ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Meeting Minutes

August 9, 2007

7:30 a.m., King’s Restaurant

The Economic Development Committee of the Comprehensive Plan met on August 9, 2007. Those in attendance included: Jeff Silka, SCEDC; Lance Sturni, Laurel Highlands Financial Services; Glenn Stoltzfus, Agriculture; Steve Spochart, Redevelopment Authority; Sean Garrigan; Brad Zearfoss, Planning Commission; Kerri Burtner, Comprehensive Plan Coordinator.

1. Redevelopment Pilot Project – Discussions have been had at several meetings about selecting a Trailtown for the Redevelopment Pilot Project for this committee. Jeff Silka did some covert research and recommended that we focus our attention on Meyersdale. They already have a strong support system of business leaders in that community so we could piggyback on the momentum they already have going. They are currently working to knock out blight.

Steve Spochart concurred with Jeff and added that he recently targeted Meyersdale at the train station area for some grant money. The funding was not awarded but he stated it is definitely an area that needs attention as it is an area that needs to be “welcoming” to visitors getting off the trail.

Steve also shared with the group that Meyersdale must use their PennDOT Streetscape money by next year or they will lose it.

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. This team would 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. The need for such a team is identified in the Comprehensive Plan but was not previously made a top priority by this committee.

3. Geiger Development – This committee will ask permission from the Commissioners (through Kerri) to seek a funding source to do a feasibility study of this 375 acres of land. A study would tell us how best to move forward with this land since it has great development potential. Ownership of the land was questioned and a discussion ensued about what good a study would do if the owner can’t be forced to comply. It was stated that cooperation with the bank(s) that hold the notes on this land would be needed in order to move forward with development.

As an aside to this conversation, Jeff said that a study will soon be underway to determine the workforce strengths and deficits in Somerset County.

4. Agriculture – Dave Mankemeyer oversaw an Agriculture for Energy feasibility study. A copy was delivered to Jeff the afternoon before this meeting so as of meeting time, he had not had time to review it. Jeff and Kerri will be meeting with Miguel Saviroff to talk about it alternative agriculture initiatives and how our two committees can work together.

Jeff suggested a sub-committee be formed to focus on agriculture and become a working group.

5. Next Meeting – Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 4:00 p.m. at the SCEDC Office. The group decided they will meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the SCEDC Office.