03-B PEDC (10/9/02) - Laserfiche WebLink

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PEDC Meeting October 9, 2002 Page 6 proposed to do away with the Economic Development sales tax and Senator Ratliff is going to really keep a watch on that. Mr. Vest said he met with Ralph Beal and Bill Dickey about the medical development north of Paris. Mr. Beal had asked about the PEDC doing the infrastructure. Mr. Vest had explained the AG's opinion which had said that Sweetwater, Texas, could not assist with a medical facility. Mr. Vest and Eric attended the annual Texas Economic Development Council meeting in San Antonio the week of September 23-27th. He had given an hour and one-half presentation during the event. During the same week, Mr. Vest met with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) which was formally known as the TNRCC. On Friday he had met the new commissioner, Cathleen Wyatt. Mr. Vest advised that if the city get the new industry, Project Winner, permitting is going to be a big item which means that he and Eric will be dealing with TCEQ. Mr. Vest mentioned the fact that when the staff moves to the Depot, there is going to be a need to extend the fiber optic from the Paris Police Department to the Depot in order to run their computer systems. He said the Chamber of Commerce does not have the two to three thousand dollars to do the work. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to continue with the extension of the fiber optic and bring it back to the Board for approval. Mr. Vest reported that the City of Paris had received a TIFF Grant. This grant will provide for the installation of four computers at the Depot. These computers will be for the public who will be able to pay their water bills, access the city council agenda, and visit the web sites for the Chamber of Commerce, City of Paris, Paris Junior College and the PEDC. All the Chamber has to provide is the fiber optic cable to the Depot. Mr. Vest passed out a brochure on Cox Field Airport.