide at its November meeting whether to hold a December meeting. **Person County Transit & Development Center is located at 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC 27573 *** The November meeting will be on the 3rd Tuesday. For more information, please contact the ED Office at 336.597.1752. ««Notice: For Emergency and/or Special Called Meetings of the EDC, please check the EDC Meeting Materials section of the EDC website.»» Upcoming 2026 Meeting Dates for the Person County Economic Development Commission Date: Time: Location: January 27, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** February 24, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** March 24, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** April 28, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** May 26, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** June 23, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** July 28, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** August 25, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** September 22, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** October 27, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** November 17, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building*** December 2026* TBD TBD *The EDC meets on the 4th Tuesday of every other month. However, since the 4th Tuesday of December 2026 falls within the week of a major holiday, the Commission will decide at its November meeting whether to hold a December meeting. **Person County Transit & Development Center is located at 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC 27573 *** The November meeting will be on the 3rd Tuesday. For more information, please contact the ED Office at 336.597.1752. ««Notice: For Emergency and/or Special Called Meetings of the EDC, please check the EDC Meeting Materials section of the EDC website.»» Upcoming 2026 Meeting Dates for the Person County Economic Development Commission Date: Time: Location: January 27, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** March 24, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** May 26, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** July 28, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** September 22, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** November 17, 2026 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building*** December 2026* TBD TBD *The EDC Executive Committee meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Since there has not been a regular scheduled meeting in December 2026, the commission will decide at its November meeting whether to hold a December meeting. **Person County Transit & Development Center is located at 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC 27573 For more information, please contact the ED Office at 336.597.1752. Upcoming 2026 Meeting Dates for the Person County Economic Development Commission Executive Committee ««Notice: For Emergency and/or Special Called Meetings of the EDC, please check the EDC Meeting Materials section of the EDC website.»» Date: Time: Location: January 13, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** February 10, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** March 10, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** April 14, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** May 12, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** June 9, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** July 14, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** August 11, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** September 8, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** October 13, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** November 10, 2026 9:00 a.m. Person County Transit & Development Building*** December 2026* TBD TBD Person County myFutureNC 2025 Attainment Profiles Raleigh-Durham Prosperity Zone Sub-Region Peer County Type: Rural - Metro Have Degree or Credential3,85244.1% No Degree4,88455.9% Residents Ages 25-448,736 Educational Attainment Person County residents ages 25-44, 2023 Educational Attainment Trend Note: 2020 data not shown due to inconsistency Note: Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding Educational Level Breakdown, 2023 1.7%County vs.3.8%State Growth Rate Population Spotlight 2020 Census: 39,088 2023 Estimate: 39,737 Change: 649 Race/Ethnicity $64,466MedianHouseholdIncome (2023) State: $70,838 75.9%Home Owners(2023) State: 66.3% 67.3%Households withBroadband (2023) State: 77.1% 31.4%Child Poverty Rate(2023) State: 17.6% 20.0%Single ParentHouseholds(2023) State: 17.0% 3.1%Foreign Born(2023) State: 9.2% Top Opportunities for Growth Opportunity Youth 19% of Person County youth ages 16-24 are not working and not in school, above the rural - metro county average of 15%. Top 3 Five-Star Jobs in Raleigh-Durham Prosperity Zone Sub-Region Job Title Annual Growth Nurse Practitioners 4.09% Data Scientists 3.79% Statisticians 3.71% Top 3 Employers in Person County Employer Employment Range Person County Board of Education 500-999 Poly Wood LLC 500-999 County of Person 500-999 Top 3 industries in Person County Jobs | Percent Retail Trade 1,605 | 16.8% Manufacturing 1,231 | 12.9% Health Care and Social Assistance 1,213 | 12.7% Postsecondary Enrollment for Person County Residents Person County residents enrolled in NCCCS, Fall 2023 Person County is served by: Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board Kerr-Tar Council of Governments 75.8% of postsecondary degrees and credentials conferred by regional institutions are aligned with labor market needs. Top Misalignments Job Openings vs. Degrees/Credentials Health Science Jobs > Creds Business Management & Administration Jobs > Creds Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Jobs < Creds In Raleigh-Durham Prosperity Zone Sub-Region: 0 Individuals served in an ApprenticeshipNC program in 2023 UNC and NC Community College Outcomes: 19,047 graduates in 2020 64.9%of 2016 graduates were employed in NC in 2021 $50,028 annual average earnings of graduates employed in NC (includes both part-time and full-time jobs), 2021 53.8%of adults (ages 25-44) in Person County earned a family sustaining wage. Peer: 46.7% | State: 57.6%, 2023 18.8%of youth (ages 16-24) in Person County were Opportunity Youth. Peer: 14.8% | State: 10.3%, 2023 83.5%of adults (ages 25-44) in Person County participated in the labor force. Peer: 80.7% | State: 84.2%, 2023 2030 Proposed Person County Attainment Goal: 5,871 (Stretch Goal: 5,952)2030 State Attainment Goal: 2 million Updated: Oct 29 2025 Top Opportunities for Growth Postsecondary Completion 53% of Person County high school graduates who enroll in postsecondary education earn a degree or credential within 6 years, below the rural - metro county average of 57%. Degree Credentials Awarded in PZ Sub-Region, 2023 4,998 certificate 5,648 associate 16,524 bachelor’s 42 Basic Skills 506 Continuing Education 233 Curriculum 18.8% of residents (aged 25-44) have some college but no degree. Peer: 16.0% | State: 11.7%, 2023 11.5% of Person County residents have student loan debt; 2.8% of debt holders had student loans in default. 2024 Adult Learners Person County Residents Aged 25+ enrolled in NC Community Colleges, Fall 2023 75.3% of students who enroll persist to their second year. Peer: 80.1% | State: 83.8%, 2023 89.7%UNC 60.3%NCCCS 73.3%NCICU 52.5% of students who enroll earn a degree or certificate within 6 years. Peer: 57.5% | State: 60.0%, 2023 30.5%UNC 13.0%NCCCS 5.6%NCICU Success of Person County High School Graduates Top destinations of all college-goers, 2023 • 1,232 of all college-goers attended Piedmont CC • 136 of all college-goers attended Durham TCC • 98 of all college-goers attended East Carolina University Top Opportunities for Growth Postsecondary Enrollment 45% of Person County seniors enroll in postsecondary education within 12 months of graduation, below the rural - metro county average of 52%. 47.9% of 2024 high school class completed the FAFSA as of Sept. 27, 2024. 76 more need to complete in 2024 to meet state goal of 80%. Peer: 52.0% | State: 55.0% Post High School Graduation Intentions 54.2% of students have parents with no college degree (either 2- or 4-year) 2023 Peer: 55.2% | State: 45.1% 83.1% of 9th graders graduated within four years. 42 more needed to meet state goal of 95%. Peer: 85.7% | State: 87.3% 2024 44.9% of graduates enrolled in a postsecondary institution within 12 months. Peer: 52.0% | State: 59.3% 2023 Postsecondary Enrollment Rates for Select Groups in Person County, 2023 Note: Outcomes for groups with less than 10 students, <5% or >95% are not displayed. Top Opportunities for Growth Reading Performance 24% of Person County 3-8 graders earn college-and-career-ready scores in Reading, below the rural - metro county average of 25%. 67.0% of eligible 4-year-olds enrolled in NC Pre-K program in 2024. 16 more needed to meet state goal of 75%. Peer: 61.7% | State: 57.2% Note: Enrollment numbers only include students served by the NC Pre-K Program and may notrepresent all Pre-K offerings available. 23.9% of 3-8 graders earned college-and-career-ready scores in reading in 2024. 1,013 more needed to meet state goal of 73%. Peer: 25.3% | State: 29.8% 36.3% of 3-8 graders earned college-and-career-ready scores in math in 2024. 1,026 more needed to meet state goal of 86%. Peer: 32.3% | State: 36.5% 23.0% of students were chronically absent from school in 2024. 546 fewer needed to meet state goal of 11%. Peer: 27.4% | State: 25.7% Person County has a student-to-school counselor ratio of 332:1 compared to 352:1 in peer counties. 2024 0.2% of students drop out of high school (2 total students), compared to 2.1% statewide. 2023 Person County Traditional Public Schools students: School & Student Overview (2024 school year) Traditional Public School District(s): 1 Traditional Public School(s): 12 Charter School(s): 2 Private School(s): 2 Home School(s): 240 5,877 total K-12 students enrolled in schools. Students in traditional public schools completed 1,915 Career & Technical Education (CTE) credentials and 239 concentrations. 339 (17.7%) of credentials were industry- valued in 2023. The top three CTE concentrations: Architecture and Construction; Health Science; and Human Services. 70 (6%) high school students took at least one AP, IB, or CIE exam. State: 16.8% (2023). 159 (52.1%) high school graduates participated in Career & College Promise programs. State: 36.0% (2024). Pathways to College and Career Person County 2025 Attainment Profile (all data pertaining to K-12 represents traditional public school students) For more information about each indicator, including data sources and methodology, visit: dashboard.myfuturenc.org/county-data-and-resources/ 136 137 Person County Leadership Summit Summary 2025 Vision: Person Conty is a prosperous and vibrant community that values its rural character, fosters collaboration, and ensures a safe and thriving environment for residents, businesses, and visitors. Mission: Person Conty will build a growing rural economy by attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, supporting business start up and growth, and fostering a business climate that attracts investment. Person County Leadership Summit Summary Person County Board of Commissioners, City of Roxboro Council, and the Person County Economic Development Commission Board convened a leadership summit to develop joint priorities. The agenda included presentations on the fundamentals of economic development and an assessment of Person County’s competitiveness. Participants workshopped initiatives in business attraction, retention, and expansion, product development, capacity building, entrepreneurship, communications, and talent. The outcomes are vision and mission statements, prioritized initiatives, and next steps for the top four initiatives. Prioritized Initiatives 1. Affordable Housing 2. Sites and Buildings for Business Attraction 3. Talent Pipeline Development 4. Airport Development 5. Increased Communications 6. Workforce Development Center 7. Shared Vision for the Future 8. Advanced Websites and Technology Tools 9. Market Job Opportunities 10. Quantify the Return on Public Investments in Economic Person County Leadership Summit Summary 2025 Initiative #1: Affordable Housing • Define “affordable housing” for Person County • Inventory housing projects that are in the pipeline • Ensure UDO is development-friendly • Partner with developers • Explore housing incentives • Assess the housing stock Initiative #2: Sites and Buildings • Inventory vacant properties • Analyze product inventory • Identify and qualify sites • Develop funding tools • Partner with property owners •Identify funding for site development • • • • • Initiative #3: Talent Pipeline • • • • • Not Submitted Due To: 1. Distance from Interstate (5–20 miles) 2. Ceiling height (32–36 ft) 3. Square footage/acreage (50k–100k sqft or 40–100 acres) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 5-10 10-20 20-30 30-50 50-100 100+ ProjectsAcres0246810121416 5,000-50,000 50,000-100,000 100,000-200,000 200,000-300,000 300,000-550,000 550,000+ ProjectsSQFT Preferred Rail 11.6% Rail not Required 88.4% 86 Project Requests January 2025 – Current LOCATION📍📍: 385 MEMORIAL DRIVE TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL SIZE📏📏: 183.90 ACRES LOCATION📍📍: 50 PROVIDENCE RD. TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT) 📏📏: 260,000 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT 📐📐: 15 FT Available Properties: LOCATION📍📍: 415 SEMORA RD TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: OFFICE SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT) 📏📏: 3,100 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT 📐📐: 9-10 FT LOCATION📍📍: 2473 DURHAM RD TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT) 📏📏: 88,000 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT 📐📐: 18 FT LOCATION📍📍: 4080 DURHAM RD. TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: COMMERCIAL SIZE📏📏: 40.10 ACRES LOCATION📍📍: 601 N MADISON BOULEVARD TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: COMMERCIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT) 📏📏: 19,509 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT 📐📐: UNKNOWN LOCATION📍📍: 1803 N. MAIN ST. TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT) 📏📏: 45,000 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT 📐📐: 10-14 FT LOCATION📍📍: 1190 ROBY BARTON RD. TYPE OF SPACE 🏢🏢: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT) 📏📏: 246,079 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT 📐📐: 31 FT Pending NOVEMBER 18, 2025 First Question Asked “What can we realistically and legally build on this site?“ What Developers Look At •Zoning and allowed housing types •Maximum density and setbacks •Utility access (water, sewer, power) •Road access and connectivity •Topography, soils, and environmental constraints Understanding the local housing market (price band & absorption) Next, we look outward at the local housing market. We are trying to answer: •Price band:What do homes like this actually sell for in this area? •Absorption:How many homes per month can the market absorb at those price points? •Buyer profile:Who is buying here, and what can they realistically afford? In simple terms, this gives us the revenue side of the project: •“If we build X homes, we can probably sell them for about $Y each,” •“At Z homes per month, it will take about N years to sell out.” We don’t start from what we wish homes would sell for; we start from what the local data says buyers are actually paying. Other Cost Factors •Topography •Rock •Department of Transportation Requirement •Local Road/Sidewalk Requirements •Local Requirement for Infrastructure Revenue vs Cost Total expected home sales (revenue) –based on realistic price band and absorption Minus total development cost –land price –site work and rock –off -site road improvements –vertical construction –fees, engineering, financing, and soft costs What’s left is the profit margin. Why this matters for public partners From the public side, a parcel can look “perfect for housing,” but from the development side, it only works if: •The market supports prices and absorption strong enough to cover •The true cost of infrastructure, rock, roads, and regulations There must be a reasonable margin left after those costs. Where Local Governments Can Help •Providing clear, predictable rules and timelines •Coordinating on off-site requirements and infrastructure planning •Making sure expectations around exactions and improvements are grounded in what the current market can support When the local market only supports homes in the $250k–$270k range, and the project already has to cover normal construction and development costs, big extra costs from rock or off-site road work come straight out of the land value and the developer’s margin. If those extra costs get too high, the project doesn’t get built—no matter how badly the community wants new housing on that site. Available Properties Available Properties LOCATION: 415 SEMORA RD TYPE OF SPACE: OFFICE SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT): 3,100 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT: 9-10 FT LOCATION: 601 N MADISON BOULEVARD TYPE OF SPACE: COMMERCIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT): 19,509 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT: UNKNOWN Available Properties LOCATION: 2473 DURHAM RD TYPE OF SPACE: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT): 88,000 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT: 18 FT LOCATION: 1803 N. MAIN ST. TYPE OF SPACE: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT): 45,000 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT: 10-14 FT Available Properties LOCATION: 4080 DURHAM RD. TYPE OF SPACE: COMMERCIAL SIZE: 40.10 ACRES LOCATION: 1190 ROBY BARTON RD. TYPE OF SPACE: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT): 246,079 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT: 31 FT Pending Available Properties LOCATION: 50 PROVIDENCE RD. TYPE OF SPACE: INDUSTRIAL SQUARE FOOTAGE (SQFT): 260,000 SQFT CEILING HEIGHT: 15 FT LOCATION: 385 MEMORIAL DRIVE TYPE OF SPACE: COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL SIZE: 183.90 ACRES Swiss Delegation November 8th, 2025 Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) Regional Brochure Life Science Brochure North Carolina Quick Facts FAYETTEVILLE CHARLOTTE ASHEVILLE GREENSBORO DURHAM/ CHAPEL HILL RALEIGH WILMINGTON MOREHEAD CITY Population $11M Most Populous State 9TH Labor Force $5.5M People Move to NC per day 451 Distinct Regions Piedmont,Mountains, Coast 3 GDP $839B Community College 58 Community Colleges in North Carolina Annual community college students enrolled each year in NC 600K Community Colleges in the Triangle Region 7 Average Home Price By County Median Price of All Homes Sold in 2024 Person$369,000 Granville$364,950 Warren$398,750 Franklin$426,675 Nash$336,900 Durham$467,671 Orange$593,250 Wilson$350,000 Wake$532,500 Lee$359,95 Harnett$345,000 Johnston$370,925 Chatham$841,500 COMPANY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Polywood, LLC 500 Duke Energy Progress 226 Spuntech 203 Louisiana-Pacific 150 Person Memorial Hospital 150 Open Book Extracts 95 US Flue Cured Tobacco 103 Eaton Corporation 101 Major Employers Farm City Breakfast 2025 Ignite 2025 KERR-TAR REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS & GRANVILLE COUNTY Carolina Core Person County Leadership Summit NCDOT Meeting at Person County Airport Highlights September 2025-November 2025 - Bryan and Brandy staff attended the NCEDA Fall Conference - Participated in Vance Granville Job Fair - Continuing talks with multiple developers looking at land on Hwy 501 - Brandy was invited to speak at the Environmental Issues Committee - Brandy attended the Carolina Luncheon for Real Estate Agents and Consultants - Brandy attended the quarterly meeting with RTRP - The Farm City Breakfast was well attended and turned out to be a larger crowd than expected Upcoming Events of Interest - Jingle on Main December 4 - The Economic Development Department will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 27-28 and Christmas on December 24-26 - Numerous Business After Hours and Ribbon Cuttings EDC Minutes for September 23, 2025 Minutes of the PCEDC Regularly Scheduled Meeting Person County EDC Board Room 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 September 23, 2025 Voting Board Members Present: Dr. Scott McKinney- Chairman Mr. Jody Blackwell Mr. Phillip Allen- Vice-Chairman Mr. Kenneth Perry Dr. Claudia Berryhill, Agricultural Representative Mr. Jay Poindexter The Honorable Sherry Wilborn Voting Board Members Absent: The Honorable Merilyn Newell-Secretary Ex Officios Present: Ms. Katherine Cathey, County Manager Mr. Brooks Lockhart, City Manager Dr. Kevin Lee, PCC President Dr. Rodney Peterson, PCS Superintendent ED Staff Present: Others Present: Ms. Brandy Lynch, Director Ms. Julie Maybee Ms. Briana Whitt, Specialist (Minutes) Ms. Sallie Vaughn Mr. Bryan Eatmon, Existing Industry Specialist Mr. George Willoughby Ms. Dana Blackwell Ms. Kim Strickland Mr. Bo Freeman Ms. Grayson Brann EDC Welcome and Invocation: At 4:00 p.m., Chairman McKinney called the meeting to order. Mr. Phillip Allen gave the invocation. 1 of 19 EDC Minutes for September 23, 2025 Consent Agenda: Chairman McKinney recognized Mr. Phillip Allen for the approval of the August 26, Meeting Minutes and calendar amendments to the consent agenda as presented. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed for approval of the consent agenda as presented. Motion: The Honorable Sherry Wilborn Second: Mr. Jay Poindexter Spuntech Celebration: Mr. Eatmon has reached out to Yael Peleg, the plant manager at Spuntech, regarding the company's 20-year anniversary in Person County. It would be ideal to host the celebration at their facility. We discussed having a plaque made to commemorate 20 years of business in Person County. Additionally, we plan to provide hors d'oeuvres and light refreshments. We should arrange for a photo opportunity and invite the local newspaper editor to join us, as this would be a great way to generate positive public relations for them. We are still sorting out the dates for the celebration, but are considering the second half of October. Opportunity Zones: Commissioner Wilborn shared a couple of articles about a speculative industrial park. She believes this is the direction we should take in Granville County and has been working to build a relationship with the developer involved. Last week, at the RTRP event, Ms. Wilborn met the site selector who assisted them in navigating this arrangement. Both the developer and the site selector have agreed to join us for a brief call to provide an overview of the project and explain why they chose to invest outside of the Triangle area for this significant venture. The representative from Trinity Capital Advisors was Matthew Houchins, and Diane Jones from their Charlotte office. Commissioner Wilborn asked the representatives to provide some insight about the project they are planning for Granville County. Mr. Houchins mentioned that they have been active in the Triangle market for approximately 25 years. Over the last five to seven years, their primary focus has been on developing advanced manufacturing, industrial logistics, and distribution. He noted that they have developed around 11 to 15 logistics and distribution facilities, as well as advanced manufacturing spaces in the Triangle region during this time. These facilities typically range in size from 100,000 to 300,000 square feet. Additionally, they have constructed some buildings that are as large as one million square feet in the Carolinas, particularly in Charlotte and other locations. 2 of 19 EDC Minutes for September 23, 2025 Mr. Houchins is exploring development opportunities in Gardner, Clayton, Wendell, Butner, Fuquay-Varina, and Holly Springs. As the population increases, available sites in these areas have decreased, pushing the market outward. He targets homeowners of parcels between 50 and 150 acres to see if they're interested in selling. Over six to twelve months, he built a relationship with one property owner through conversations on the porch and phone calls, ultimately securing the land. He plans to develop about 1 million square feet of industrial space across five buildings, which will take approximately three to four years to complete. One of the main challenges in finding development sites in the Triangle area is the lack of infrastructure, particularly near sewer lines. Larger building sites often require significant upgrades, but companies like Trinity Capital are willing to invest in these improvements. For instance, Ms. Jones noted their $5 million investment to extend a sewer line over a mile, benefiting the entire Granville County community. This public-private partnership is crucial, as these investments not only meet project requirements but also positively affect the surrounding area. Furthermore, using tax incentives and grant reimbursements can encourage infrastructure improvements that benefit the community as a whole. During our last meeting, the concept of Opportunity Zones 2.0 was introduced, and examined these zones on a general map, gaining a clear understanding of which areas are included. Sally was able to overlay the census tracts that are eligible to become Opportunity Zones in the next iteration onto our county map. This feature activates layers for water and sewer information, allowing us to zoom in on existing buildings and other economic development assets. Leadership Summit Planning: The contract with the outside consultant has been approved, and the participation of PCBIC and Carolina Core could help offset some of the costs associated with this contract. Commissioner Wilborn and Dr. McKinney are eager to begin working with the consultant. Ms. Morphis, the outside consultant, sent a survey to Commissioner Wilborn yesterday, which will be distributed to three participating boards. The survey is ready to be sent out, and Ms. Wilborn will handle the distribution. The survey will remain open for 10 days, so please be on the lookout for the survey from our facilitator, Crystal Morphis. Two hours have been reserved for the summit. Chairman's Report: Dr. McKinney stated that early voting is now available. Additionally, the board has been asked to consider a letter of support for Person County Schools' needs-based capital grant application. 3 of 19 EDC Minutes for September 23, 2025 Dr. Peterson stated that Person County Schools is applying for the needs-based grant, again, for new schools. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to sign the letter of support for the need-based capital grant application. Motion: Mr. Phillip Allen Second: Mr. Jay Poindexter Dr. McKinney also mentioned that the Board of Adjustment's public hearing is tonight in the Person County Office Building. Member Comments: Mr. Allen emphasized the importance of creating a business-friendly environment to attract investment and promote the economic well-being of our community. He stressed that our measures are clear and that investors know what to expect. He also discussed the significance of the upcoming leadership summit, which will bring together the Economic Development Commission (EDC), the Board of Commissioners, and the City Council—a collaboration that hasn’t occurred in a long time. Promoting Person County, with its single municipality, should foster strong cooperation among our political subdivisions. This summit marks the beginning of improving our livability and appealing to business investors. As mentioned in my invocation, we need to come together and work collaboratively for a better future. Commissioner Wilborn attended a well-organized RTRP event last week, involving the five- member counties in the Kerr-Tar region, led by Barbara from Franklin County. Dr. Berryhill announced that the wayfinding sign project is still in progress. She also invites everyone to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Person Memorial Hospital on October 23. Additionally, Dr. Berryhill expressed gratitude to our extension office for their hard work for the upcoming Farm City week, the week of November 3rd. Dr. Lee noted the job fair at South Campus had an impressive turnout with cars lined almost to Highway 501 and over 50 vendors present. Progress is being made on multiple projects on the south campus. Recently, Piedmont Community College (PCC) received a $475,000 National Science Foundation grant for our artificial intelligence and cybersecurity initiatives at the Person County campus. Additionally, we joined the Carolina Cyber Network, which secured us $75,000 to upgrade our computer labs. PCC enrollments are up about 10%, which is encouraging compared to other colleges that are seeing fluctuations between a decrease of 2% and an increase of 3%. PCC is introducing new programs and expect a decision on one of our grants by October 2. 4 of 19 EDC Minutes for September 23, 2025 Dr. Lee recently met with the design team for the South Campus, to discuss goals and budget. PCC aims to start projects focused on skilled trades. This Thursday, PCC will be hosting a Counselor Appreciation Breakfast for Person County Schools, with the goal that all counselors will leave with a clear understanding of our college offerings. Dr. Lee also stated that they are still waiting on the full state budget. Dr. Peterson stated that Person County Schools has achieved the highest graduation rate ever, at 91.3%. Mr. Lockhart reported that the city has approximately 120 voters so far. He also updated on the wastewater project. Ms. Cathey noted that state-level processes are ongoing. Governor Stein has requested funds from the General Assembly to match federal dollars, and we are working hard to secure recovery funding for the city. Additionally, we are requesting Department of Transportation needs and county cleanup costs. Ms. Cathey is pleased to announce that Nishith Trivedi will become our new planning director starting next Thursday, October 2. Trivedi is the current Transportation Director for Orange County. Noting he has a solid planning background The Interim Director, Margaret, will assist during the transition. Director Report: Ms. Lynch provided more information at the job fair and received positive feedback. The Economic Development Department was invited to Vance-Granville’s career fair on October 22. The goal is to make the job fair an annual event. Lynch informs the board that the County Manager submitted both the PCC and Person Family Medical Centers projects to Golden Leaf, which the Person County Board of Commissioners decided to move forward with for the Golden Leaf program grant. Ms. Lynch was invited to speak at the Kiwanis meeting again, indicating they still had questions from the previous meeting Ms. Whitt attended a community health roundtable at Person Memorial Hospital Lynch informed the board of the upcoming manufacturing week and the route they were invited to attend. Mr. Eatmon also attended the Vance County Housing Summit Lynch was able to present at the —the RTRP Summit, , aimed to promote the region outside the Triangle. Lynch received positive feedback on the event and its impact on businesses interested in relocating here. RTRP is considering making this a yearly event. 5 of 19 EDC Minutes for September 23, 2025 Ms. Lynch was invited by Bob Brower of the Person County Environmental Issues Advisory Committee to discuss the Microsoft property and other questions. She has also reached out to Person Memorial Hospital regarding vacant buildings owned by the hospital. Dr. Old’s former office has been purchased and transformed for a medical practice, making it adaptable for office space. Also, Dr. Short's practice is for sale; however, they prefer not to sell the building separately. If anyone is interested in a full medical practice, it’s available. The Kerr-Tar Summit is scheduled for October 9th, with approximately 150 people registered. Recently, a Veteran Services Officer approached the department to request a donation of bags for distributing materials at a veterans' banquet. Ms. Lynch took this opportunity to share our information with the veterans, which led to a positive conversation and a thank-you letter. The event had over 100 attendees, which is impressive. Dr. McKinney and Ms. Lynch discussed some unfortunate news: Blue Ridge Power is laying off 517 workers in Asheville and Fayetteville, including 169 in Asheville. This comes as the governor is pushing for more job investment in western North Carolina, which makes the layoffs particularly unfortunate. Blue Ridge has developed seven gigawatts of solar infrastructure across 14 states, but this is still a setback for the region. On a positive note, developers have been reaching out about the need for a hotel. They have expressed interest and confirmed that specific parcels of land are could be a fit for development Lynch is providing developers with data and a presentation she gave at RTRP, they were pleased with the information. Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County EDC Board Room, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC. This will be a meeting of the Person County Economic Development Commission Leadership Committee. Adjournment: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to adjourn the meeting at approximately 5:23 p.m. Motion: Mr. Phillip Allen Second: Mr. Jay Poindexter _____________________________________ ______________________________________ Date Approved Secretary 6 of 19 Date: September 23, 2025 Time: 4:00 pm Location: EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Regularly-Scheduled Meeting Agenda Time Item Leader 4:00 Welcome Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:01 Invocation Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Vice-Chairman 4:02 Consent Agenda Approval of the Minutes for August 26, 2025 Calendar Amendments **Request a motion to approve the consent Agenda as presented.Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:05 Spuntech Celebration Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:10 Opportunity Zones The Honorable Sherry Wilborn 4:30 Leadership Summit Planning Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:35 Chairman Report Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:40 Member Comments Members and Ex Officios 4:45 Director Report Ms. Brandy Lynch, ED Director 4:50 Next Meeting Set for October 16, 2025, 3:30 pm, EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:50 **Adjourn Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman **Action Requested 7 of 19 Executive Board Meeting Leadership Summit ««Notice: For Emergency and/or Special Called Meetings of the EDC, please check the EDC Meeting Materials section of the EDC website.»» Upcoming 2025 Meeting Dates for the Person County Economic Development Commission Date: Time: Location: January 28, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** February 25, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** March 25, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** April 22, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** May 27, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** June 24, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** July 22, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** August 26, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** September 23, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** October 16, 2025 Additional 3:30 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building October 28, 2025 Rescheduled 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** October 30, 2025 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. Person County Auditorium Building November 18, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building*** December 2025* TBD TBD *The EDC meets on 4th Tuesdays of every month. Because the 4th Tuesday of December 2025 falls on the week of a major holiday, the Commission will determine at its November meeting whether to hold a December meeting. **Person County Transit & Development Center is located at 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC 27573 *** The November meeting will be on the 3rd Tuesday. For more information, please contact the ED Office at 336.597.1752. 8 of 19 FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF SHERRYWILBORN@RURALADVANTAGENC.COM From the Triangle Business Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/01/butner-industrial- project-trinity-capital-advisors.html SUBSCRIBER CONTENT: Commercial Real Estate Charlotte firm eyes I-85 corridor for 1M- square-foot industrial project BREAKING Owner of historic inn hits bankruptcy Sign up for breaking news alerts 9/22/25, 4:16 PM Trinity Capital Advisors plans 1M-square-foot industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/01/butner-industrial-project-trinity-capital-advisors.html 1/4 9 of 19 Listen to this article 4 min Story Highlights Trinity Capital Advisors seeks to build 1.1 million sq ft industrial park in Butner. Project aims to bring jobs and growth to Butner's stagnant population. Construction may start fall 2025, pending Town Council approval. A small town north of Durham may soon be getting a huge industrial park that could bring major growth. Charlotte-based real estate firm Trinity Capital Advisors is seeking to rezone 157 acres off I-85 Service Road in Butner to pave the way for over 1 million square feet of industrial development, according to plans submitted to the town in Granville County. The land is owned by the Bradsher family and has a market value of just shy of $2.3 million, according to county deed records. Trinity Capital Advisors did not respond to multiple requests seeking comment about its plans for the industrial park. The land is zoned for residential- agricultural (RA) use, and Trinity Capital Advisors is seeking to rezone it to non-residential conditional zoning. The group is also requesting that the land be annexed into the Town of Butner. Per town documents, the project, called the "Falls Lake Industrial Park," will consist of five speculative industrial buildings that cover a combined total of By Ben Tobin – Reporter, Triangle Business Journal Jul 1, 2025 Updated Jul 1, 2025 8:41am EDT Plans call for a multi-building industrial park in Butner. SCREENSHOT OF TOWN OF BUTNER DOCUMENTS 9/22/25, 4:16 PM Trinity Capital Advisors plans 1M-square-foot industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/01/butner-industrial-project-trinity-capital-advisors.html 2/4 10 of 19 roughly 1.1 millions square feet. The buildings would be for light manufacturing and warehousing. Trinity Capital Advisors anticipates starting construction in fall 2025, assuming the project is approved by the Butner Town Council, according to a project summary. The Butner Planning Board recommended approval of the rezoning during a June 12 meeting. The Triangle's industrial real estate market remains red hot, with demand not showing any signs of slowing down. 36°05'57.0"N 78°45'41.9"W 36XQ+M89 Butner, North Carolina Directions View larger map Map data ©2025 Imagery ©2025 Airbus, CNES / Airbus, Landsat / Copernicus, Maxar Technologies Report a map error In its application for the rezoning, Trinity Capital Advisors said "the proposed industrial park would attract a wide range of potential tenants that would bring many jobs and economic growth to the area." Per the application, construction 9/22/25, 4:16 PM Trinity Capital Advisors plans 1M-square-foot industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/01/butner-industrial-project-trinity-capital-advisors.html 3/4 11 of 19 would be done in two phases, with the first three buildings in the first phase and the last two in the second. The project proposal comes as Butner, which has struggled with new construction due to water issues that have plagued southern Granville County, is poised to capitalize on new sewer capacity to support development. The South Granville Water and Sewer Authority (SGWASA) broke ground in March on a $75 million project that will address problems with the utility and increase capacity for future growth. That project is set to wrap up in 2027 or 2028. Per town materials for the proposed industrial project, "SGWASA is in conversation with this developer about the placement of the water and sewer lines and ownership. They have not seen construction plans for this, other than the preliminary plans, and can’t make further comments as it relates to utilities. Additional comments may be forthcoming during permit review." Butner's population sits at just above 8,100 and hasn't grown much over the past 15 years, according to U.S. Census data. The land proposed for the industrial park is just south of the Gate 2 Road exit off Interstate 85. Butner leaders are studying potential changes to this road, which is the main thoroughfare of the town, to promote future residential, industrial and commercial development. Ben Tobin covers real estate and economic development in the Greater Triangle, focusing on the counties outside Wake, Durham and Orange. Have a tip? Reach him at btobin@bizjournals.com or (919) 327-1012. 9/22/25, 4:16 PM Trinity Capital Advisors plans 1M-square-foot industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/01/butner-industrial-project-trinity-capital-advisors.html 4/4 12 of 19 FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF SHERRYWILBORN@RURALADVANTAGENC.COM From the Triangle Business Journal: https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/08/butner-nc-industrial- park-trinity-capital-advisors.html SUBSCRIBER CONTENT: CRANE WATCH Commercial Real Estate Industrial park could bring 500 jobs to North Carolina town BREAKING Owner of historic inn hits bankruptcy Sign up for breaking news alerts 9/22/25, 4:18 PM Trinity Capital to build $130M industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/08/butner-nc-industrial-park-trinity-capital-advisors.html 1/5 13 of 19 Listen to this article 3 min Story Highlights Butner Town Council approves Falls Lake Industrial Park development. Trinity Capital Advisors plans to invest $130 million, creating 500 jobs. Plans for construction of five buildings totaling 1.1 million square feet. A new industrial park that could bring hundreds of jobs to a small town north of Durham officially has the green light. Butner Town Council, located in Granville County, voted last week to approve annexation and rezoning for the "Falls Lake Industrial Park" development on By Ben Tobin – Reporter, Triangle Business Journal Jul 8, 2025 A Charlotte firm is planning more than 1 million square feet of industrial space in Granville County. SCREENSHOT OF TOWN OF BUTNER DOCUMENTS 9/22/25, 4:18 PM Trinity Capital to build $130M industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/08/butner-nc-industrial-park-trinity-capital-advisors.html 2/5 14 of 19 157 acres off Interstate 85 Service Road. The project is led by Charlotte-based real estate firm Trinity Capital Advisors. Plans call for the construction of five speculative industrial buildings totaling about 1.1 million square feet of space. It would add to the region's supply of industrial and warehouse space, a sector that continues to see high demand as new space is delivered. Mark Frederick, an attorney with the Raleigh office of Parker Poe who is representing Trinity on this project, said during last week's meeting that the project is a "substantial investment into the town." "In terms of job creation, Trinity is expecting about 500 jobs with this project, or about 100 jobs per building," Frederick said during the meeting. "Depending on the tenant mix, this will range from entry-level roles up to high-skill positions. But the direct benefit there is employment opportunities for local residents in the area.” 9/22/25, 4:18 PM Trinity Capital to build $130M industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/08/butner-nc-industrial-park-trinity-capital-advisors.html 3/5 15 of 19 36°05'57.0"N 78°45'41.9"W 36XQ+M89 Butner, North Carolina Directions View larger map Map data ©2025 Report a map error Frederick added that Trinity plans to invest up to $130 million in the development. The land is owned by the Bradsher family and has a market value of just shy of $2.3 million, according to county deed records. According to materials submitted to the town, construction will start this fall and will be done in two phases, with the first three buildings in the first phase and the last two in the second. Representatives of Trinity did not respond to requests seeking comment about a full construction timeline. The Butner Town Council voted unanimously for the rezoning and annexation. "The rezoning makes sense. I think that’s what needs to be there," Councilman Thomas Lane said during the meeting. "It gives us the opportunity to make good use of that land. It would be difficult for a lot of other kinds of function on that property. This just fits naturally well within the natural part of the land, 9/22/25, 4:18 PM Trinity Capital to build $130M industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/08/butner-nc-industrial-park-trinity-capital-advisors.html 4/5 16 of 19 and I see lots of opportunities to protect the land with all of the holding ponds and the natural water sites." This project could be transformative for the Granville County town. Butner's population sits at just above 8,100 and hasn't grown much over the past 15 years, according to U.S. Census data. The land proposed for the industrial park is just south of the Gate 2 Road exit off Interstate 85. Butner leaders are studying potential changes to this road, which is the main thoroughfare of the town, to promote future residential, industrial and commercial development. Ben Tobin covers real estate and economic development in the Greater Triangle, focusing on the counties outside Wake, Durham and Orange. Have a tip? Reach him at btobin@bizjournals.com or (919) 327-1012. 9/22/25, 4:18 PM Trinity Capital to build $130M industrial park in Butner - Triangle Business Journal https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/08/butner-nc-industrial-park-trinity-capital-advisors.html 5/5 17 of 19 Highlights August 2025-September 2025 - The Person County Job Fair and Resource Expo was held on September 10. It was a huge success, with 56 resources and employers attending. - New pictures were put in the boardroom and office space. - The County Manager sent two project requests to Golden Leaf for grant funding. - Brandy was invited to speak at the Kiwanis meeting - Bri attended the community health round table at Person Memorial Hospital - Bryan attended the Kerr-Tar Housing Summit at Vance Granville Community College Civic Center - RTRP hosted a Region Summit for brokers and developers - Brandy was asked to meet with Robert Brauer, Chairman of the Person County Environmental Issues Advisory Committee Upcoming Events of Interest - Ribbon Cutting for Wayfinding Signs will be on October 2 - Manufacturing Day is on October 3 - Personality is scheduled for October 3 and 4 - The Kerr Tar Summit is set for October 9, 2025. - Economic Development will host the Civics Academy on October 16. - The NCEDA Fall conference is scheduled for October 20-21 in Asheville. - Vance Granville Career Fair will be on October 22 - Good morning coffee hours on September 24, October 8, and October 22 18 of 19 Information for the EDC Advisory Board -At the October 6th Person County Board of Commissioners meeting, there will be a public hearing on the Solar Ordinance and the SUP for PEMC’s Bowen Road Substation Expansion 19 of 19 EDC Minutes for October 16, 2025 Minutes of the PCEDC Regularly Scheduled Executive Board Meeting Person County EDC Board Room 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 October 16, 2025 Voting Board Members Present: Dr. Scott McKinney- Chairman Voting Board Members Absent: The Honorable Merilyn Newell-Secretary The Honorable Sherry Wilborn Mr. Phillip Allen- Vice-Chairman ED Staff Present: Ms. Brandy Lynch, Director Ms. Briana Whitt, Specialist (Minutes) Mr. Bryan Eatmon, Existing Industry Specialist EDC Welcome At 4:00 p.m., Chairman McKinney recognized there was not a quorum. Next Meeting: The next meeting is announced for Friday, October 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County EDC Board Room, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC. Adjournment: Dr. McKinney adjourned the meeting at 4:01 p.m. _____________________________________ ______________________________________ Date Approved Secretary 1 of 2 Date: October 16, 2025 Time: 3:30 pm Location: EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Executive Committee Meeting Agenda Time Item Leader 3:30 pm Welcome Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 3:31 pm Invocation Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Vice-Chairman 3:32 pm Person County Economic Development Discussion Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:00 pm Next Meeting Set for October 30, 4:00 pm, Person County Auditorium, 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 4:00 pm **Adjourn Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman **Action Requested 2 of 2 EDC Minutes for October 24, 2025 Minutes of the PCEDC Scheduled Executive Board Meeting Person County EDC Board Room 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 October 24, 2025 Executive Board Members Present: Dr. Scott McKinney- Chairman Mr. Jody Blackwell The Honorable Merilyn Newell Mr. Kenneth Perry The Honorable Sherry Wilborn Mr. Jay Poindexter Mr. Phillip Allen- Vice-Chairman EDC Members Present: Mr. Jody Blackwell Mr. Kenneth Perry Mr. Jay Poindexter EDC Ex Officios Present: Ms. Katherine Cathey, County Manager ED Staff Present: Others Present: Ms. Brandy Lynch, Director Ms. Julie Maybee Ms. Briana Whitt, Specialist (Minutes) Ms. Sonya Carver Mr. Bryan Eatmon, Existing Industry Specialist Mr. George Willoughby Mr. Robert Hornik Executive Meeting Call to order: At 10:00 a.m., Chairman McKinney called the meeting to order. Discussion: Dr. McKinney welcomed the Executive Board to their first official meeting and emphasized the importance of supporting EDC Director Brandy Lynch in guiding the county staff towards success. He encouraged open discussion and collaboration to explore how the board could assist Ms. Lynch. One key agenda item was to provide direction on the EDC meeting calendar for 2026, which could be influenced by discussions regarding the frequency of meetings for the board and the executive group. McKinney mentioned ongoing communication with the county 1 of 7 EDC Minutes for October 24, 2025 manager about confidential matters and encouraged Ms. Lynch to share her expectations with the board. Ms. Lynch began by thanking Dr. McKinney noting this new board set up was different and we would have to navigate through it. Lynch stated she was not sure what the expectations were therefore she would start off with providing information about a conversation that she had with Dr. McKinney. Dr. McKinney had advised he was available if needed and that he and the director would maintain contact including. sharing days off. The director would continue to work with the county manager on key items. She will have monthly meetings with the county manager due to the necessity of her input in the directors’ work. Dr. McKinney and Ms. Lynch discussed streamlining communication so that the executive board and EDC could request tasks through him, thereby reducing the number of emails and directions from multiple sources. Ms. Lynch feels that the staff has been uncertain and stressed for the past several months. She hopes we can clarify expectations, work through the issues, and reduce stress. Dr. McKinney emphasizes that Ms. Lynch, as the Director of the economic development department and the staff representative to the Economic Development Commission, provides essential guidance and leadership. Recently, there has been a lack of direction in the board’s engagement, and in hopes of addressing that this is why the changes were taking place. Dr. McKinney notes that as the chair of the Economic Commission, it is his role to ensure the commission operates smoothly, while seeing that Director Lynch is the chief economic development leader for our county. We need to clarify the roles of all parties involved, as we report to the county commissioners, who want us to be more active. The executive board's responsibility is to support the director between full commission meetings, and we need to navigate these roles effectively. Dr. McKinney opened the floor to other member of the executive board. The Honorable Merilyn Newell that she will likely be the shortest-lived member of the committee since her role changes in December when a new Mayor of Roxboro will take office. She has been with the Economic Development Commission for 13 years and is focused on ensuring a smooth transition by bringing the new Mayor up to speed on economic development matters. She emphasized the importance of selecting a new Secretary for the executive committee, as this person will take her place. Newell believes it's crucial for the committee to come together to discuss objectives and collaborate effectively, avoiding confusion and promoting clear directives in economic development. Commissioner Wilborn emphasized the importance of full involvement from the EDC board. She recognized the non-executive board member in attendance. Poindexter noted that he received an email about the meeting, and he attended. Dr. McKinney clarified that this was just an executive board meeting, and they were welcome to stay, but did not have to. Lynch explained 2 of 7 EDC Minutes for October 24, 2025 that, according to the County Manager and the County Attorney, the executive board meetings of the EDC still had to be handled like any other open meeting. Notices of the meeting and minutes had to be taken. Mr. Poindexter and Mr. Blackwell thanked the Chairman for the information and then decided to exit. The Honorable Sherry Wilborn was apprehensive of the proposed communication funnel. She did not want only two people to know what was going on. She stated she felt the current issue was that the County Manager and the Director had specific information that was not shared, and she did not want that information to shift from the County Manager and the Director to the Director and the Chairman. She advocated for the executive committee to receive regular updates and input. . She mentioned the upcoming closed session with the attorney to discuss legal guidance and framework. The Commissioner highlighted the intent to underscore the board's commitment to meeting more frequently. The Commissioner suggested that the executive committee should hold monthly meetings ahead of the full board meetings to review the agenda and ensure cohesiveness in their efforts. Mr. Allen, reflecting on the past couple of years, he noted concern with the Economic Development Commission (EDC) appointments. While the county commission appointed us, we felt sidelined and uninformed about key developments. The county manager, the executive director, and perhaps one commissioner seemed to have all the insights, leaving the EDC board out of the loop. As the chairman at that time, he takes some responsibility for that. Allen stated, if we're discussing inclusion and engaging everyone, transparency is vital. While some details are confidential, we must ensure that everyone involved understands the process to ensure success in economic development for the county’s prosperity. As we reorganize, clarity is essential. Allen believed today’s meeting was an executive board meeting for the four of us, so he was surprised to see others present. We need to define the purpose of our executive meetings, whether they should be public, and ensure we're all aligned in our goals for the county's economic success. Dr. McKinney stated that with the new supervisor responsibilities, we must understand and implement county HR policies, particularly in our professional treatment of the EDC director, whom we now supervise instead of the county manager. Ms. Carver has a work plan in place for the EDC director, Ms. Lynch, who has been working under the county manager this year. Reviews occur at different times, and Ms. Lynch's next review is set for mid-January 2026, which needs to be conducted by the executive board or the whole board, an open question at this time. Ms. Carver mentioned that Ms. Lynch has a work plan established with the county manager during her last evaluation in January. It is recommended for the county manager to provide updates on how Ms. Lynch is meeting her goals before a review meeting with Dr. McKinney, the 3 of 7 EDC Minutes for October 24, 2025 Chairman, in January alongside the executive board. There will be an opportunity for the County Manager to update the work plan, and Ms. Lynch is responsible for sharing her accomplishments up to the point of supervision changes. Input from the board may help adjust the goals or create a fresh start for the subsequent evaluation. Additionally, keeping in mind that the work plan process for employees will be transitioning to an online format via Negov, which may result in some changes for the next evaluation period. Ms. Lynch expressed concerns regarding communication with Vice Chairman Allen and the county manager. She mentioned that there are matters she cannot discuss with the full board and stressed the importance of confidentiality. She highlighted that the former Chairman Allen approved the final agenda and acknowledged the need for her to work closely with the county manager. She noted he was aware she was working on things that could not be discussed. Mr. Robert Hornik warned the board that they were starting to discuss personnel matters that should not be discussed in open session. Additionally, Lynch discussed the idea proposed by Dr. McKinney about possibly having the executive committee meet monthly, allowing the whole board to avoid formal meetings when unnecessary. She clarified that her intention was not to meet less but to respect everyone's time while ensuring effective communication. Ms. Newell thinks it’s appropriate to provide a general outline of the topics you can't discuss with the board. They should understand the nature of your role. You don't need to be client- specific; using code names has always worked. This approach will help clarify your limitations concerning the items you've provided. Ms. Lynch mentioned that she believed Dr. McKinney had spoken to the county manager about day-to-day interactions discussed in monthly meetings. She noted the importance of having discussions with the county manager. Commissioner Wilborn concurred with Mayor Newell, emphasizing that the board has been together for a long time, with a shared understanding of essential boundaries and effective communication. The commissioners expect that each board member was strategically chosen for their knowledge of the community. Commissioner Wilborn noted she had attended community events where Ms. Lynch had presented, and she was not aware of some of the information in her presentation. Stating that information was critical information with the community that elected officials should be aware of. Ms. Lynch noted she was not sure what that information was. However, sometimes information could just recently be shared legally. 4 of 7 EDC Minutes for October 24, 2025 Closed Session: Chairman McKinney requested a motion to enter into Closed Session to be held in Sonya Carver’s office, at 304 N. Main Street pursuant to NC General Statutes 143-318.11(a)(6), to include The Honorable Merilyn Newell, The Honorable Sherry Wilborn, Vice Chairman Phillip Allen, Chairman, Scott McKinney, Human Resources Director Sonya Carver, and attorney Robert Hornick. Director Lynch advised that someone from inside the closed session would need to capture the meeting minutes. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to go into closed session. Motion: The Honorable Merilyn Newell Second: Mr. Phillip Allen Closed Session was entered into at 10:48 am. Chairman McKinney, Vice-Chairman Allen, and The Honorable Mayor Newell returned to the EDC Board room at approximately 12:14 pm. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to exit the closed session. Motion: The Honorable Merilyn Newell Second: Mr. Phillip Allen p.m. The Closed Session was exited at 12:15 p.m. at the EDC Board Room Next Meeting: The next meeting is announced for Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County Auditorium, 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC. Adjournment: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to adjourn the meeting at approximately 12:16 p.m. 5 of 7 EDC Minutes for October 24, 2025 Motion: Mr. Phillip Allen Second: The Honorable Merilyn Newell _____________________________________ ______________________________________ Date Approved Secretary 6 of 7 Date: October 24, 2025 Time: 10:00 am Location: EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Executive Board Meeting Agenda Time Item Leader 10:00 am Welcome Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 10:00 am Discussion Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 11:00 am Closed Session **Request motion to enter into Closed Session pursuant to NC General Statutes 143-318.11(a)(6) Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 12:00 am Next Meeting Set for October 30, 2025, 4:00 pm, Person County Auditorium, 304 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman 12:00 am **Adjourn Dr. Scott McKinney, Chairman **Action Requested 7 of 7