04-14-2026 Meeting Minutes EDC - Executive BoardEDC Minutes for April 14, 2026
Minutes of the PCEDC Regularly Scheduled Executive Board Meeting
Person County EDC Board Room
303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573
April 14, 2026
Voting Board Members Present:
The Honorable Sherry Wilborn
Mr. Phillip Allen- Vice-Chairman
Dr. Claudia Berryhill- Secretary
ED Staff Present: Others Present:
Ms. Briana Whitt, Specialist (Minutes) Ms. Katherine Cathey
Mr. Bryan Eatmon, Existing Industry Specialist
EDC Welcome and Invocation:
At 9:04 a.m., Vice-Chairman Allen called the meeting to order.
Vice-Chairman Allen asked Dr. Berryhill to give the invocation.
Agenda Prep for April EDC Meeting:
The Committee reviewed agenda needs for the upcoming April EDC meeting. Members noted
that an election for Chair will take place in April, and it was reported that one member has
agreed to be considered for the position. The Committee emphasized the importance of
maintaining continuity in leadership during the transition period.
The Committee also discussed two current vacancies on the EDC Board. Two prospective
applicants submitted materials in time for consideration by the Board of Commissioners at their
upcoming meeting. Members noted the importance of recruiting qualified individuals with
demonstrated commitment to economic and community development.
Committee members expressed support for having the updated EDC Action Plan ready for
review and adoption at the April meeting. There was also interest in scheduling industry visits
and identifying three priority employers for early engagement. Members requested that these
visits begin as soon as feasible.
EDC Minutes for April 14, 2026
Questions were raised regarding the status of the Opportunity Zone application process and
participation in the upcoming State of the Region event. Members discussed confirming
attendance and ensuring the event is on participants’ calendars.
The Committee agreed that Economic Development Week (May 4–8) should be recognized with
proactive messaging, including a proclamation request to the Board of Commissioners and daily
public communications highlighting existing industries.
The Committee discussed the need for coordinated public messaging regarding data centers
due to increasing statewide attention and public questions. Members expressed interest in
planning a structured, fact-based community information session led by the EDC, with attention
to timing and alignment with information expected from project partners.
There was consensus that the full Board should discuss messaging strategy at an upcoming
meeting, though some members recommended waiting until after the April election to schedule
an in-depth discussion.
An update was provided announcing that one local manufacturer has notified employees that it
will be closing operations in phases over the next 12–18 months. The Committee discussed the
importance of coordinating support services, assisting with workforce transitions, and identifying
opportunities for affected employees with other employers preparing to hire. The facility's future
use was also briefly discussed as a potential opportunity for recruitment.
The Committee agreed that Board members should be notified of such developments in a
timely manner, once employees have been informed and information may be appropriately
shared.
County leadership provided an update that the Economic Development Director position is
formally vacant. The Committee was informed that the Board of Commissioners will soon hold a
discussion on the future structure of the Economic Development department to determine the
most effective model moving forward.
Members shared perspectives on long-term structure options, including public, private, or
hybrid approaches, and discussed the importance of stability, communication, and coordinated
leadership. No action was taken, and the Vice-Chair noted that further discussion will occur
following Board of Commissioners guidance.
The discussed re-establishing a structured industrial relations program to facilitate
communication among major employers, educators, and workforce partners. Members
supported hosting facilitated industry discussions on a quarterly basis and discussed several
EDC Minutes for April 14, 2026
models used in neighboring counties. The Committee agreed to begin planning a convening
modeled after previous local and regional efforts.
The Committee revisited the idea of a field visit to a peer county to observe best practices in
growth management, airport development, and industrial site strategies. Johnston County was
again identified as a strong option. Members agreed to consider scheduling a visit in May,
pending coordination with local partners.
The Committee discussed upcoming work related to industrial site inventory and mapping. A
larger closed-session meeting is anticipated for May to review site information with key utility
and infrastructure partners. The Committee agreed to reserve this topic for a dedicated meeting
rather than include it on the April agenda.
The Committee agreed on the following items for the April EDC meeting agenda:
•Election of Officers
•Action Plan presentation and adoption
•Updates on Opportunity Zones
•Updates on State of the Region participation
•Discussion of next steps from recent leadership initiatives, including field visit planning
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is announced for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County
EDC Board Room, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC.
Adjournment:
Vice-Chairman Allen adjourned the meeting at 10:25 a.m.
_____________________________________ ______________________________________
Date Approved Secretary
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