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<br />Paris Economic Development Corporation <br />Board Meeting Minutes <br />November 6, 2007 <br /> <br />Guests <br />Present: Tom Glascock <br />Win Sonje <br />Marie Crespo <br /> <br />Staff Present: Pete Kampfer <br />Rachel Schory <br />Ex Officio Members <br />Present: Jesse Freelen <br />Pam Anglin <br />Kay O'Dell <br />Renee Harvey <br /> <br />Board Members <br />Present: John Wright <br />Chad Brown <br />Glen Bawcum <br />Dan Smith <br />Dick Severson <br /> <br />Dan Smith called the meeting to order at 4: 15 p.m. <br /> <br />Minutes from the October 22, 2007 meeting were approved unanimously on a motion <br />made by Glen Bawcum seconded by Chad Brown. <br /> <br />The October financial report has not been prepared for review at this time. However, <br />clarification was provided for the September financial report. There were no C Tech payments <br />reflected on that report even though two payments were received during the month of September. <br />It was explained that city staff made an error in posting the payments, one of which was for <br />September and the other for October. Both payments will be reflected on the October financial <br />statement when it is prepared. Pete Kampfer advised the board that the November payment has <br />been received from C Tech. <br /> <br />Pete Kampfer introduced guests from Turner International Pipe: Tom Glascock, Win <br />Sonje, and Marie Crespo. Mr. Glascock presented an update on expansion at Turner's Paris <br />facility. He advised that he has met with Mr. Kampfer and Kay O'Dell of the Northeast Texas <br />Workforce Development Board to discuss their need for more welders in the near future. Turner <br />Pipe has been in Paris for 9 years and currently employees 640 people. They are projecting to <br />add 100-150 employees by Summer 2008. They currently have projects booked out for 2 years, <br />a significant increase from what is typical for that industry. Mr. Kampfer suggested that once <br />Turner identifies their specific needs and requests assistance from PEDe, the board should <br />schedule to take a tour of the facility. <br /> <br />Mr. Kampfer led the board in a discussion ofEDC activities and priorities. Retention and <br />expansion activities were listed as follows: Florida Power and Light preparing for a $2 million <br />expansion which consists of adding a number of turbines to their operation; Turner International <br />Pipe adding a sizable number of employees; use of Synchronist software program for <br />interviewing local industry to provide computerized documentation of industry activity. <br /> <br />Board President Dan Smith asked how the board members can be more involved in the <br />retention/expansion efforts. It was suggested that board members seek out industry leaders and <br />invite to golf, lunch, or other opportunities to build relationships. Another retention effort <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />T <br />