MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Rural Nelson Community Dance Party Saturday, April 3rd at The Hamner Theater. Doors open at 8:00pm. Entry by donation to Rural Nelson. Cash Bar to benefit The Hamner Theater. 21 & over please. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING: - Tuesday, April 13th BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 2:00/7:00pm Courthouse - Thursday, April 22nd BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 7:00pm Courthouse - Wednesday, April 28th PLANNING COMMISSION 7:30pm Courthouse --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Thursday, April 1, 2010 Present: Ms. Emily Pelton, Mr. Alphonso Taylor, Mr. Bennett Saunders and Mr. Greg Kelly (Staff: Ms. Maureen Kelley) Absent: Mr. Steve Crandall, Mr. Natt Hall and Mr. Erwin Berry BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB: Ms. Agnes Schrider, owner of Nelson Physical Therapy, told the Board that volunteers are in the beginning stages of bringing a Boys and Girls Club to Nelson. She said that she hopes it will be housed at Rockfish Valley Community Center and she hopes it will be launched in 2011. Ms. Schrider said that the organization offers programs for all kids, including those who cannot afford other programs. She said that as an employer, one of the biggest challenges in the county is finding good, dependable employees and she believes this is one way for employers to help develop those traits in the work force. Ms. Schrider said that annual dues would be approximately $40 per year per child but that no child would be turned away if the family could not pay. She noted that the Nelson group would be required to have $100,000 and 100 kids signed up prior to startup. The annual budget would be $100,000 to be used to pay 1 ½ employees plus expenses. She said that there are many opportunities for individuals and organizations to be involved through donations toward the annual budget and donations of supplies, mentoring, events, etc. LOVINGSTON FARM MARKET: Mr. George Krieger, Director of The Nelson Center, presented a review of the past year, noting issues with strong thunderstorms during the outdoor markets and the continued indoor markets. He said that the Nelson Center is willing to continue to provide space and support but is no longer interested in managing the market. An association of very involved vendors has been established to manage and promote the market. There will be one more indoor market on April 17th and then the outdoor markets begin May 5th from 3-6pm and will continue each Wednesday. There are four major-event markets planned for May 5th, June 23rd, August 11th and September 29th with music and beer and wine tastings. The Nelson Center has committed to purchasing two large event tents and will be responsible for putting those up and taking them down. The market will move closer to Rt. 29 for better visibility. In addition, the Nelson Center has committed $1,000 to support the Market. Mr. Krieger presented a business plan for the Market and asked the EDA to consider pledging $1,000 to assist the Market in startup. BUSINESS APPRECIATION EVENT: Members discussed the options for the event including adding two follow up half-day programs on entrepreneur opportunities and agribusiness options. Ms. Pelton and Ms. Kelly agreed to continue working on a proposal for the event. MICROLOAN PROGRAM: Mr. Kelly announced a meeting with the regional director of Rural Development to discuss the possibility of Nelson County developing a microloan program under the Lynchburg regional program. Rural Development is a part of the Department of Agriculture and provides support for infrastructure and economic development projects. FUNDING: Members voted 4-0 to allocate $1,000 for expenditures for the 2010 Lovingston Farm Market. Members agreed by consensus to direct staff to contact Ms. Schrider to ask that she submit a specific request that fits within the EDA mission. Meeting adjourned. Copyright 2000-2010 by Rural Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Reports may be reprinted or excerpted with attribution. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- OF INTEREST: April 10th: Rockfish Valley Kite Festival 11AM-3PM at Spruce Creek Park-Big Field off Glenthorne Loop. Sponsors: Rockfish Valley Foundation; Richmond Air Force; 2 Guys Flying from Staunton; Nelson County Life. For more information, rockfishvalley.org 434.226-0446. Free and open to the public-$2.00 Donation to Rockfish Valley Foundation suggested. No rain date. April 10th: Rockfish Valley Star Watch 7:00pm (sunset) until. Rockfish River Trail Head on Rt. 151, 2 miles south of Nellysford. Sponsors: Rockfish Valley Foundation and Charlottesville Astronomical Society. For more information, rockfishvalley.org 434.226.0446. Free and open to the public-$2.00 Donation to Rockfish Valley Foundation suggestion. No rain date. April 11th: Nelson County Country Stores-Their Disappearance at 2:00pm at Spruce Creek Gallery 1368 Rockfish Valley Highway, 1.5 miles south of Nellysford. Speakers: Cliff Wood, Ral Satterwhite and Joseph Morse. Sponsors: Rockfish Valley Foundation and Oakland Museum-Nelson County Museum of Rural History. For more information, rockfishvalley.org 434.226.0446. Public welcome-$5.00 per person charge. Orange & Maroon Golf & Dinner: Thursday, April 29th (RSVP by April 22nd) at Winton Country Club in Amherst. Tee time 1pm; Social 5:30pm; Program & Dinner 7pm. Cost $30 per person for club members/$45 per person for non-members. Dinner & raffle will benefit scholarships for two incoming freshmen to Virginia Tech from the Amherst-Nelson area. Contact Bernie McGinnis at 434.263.5895 or 434.263. 5231 or email Sonya Lepper Westervelt at slwestervelt@gmail.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This report, sent to over 600 Nelson County citizens, was made possible by the generous donations of Rural Nelson members and supporters. We need your help to continue this service. Please consider donating. Kim Taylor Cash Field Officer Rural Nelson, Inc. P. O. Box 401 Lovingston, VA 22949 434.263.5000 www.ruralnelson.org