07-PEDC Minutes from 3-9-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Paris Economic Development Corporation Meeting Minutes March 29, 2011 Board Members Staff Steve Gilbert Present: Pike Burkhart, Sr. Present: Shannon Barrentine Doug Wehrman Chad Brown Rick Poston Ex-officio Members Guest(s) Present: Pam Anglin Present: Connie Beard, The Paris News Gene Anderson Fred Green, R3bi Incubator Director Grant & Kelli Mallicote Legal City Council Counsel: Kent McIlyar Liaison(s): Edwin Pickle Pike Burkhart, called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. Pike welcomed those present. Minutes from February 8, 2011 were approved, as submitted, by a motion from Doug Wehrman; seconded by Chad Brown. Motion Carried 4-0. Financial reports for February, 2011 were submitted. Doug Wehrman asked about the Revenue Bond Interest Payment in the amount of $37,103.50. Gene Anderson explained that amount is the Bond payment for Paris Packaging, interest paid twice a year and a principal payment one time a year. Paris Packaging makes a monthly payment to PEDC to almost cover this expense. With no more discussion, the financials were approved, as submitted, by a motion from Doug Wehrman; seconded by Rick Poston. Motion Carried 4-0. Steve Gilbert referenced a couple of packet inserts referencing upcoming events: 2011 Tyler Area Energy Policy Summit, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Texas at Tyler; and Northeast Texas Trail Supporters Workshop sponsored by the Department of Interior on April 12 at the Love Civic Center from Ip.m. to 4 p.m. the speaker will be from the Katy Trail in Missouri. Steve then referred the R3bi Incubator update to Fred Green. Fred Green, R3bi Incubator Director told those present that his goal was to have the facility open by May 1st. The facility is located at 1445 Clarksville Street in the Williamsburg Shopping Center across from Kroger. This facility offers more space than the previously discussed TXU building. Some problems have arisen: electrical problem involving one of the HVAC units and asbestos will need to be abated. This location provides more office space with opportunities to generate revenue from day use fees, virtual incubator and services of a technical write that Campbells Soup and NextEra Energy have expressed interest in using. Fred proposes a smaller revenue shortfall of $8,000 vs. $25,000 that was originally projected. The Feasibility Study outlined the focus on Agri- Business. An Ag Forum has been scheduled for May 4th to identify future opportunities in this area. Attendees and/or Panel members for the Forum are from the Governor's Office and USDA at the State and Local levels. Rick Poston told Fred that he needed to make contact with Damon Wells of the National Turkey Federation to see what contacts and areas of need could be identified. 11