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PEDC Board Meeting Minutes <br />August 18, 2017 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />Discuss and possibly approve replacins the office copier. <br />Ms. Brownfield told the Board that the copier was purchased not leased in 2007. The Lamar County <br />Chamber and the PEDC were combined at the time, so we are not sure who purchased the copier. The <br />copier was not printing in color, the service technician updated software, then proceeded to let me <br />know that the copier is obsolete and it will be harder to get parts as it gets older. We did get three <br />quotes and they are all under ten thousand dollars. Mr. Paris recommended that the Board table the <br />item and come back with all the details at the next meeting. Mr. Hernandez agreed saying that leasing a <br />copier is better. Mr. Manning made a motion to table Item #8 to discuss and possibly approve <br />replacing the office copier. Mr. Hughes seconded the motion. Vote was 4 -ayes to 0 -nays. <br />Executive Director's Monthly Report. <br />• The July 24`h City Council meeting was attended by me along with Mr. Hughes, Mr. <br />Hernandez, Mr. Hamill, and Mr. Manning. I was ready to ask City Council to put the vote <br />on pause in November and look at a strategic plan. In the previous meeting, Linda Knox <br />and Cleonne Drake, mentioned looking at a 4B Plan. The pause would have given time to <br />find out what this community wants to do. Chris Bailey, Plant Manager of Turner <br />Industries; Shelia Coursey, Comptroller of Campbell's Soup; Kelli Mallicote, Vice <br />President of BodyGuard Truck Accessories all came to speak at the City Council meeting. <br />All three appreciate the relationship that they have with the PEDC. Chris Bailey spoke to <br />City Council and while he was speaking looked each member in the eyes saying "we <br />would not be in Paris, Texas, unless it was for the Paris Economic Development <br />Corporation". Surprisingly, Chris Bailey telling the Council of the impact the PEDC had <br />on Turner Industries decision in coming to Paris did not make an impression on most of <br />the City Council members. The PEDC has been vital in keeping jobs in Paris and also <br />creating jobs. More good has come to Paris through the PEDC than missteps have taken <br />away. "We need to continue looking at our strategic plan and strategic vision." We will <br />keep talking to the community about economic development and the purpose of 4A, 4B <br />and Chapter 380. Since the PEDC works behind the scenes with the industries, the <br />community usually does not see how complex our part is to keep jobs in Paris and to <br />attract jobs to Paris. <br />• The European American Investment Council is a group of European business people <br />working with foreign direct investment. They are looking for investments in the Americas. <br />TEAM Texas members were invited to meet with the Investment Council. I went to Waco <br />with a presentation of Paris, Texas. This is what they should know "Paris, Texas is an <br />economic powerhouse, manufacturing powerhouse, compared to other communities our <br />size. The proportion of manufacturing jobs in Paris, Texas, are high compared to other <br />areas." The EAIC is excited about working with us and we will probably become <br />members. <br />