We’re LIVE! at Danville City Hall for today’s Industrial Development Authority meeting. This article is now complete.
(L-R) Chairman Neal Morris, Shirley Primiano, C.G. Hairston and Landon Wyatt are board members. Economic Development consultant Linwood Wright and Finance Director Michael Adkins are here as well.
(L-R) Corrie Teague & Telly Tucker from Economic Development, board member Max Glass, Rusty Reynolds’ empty chair (he made it 20 minutes late), assistant city attorney Alan Spencer and board member Richard Turner.
Today, the IDA is approving a refinancing for the Telvista building. They’re having to split the building into a separate area for their new Verizon contract.
Michael Adkins gives the finance report. We’ll have that in a NumbersCentral article this week.
The Telvista loan refinancing is approved. The loan is through American National Bank at a 5% interest rate.
City Engineer Kent Shelton talks about the proposal for design on the potential downtown parking deck. Shirley Primiano is confused about yesterday’s R&B article about parking considerations that has nothing to do with this parking deck idea. The proposal for design is approved and it will cost over $100,000.
They’re in a closed session now.
No action after the meeting, and we’re done. Every IDA meeting that I have ever been to has been uneventful and this one didn’t break that pattern. I’ll leave you with one more photo of the entire meeting room just because you’ll never see this if you rely on newspaper coverage. Heh.
Per City Website for the IDA: Members: C.G. Hairston, Richard L. Turner, Landon R. Wyatt, Jr., Shirley D. Primiano,, T. Neal Morris, Max R. Glass, and Russell Reynolds
Functions: The Industrial Development Authority works in cooperation with the City and its Economic Development Office to promote and facilitate redevelopment activities in the River District by the purchase, renovation, and subsequent lease or sale of real estate site throughout the District. The IDA also provides significant opportunities for industrial and commercial development in the City and in Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facility Authority owned parks by providing competitively priced lease/purchase arrangements with companies locating in the Danville region. The IDA issues tax-exempt bonds to provide long-term financing to promote industry and develop trade by inducing manufacturing, industrial, governmental and commercial enterprises and institutions of higher education to locate in and remain in the Commonwealth and in the City and further the use of Virginia’s agricultural products and natural resources, either through the increase of commerce, or through the promotion of safety, health, welfare, convenience or prosperity.
The rest of the above comment (Must have a length limit because submission button disappeared!): In looking at the application for serving on the board, I am not able to ascertain the qualifications necessary to serve. Do you know them Bruce Hedrick? Do you have to be a business owner? If appointed you have to complete a form to show no conflict of interest. The IDA is pretty involved in property matters in the City, buying and selling, and I believe we should inquire as to qualifications of those who serve. What experience in such matters to they bring?
While there’s no specific requirements, it seems that everyone of the IDA board has a good grasp of business.
And the former Chief of Police is qualified because he was the Chief of Police?
I’d consider him qualified based on his knowledge of real estate. That being said, I’d consider you qualified for the IDA board because you’re intelligent and involved in regards to government activities.
Not only is the former police chief knowledgeable in real estate he has always been involved in civic activities, spent 44 years working for the city in law enforcement, was exposed to law, the legal system and knows law very well. He is aware of most everything going on in and around the city. He has always been visible in the city and one of the most approachable people you will ever meet. I think he is extremely qualified to serve on the IDA or any other board. Chief Morris fulfilled his work responsibilities to the city for 44 years and continues to give back by volunteering his time in government and civic activities expressing his love for the city and community where he has spent his entire life.