ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Meeting Minutes

October 10, 2007

4:00 p.m., SCEDC Office

The Economic Development Committee of the Comprehensive Plan met on October 10, 2007. Those in attendance included: Jeff Silka, SCEDC; Lance Sturni, Laurel Highlands Financial Services; Kathy Bisko, Meyersdale Renaissance, Inc.; Brad Zearfoss, Planning Commission; Kerri Burtner, Comprehensive Plan Coordinator.

1. Meyersdale Redevelopment Pilot Project – Kathy Bisko and Jeff Silka arranged for our committee to tour the Colonial Hotel in Meyersdale, which is in the early stages of being renovated and is a vital part of Meyersdale’s plan. Hotel owners, Adam and Cherie, will fly in from Colorado to give us a tour on Nov. 9 at 2:00 p.m. The purpose is to show us how they plan to completely gut and rebuild the structure and to discuss a funding strategy for a $2 million gap they will have on this project. Jeff suggested some potential sources of additional funding might be the Green Building Initiative, DCED, or CDGB. When completed, the hotel will have 20 guest rooms and two apartments on the top floor.

While discussing the Colonial Hotel we began discussing the need to have trained hospitality workers. The committee was informed of similar discussions being had by the Education and Tourism committees. Lance suggested a hospitality certification program be implemented (either through ACM or perhaps even Penn State’s World Campus, as suggested by Kathy) that would automatically get employees additional money per hour, if they show they have the certification. He feels certain many hospitality/tourism related businsses would be willing to pay this if it ensured quality workers, because those quality workers would pay dividends in repeat business, etc.

2. Somerset County Action Team – Jeff has identified a need for an action team to meet with prospective businesses looking to locate in the County and is currently identifying people to serve on this team. It will be comprised of representatives from education, banking, real estate, utilities, and the Chamber, just to name a few. They would be prepared to speak on the quality of life in the County and what infrastructure we have to accommodate them. He will keep us posted on his progress.

3. KIZ – Jeff reported that the schools need to be removed from the map we submitted. Once that is done we should be able to move forward. Brad Zearfoss will work with Jeff to develop a new map.

Jeff mentioned that he has recently testified before the Senate on a bill to extend the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) designation through 2028. This designation allows for certain tax exemptions.

4. Next Meeting – Our next meeting regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the SCEDC Office. We will also meet on Friday, Nov. 9 at 2:00 p.m. at the Colonial Hotel in Meyersdale for a tour.