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06-02-1983 o (.) CITY OF EDGEWATER Industrial Development Board Regular Meeting June 2, 1983 Minutes Chairman Massey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the conference area of the Community Center. ROLL CALL Members present: Mrs. Massey, Messrs. Poland, Gnau, Schneider, Sawyer, Vazquez, Grueter and Faidley*. Excused: Mrs. Middleton and Mr. Foleno. Also present: Mrs. Taylor, Secretary, and one member of the press. Councilman Jack Spencer was also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mrs. Massey explained that the original minutes for May 5, 1983 have been corrected to show that references to the Chamber of Commerce under Miscella- neous should be Department of Commerce. Mr. Gnau motioned to approve the minutes of the May 5, 1983 meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Schneider and CARRIED 7-0. Mrs. Massey introduced Mr. William Dodd, Industrial Representative for the City of New Smyrna Beach. Mr. Dodd recalled that he had been affiliated with the Edgewater Industrial Board about five years ago. He spoke to the members about the Seminar on "preparing for Growth" scheduled for June 9 in New Smyrna Beach, advising that this program will be presented by the Division of Economic Development in Tallahassee, and will be a look at the strengths and weaknesses of a community as viewed by a site selector or business executive who is looking at the City as a potential site for relocation or expansion of a business. Mr. Dodd will be giving a summary at that meeting of Lt. Governor Wayne Mixon's marketing plan input meeting which he attended recently in Orlando, noting that Mrs. Massey had also attended this meeting. He learned at that meeting that the government is about to give more attention to small cities. Mr. Dodd talked to the members about the United States Small Business Admin- istration SBIR Program and the new 503 Loan Program. He emphasized that the bottom-line question always asked of a community is, What financial help can you give me? Edgewater will be dealing primarily with the small business man, and he will need some kind of financial help. The whole project may be dependent on our ability to help him find the source. Some of the things they look for are venture capital, working capital, affordable construction loans, research and development, guarantors, marketing and research money for bail-outs for long-term debts, and start-up costs. He reiterated that we must be able to deal efficiently with banks or private investors, we should be acquainted with reputable leasing companies, and we need to know about Federal and State Grant programs; providing this finance information is most important and he stressed that one's knowledge, experience and pro- ficiency in the matter of business financing is critical. Mr. Dodd also advised that the contact in a community should be a single person, never a group, as most companies require confidentiality. Mr. Dodd recogniz~d that Edgewater does not have an industrial park at this time, but a site selector or business representative could come to City Hall or to the Board seeking information about corning into the city and will want to know who they can talk to. Mr. Dodd said that if this should occur, to call him - he is anxious to help in bringing industry to the area. *Mr. Faidley arrived to the meeting at 7:40 p.m. ~ o o Mr. Dodd explained the SBIR Program and the new SBA-503 program. The SBA-503 program requires that a certified development company be formed. The State of Florida is now developing a certified development company, and Mr. Dodd intends to develop one in New Smyrna Beach. The purpose of this program is to provide existing viable small businesses with long-term below market rate financing for the acquisition of land and buildings, machinery and equipment, construction and renovations which result in job creation. The Florida Certified Development Company will be taking applications by July 15, and will be authorized to sell debentures with SBA guarantees of up to 40 per cent of the project, with a maximum of $500,000 on it. Funding must be through a conventional source for the first 50 per cent, SBA debentures will cover the next 40 per cent and the business has to put in 10 per cent equity. There is a three-quarter per cent fee. Eligible businesses must be "for profit" organizations. There was continued discussion about the need for helping existing businesses and the need for an industrial park in the City. Mr. Dodd recommended that the City find the means to hire a professional industrial representative on a part-time basis to get their industrial program off the ground. The members thanked Mr. Dodd for coming and for the helpful information he provided. Mrs. Massey reviewed the letter sent to the New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, her letter asking for a report of the 1983 meeting of the Governor's Conference on World Trade, and Mrs. Blazi's letter reo the Board's request for a moratorium on rezoning industrial land. She informed the Board that the Community Data Sheet discussed at a former meeting was completed and the up-dated copy was sent to the Department of Commerce. NEW BUSINESS The Chairman urged the members to attend the June 9 "Preparing for Growth" Seminar, if possible. She explained that this will be a follow-up of the two previous meetings. There was discussion regarding grants for construction of roads into and on industrial sites. Mrs. Massey said it may be possible to use grant money to pay for crossing the railway tracks in those areas which have been blocked. Mrs. Massey also reported on the Lt. Governor's meeting held in Orlando on May 11 for non-metro areas, which she attended. The Florida East Coast Railway meeting with the Planning Commission scheduled for June 15 was announced. Mrs. Massey advised that she had attended the "Something New in Financing for Florida Businesses" on May 19 at the Southeast Bank, conducted by Mr. Ivan Hankins of the Jacksonville office of the Small Business Admin- istration. The chairman asked if any of the Board members would be able to attend the FIDC Workshop scheduled from Sunday, July 17 thru Wednesday, July 20, in Tallahassee. The theme is "Capitalizing on Florida's Assets". The fee for attending is $60.00. None of the members except Mrs. Massey could attend. A motion was made by Mr. Sawyer and seconded by Mr. Poland to send Mrs. Massey as their representative to the meeting in Tallahassee with expendi- tures to be paid by the City of Edgewater. The motion was UNANIMOUSLY a,pproved. Mr. Poland suggested that the Board seriously consider making a recommenda- tion to City Council that it is time to start looking for professional help. Mr. Grueter recommended discussing with Mr. Dodd what he would want in the way of a fee for part time help in this area. Mrs. Massey pointed out that the grant money obtained would more than pay for the salary of a paid employee or consultant. She said that it is important for the City to get roads put in and open up the industrial land. Mr. Schneider said that it was the job of the consultant to prove to the City how it would be cost effective. Mr. Vazquez mentioned that if the City does hire someone for this purpose, it will also be necessary that the Council instruct someone to acquire land. Industrial Development Board Meeting June 2, 1983 - 2 - ~ o Q Councilman Spencer complimented the members on their good relationship with Mr. Dodd. He noted that Mr. Dodd had offered some free service to the City. Councilman Spencer recalled Mr. Grueter's recommendation that the Board de- cide what it is they think Edgewater needs, and agreed that they needed to corne up with some suggestions for Council about long-range needs, and how to go about attaining the goals. The Board discussed the F.E.C. plans and Mr. Sawyer suggested that if they do not have a starting date for the proposed park when they corne before the Planning Commission, he felt the Board should consider obtaining a large parcel of land to turn into a development area. There was mention of a 40-acre tract already zoned industrial, which needed to be opened up and streets dedicated. Mrs. Massey emphasized that the City needs to put in streets to open up the industrial land. Mr. Grueter said that his company was just awarded a large contract and they are looking to rent property in Titusville, because there is nothing in the Edgewater area. The jobs generated will go to the Titusville area. They also turned down a contract which would have generated about 27 jobs because it would have created a fumes problem and they were too close to the city. Mr. Grueter suggested that each member of the board corne to the next meeting with what they think the goals of the Board should be. They could go over the suggestions and corne up with a recommendation to Council. Councilman Spencer suggested that when the Board has done this they might invite the Council to meet with the Board at a workshop. The Board members asked Mrs. Massey to talk to Bill Dodd about what he would be willing to do for Edgewater. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by Joan Taylor Industrial Development Board June 2, 1983 meeting - 3 - l~Qg~~~QQQQQwQQ~Q~~QQg~~ j~ 7- I ' ~\ ~J~) ~ >Jj, fL i:' ~l~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~ \ l ~.J ~~ ~.f~f I (h?r~ I ~.~I ~,~ /h ~.~ tI S~ ~~ II $~ {/Jr;d \ ~\ ~I~ 91tJ . /\ I )n I ~ ~~/7 I /J~7,V, \ \ - -