ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
OF WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA
Board Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 7, 2020
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:Frame, King, Parker, Robinson, Salazar, Templin, Turner

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

Bolser, Golden, Tanner, Zaleski

STAFF PRESENT:

Shaffer, Doty, Lindsey, Mitchell

GUESTS PRESENT:

Sowers, George – EDC Counsel
Butters, Mary Anne – Wayne County Commissioner
Crist, DeWayne – Indiana American Water
Emery, Mike – Palladium-Item
Emery, Millie – Hometown Media GroupI. CALL TO ORDER
Board Chair Randy Templin called the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development
Corporation of Wayne County, Indiana to order at 4:05 p.m. on Monday, December 7, 2020 via Zoom meeting.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Templin stated the minutes from the November 2, 2020 board meeting were on pages 2-4. There are nocorrections.
Motion to approve November 2nd minutes as presented by King, second by Parker. Motion carried.
III. TREASURER’S REPORT
Lindsey reported we were under budget by $9,346.00 MTD and under budget by $106,461.04 YTD for November.
Lindsey indicated only item of note is no health insurance payment in November due to USPS so we will havedouble payment in December.
Motion to approve the November 2020 financials as presented by Parker, second by Salazar. Motion carried.
Lindsey indicated the 990 tax return has been completed by Brady Ware. The return was required to be filed by
November 16, 2020. Shaffer and Lindsey reviewed the return, found no errors, and submitted the return on
November 12, 2020.
Motion to ratify the approval of Shaffer’s execution of the 2019 EDC 990 tax return by Templin, second by Robinson.
Motion carried.
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Executive Committee
Templin reported the Executive Committee met November 17th. Several of the items will be discussed
under other business today including: the EDC’s contract with George Sowers, our building lease, theMIP farm lease, and the COVID-19 loan program.
b. Nominating Committee
Templin presented the Slate of Officers for 2021. The slate is the same as 2020 officers. Templin
indicated Bolser will not be able to serve as chair so we will be looking at options for 2022.
Motion to close nominations for the EDC 2021 Slate of Officers by King, second by Salazar. Motioncarried.

As there were no additions or changes, the 2021 slate of officers for the EDC Board is: Templin – Chair,Bolser – Vice-Chair, Zaleski – Treasurer, Parker – Secretary.
Motion to approve the 2021 Slate of Officers by Robinson, second by King. Motion carried.
V. EDC STAFF REPORTS
Lindsey – Lindsey reported she completed normal work. Worked on Project BRE 2004 with Valerie. Mailed theEDC Annual Report. Continued work on the health insurance renewal.
Doty – Doty reported the marketing Committee met on Dec 3rd. The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership(ECIRP) distributes the Livability magazine each year. The EDC will split the cost of an ad with Wayne County
Tourism. The EDC will also have an advertorial in the magazine which will read like an article. The Home inWayne (HiW) viewbook is complete. It is a digital product so we will not be doing a large print run. In 2021 wewill run a HiW campaign that will feature a photo of the week from social media. The selected photographers
will receive a HiW branded item and be featured on social media. Doty reported work continues for the 2ndround of testimonial videos, which will be filmed at the Richmond Art Museum.
Mitchell – Mitchell reported there is movement in Midwest Industrial Park (MIP). Wetlands 2,5,6,7 will be
mitigated by year-end. Little River is working on reclassifying Wetlands 3,4,8,9. Mitchell reported Richmond
Sanitary District is doing a flow monitoring of MIP to see what existing capacity remains. Grella Partners, onbehalf of the City of Richmond, is applying for the EDA grant to widen Gaar-Jackson Rd. Mitchell indicated theChamber’s Senior Spring Job Fair will be virtual in 2021. They will also begin rebranding the event to Career
Exploration Fair. Mitchell reported she will be assisting Purdue with a survey to workplaces to address current
metal health challenges they are facing. Mitchell indicated she had completed her OU-EDI classwork andgraduation virtually. There were no bidders on the Elder Beerman project. Mitchell feels based on plan roomcomments; we need to complete a market study. There is some interest in the project among local developers.
Mitchell reported her work with housing developers is ongoing.
Shaffer – Shaffer indicated the wetland mitigation work we are doing is advantageous to movement in MIP
Phase I. Shaffer reported her work with two local company expansions will bring significant investment to thecommunity. Shaffer is working with a site selector from Ohio on Project Reco. Shaffer reported she participated,virtually, in the Power Partners conference with Dallas-based site selection consultants and brokers. Mindy
Kenworthy with ECIRP asked Shaffer to fill in as she was unable to participate. Shaffer indicated this conference
allowed her to show what we have to offer and hopes we will have some leads generated because of herparticipation.
VI. STRATEGIC PLANNING
a. Final Economic Development Strategic Plan
Shaffer indicated we have been working with Ady Advantage for the past six months on the new strategicplan to guide the EDC’s work for the next five years. Economic development has been shifting the past 5years towards recruiting talent. The biggest changes are adding talent development and quality of place
initiatives. Ady identified our four goals as: alignment, targeted growth, quality of place and talent.
Targeted growth is business development, and the EDC is the only entity leading this, but
entrepreneurship will be a new piece added for us. Quality of place includes housing initiatives and noone else is leading this right now. Wayne County’s comprehensive plan discusses housing, and they will
be a partner in the effort. Downtown development will come through the City of Richmond’s PLACE
program but the EDC will assist the smaller communities with downtown development efforts. We needtalent retention and recruitment and are working on campaigns utilizing our Hoosier Opportunity andHome IN Wayne websites and working with the Chamber and Forward Wayne County. We need to workon training; higher level jobs are being recruited from out of town. Shaffer indicated this will help us stayon track for the next 5 years and is seeking board support for the plan. King stated there are some highpriorities in the plan. Shaffer said the partners will be engaged, as they were through the process, and thespreadsheet will be updated, as necessary. The board may consider creating a strategic planningcommittee to monitor the progress. Ady is recommending the EDC create a new position focused onredevelopment. Shaffer indicated the 2021 budget has been approved so she will need to work with
Wayne County Council and the Commissioners on potential of funding. Frame asked what Shaffer feels
the biggest change is. Shaffer indicated that housing and downtown development have been growing
needs and this gives formal expansion to that role. Frame asked if Shaffer is in favor of the growth andchange. Shaffer feels this is a shift we must make. Templin asked if we have the buy-in and Shaffer said
yes, and the collaboration is already occurring.
Motion to approve the EDC’s Strategic Plan by Frame, second by Salazar. Motion carried.
b. Ady Advantage: Marketing Campaign Audit & 2021 Expansion
Shaffer reported our contract with Ady was for $50,000 with $25,000 from the EDC’s operating budget
and $25,000 from Consolidated EDIT. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, we saved $9,500.00 on thecontract. We have asked Ady to perform an audit of the current HiW campaign to include website, print
and social media. They will then make recommendations. Shaffer feels this is a great use of theirexpertise. We received a proposal from DCI to perform similar work and it was over $25,000.00.
Motion to utilize unused Ady contract funds of $9,500.00 towards the HiW Marketing Campaign bySalazar, second by Templin. Motion carried.
VII. OTHER BUSINESSa. Housing Needs Assessment Proposal
Shaffer reported that after conversations regarding the Elder Beerman property, we need a housingneeds assessment. We need an assessment that determines viability & marketability of area data points
for homes and apartments. It will take 6 – 8 weeks to complete and we will Share with interested
developers and buildings who are currently not committed to investing here. Shaffer reported this will
look at Wayne County as a whole and then narrow down to the community level. The assessment will beapproximately $18,500.00 and not over $20,000.00. Jeff Plasterer is asking for other counties in theregion to participate which will bring the cost down. Shaffer indicated the funds will not come from theEDC’s operating budget but, will come from Consolidated EDIT and those funds have been approved bythe Commissioners. Parker is concerned with the cost and feels the investor or builder should do theassessment. Shaffer stated that is true, but we need to do this ourselves to get attention because
our market is unknown at this point. Mitchell reported the last market rate apartment complex was built
30 years ago. King stated the builders are unsure and this needs to be a priority. Mitchell indicated it will
forecast a 10-year period. Salazar stated we need it to entice investors, there is a lack of housing andapartments in our area. Shaffer feels it will be a great support to our smaller communities. Robinson
asked how detailed it would be. Shaffer stated if there is a prospective site, it will be detailed.
Motion to approve funding for Tracy Cross proposal not to exceed $20,000.00 from Consolidated EDIT
funds by Frame, second by Robinson. Motion carried.
b. Restaurant Rent/Mortgage Subsidy Program
Shaffer reported after 2 rounds of the Wayne County COVID-19 Loan Program, there are funds remaining
from the original $900,000.00. Shaffer indicated she has been working with Melissa Vance from theChamber and Mary Walker from Tourism to call on local restaurants to understand the need. She has
been working with the City of Richmond to develop a county-wide rent/mortgage subsidy program tohelp our local restaurants. The grant would fund 50% of the rent or mortgage payment up to $1,000.000
for possibly 6 months. The federal and state programs have ended, and our restaurants are struggling.
The City and the Economic Growth Group have given approval for their funds to be used as a grant.
Wayne County government must approve the use of their funds and our Consolidated EDIT funds. TheCity is asking the Redevelopment Commission for some additional funding. Frame asked how we will get
the word out. Shaffer indicated making calls from the EDC, Chamber and Tourism. Robinson asked aboutother businesses. Shaffer reported this will only be for restaurants as the funding is limited. They will
have to complete an application and show 30% loss of revenue.
Motion to approve converting $43,628.00 of Consolidated EDIT Funds remaining in the loan program togrant funding by Parker, second by Salazar. King and Turner abstained. Motion carried.
c. Lease with First Realty GroupShaffer reported that the EDC’s lease with First Richmond Realty Group for the office space is due forrenewal. Lindsey reported the new lease will be for four years which aligns with the EDC’s contract withWayne County. Shaffer indicated the rent will remain at the current $2,800.00 per month for the length ofthe lease extension. Frame asked if there were any outstanding issues or concerns. Shaffer indicated theHVAC issues have been resolved.
Motion to approve the EDC 4-year lease with First Realty Group as presented by Frame, second by Templin
Motion carried.
d. Contract with Knoll, Kolger, Sowers & Metzger
Shaffer reported the annual contract with George Sowers to provide legal services for the EDC renews thismonth. Shaffer indicated we will remain at the discounted $200.00 per hour fee. The EDC pays a $5,000.00
retainer in December and we draw down from that for fees in 2021 and are billed accordingly after theretainer is used.
Motion to approve the EDC 4-year contract with Knoll, Kolger, Sowers & Metzger for legal services aspresented by Salazar, second by Robinson.
Motion carried.
e. MIP Farm Lease
Shaffer reported the EDC enters into a sublease for the undeveloped land in MIP with Hutchings Farm LLC.
The rate will increase from $190.00 to $200.00 per acre and will be a 4-year lease. This lease covers 118.16
acres. The lots were re-evaluated and 2 lots were removed due to Element 13 project and another project
underway. Shaffer indicated the provisions in the lease includes ability to withdraw with a 60-day notice,there is a formula for crop damage, and we are allowed access to the land. Shaffer stated we are the 3rdparty. We receive the rent payment and then remit the payment to the City of Richmond. Mayor Snow isin favor of the lease. The lease must also be approved by the Board of Works.
Motion to approve the EDC 4-year lease with Hutchings Farm LLC as presented by Turner, second byFrame. Motion carried.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Templin adjourned the meeting at 5:39 p.m.
NEXT BOARD MEETING – Monday, January 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.