Expanding Technology Zones

Steve – I am trying to find out why the EDA can be a conduit for lower than market bonds?

What enables them to do this ?

thanks!

partly… who can be a conduit for lower rate bonds? Why the EDA and not other entities? Who guarantees or subsidizes the lower than market bonds?

Larry, if I’m not mistaken, these technology zones line up with the same areas and data presented last year when the Planning Commission idenrtified their Urban Development Areas and looking for more tools to fund the BOS’s vision. Pitts has the Hazel projects and Skinner has most of the other areas like Summitt Crossing by Tricord…you remenber Mallard Landing by Tricord don’t you (Rt 2 Corridor)? Now go to the Rt 17 Corridor. Cosner has everything east and west of I-95 until you get to Massaponax Church Road and after that it’s all Tricord.

Tricord alone has plans to build in excess of 5000 new homes (high density) that are intended to surround Skinners railway station and parking lots. It’s all on paper. But, you already knew that. We hashed this out last year, and if I’m not mistaken Mary Lee Carter made it abundantly clear the tax payers would pay for the infrastructure/roads construction, like the new bridge over I-95, the road net work around Cosner’s hospital and now the extension of Sliver/Cosners extension of Rt 17, with another $15.5 million which neither could finance on the open market EXCEPT thru Spotsylvania County’s draw against the $144 million in transportation funds, that came in 45% lower than what it should have been,they got back in 2005. The Bos were quite understandibly encouraged to take these projects on with their GO Bonds, at 3.3% interest

You can find the plans for all of this at FAMPO headquarters, County Administraters Office or at the County Planning, Zoning Departments. They’ve had this information for quite some time. And if the county’s “FOCUS GROUP” really does exist, you and the rest of the county still wouldn’t know the difference, since none of us are invited. Although, Steve could prove to be an exception to the rule, while conducting business with and for the County’s EDA. Makes sense to me

As far as the bond issues, I thought TIPIFOS expalined that to you, to your satisfaction, several blogs back. Hope I didn’t spell his anonoymous moniker wrong.

And, all of this will move ahead in conjunction with the new ordinance and TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY the BOS just put into place.. Have any questions about the Authority issue? Supv Skinner has been tasked, along with 3 members of a committee he will put together to accomplish this end.

Is there anything I’ve said so far that you would deem inappropriate, conspiratorial, biased or misleading please let me know and please be specific. I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.

That will include Mr. Silly and my latest anonymous caller, GIVEMEABREAK2M… There’s more, but you may want to confine the issues of bonds and how they translate to what’s going on now instead of later, when the other shoe drops..

The presentation provided here with Dan’s assistance will overlay precisely over the County’s Urban Development Area maps.

Dan Telvock can pull all of the up on the FLS

Marty, the only thing I can tell you is that the tech zones- the three current ones and the new one being created- have ZERO to do with FAMPO, Toll Road, or anything else. They were an initiative meant to help draw higher-tech, high end companies with high paying jobs to Spotsy. It is proving a useful marketing tool for smaller and defense contracting businesses.

But as to the Spotsy EDA, rest assured we will be conducting our business in the open, as we always have. We had several conversations this week to make sure our meetings next week were conducted thusly. It’s sometimes tougher- especially if a member wants to call in- but it tends to be worth it.

A LOT of it. It was long and I think you may want to sum up… it’s a lot to look at on a smart phone!

Mr. Haas- There have been several instances of Spotsy companies who have expanded, and have qualified for Tech Zone incentives. You may want to consider contacting the County’s Economic Development staff for more details (I’m not sure if there’s anything confidential there, probably not).

I can also tell you that Stafford is working on its own Tech Zones using Spotsy’s as a model.

Hope that helps!

Marty, calm down. I’m not trying to hide anything… nor is the EDA trying to hide anything from anyone. We conduct all our business in the open, have nothing to hide, and never did- at least for the four+ years I’ve been on it. It’s basically a citizen commission, with positions reappointed every 4 years.

The County ED staff have more information than we do… they tend to deal directly with businesses investing, whereas we tend to set the stage for a good business climate- or at least we try to. That was why I suggested Bill ask Russell or the ED staff- they are the public face of the county to potential investors and businesses, and it’s their job to have all the info and stats for the public. They’re simply a better source of info!

We have nothing at all to do with the Toll Road Authority. The Tech Zones are nothing more than a tax incentive the County has at its disposal; you can download it actually at spotsylvania.org and read it, if you like.

In a more narrow sense, all the EDAs are competitors to incentivize the businesses we all tend to go after. In a more practical sense, we try to work together regionally, if we can. But absolutely, we talk.

I hope this discussion maybe cleared up some questions anyone may have had… if you have any more questions, feel free to hit me with them. It’s important- to me, at least- that folks understand what the EDA does, and that we operate in the sunshine.

Sorry again Steve, but I’m not upset about anything and why on earth would you be TELLING me EDA is not trying to hide anything. How would I know the difference? I’m from Missouri, SHOW ME. If your best source of information about EDA’s is a CITIZEN COMMISSION, where are the minutes, what citizen are in play, where does their work product go, and who makes up the the face of some part of the Spotsylvania County business decisions, beyond conversations that are conducted behind closed doors at the direction of the County Attorney after reciting statutory language that permits the BOS to hold the public at arms length. Am I infering anything is wrong? How could or would I know the difference? I’m not, nor is the public made privy to anything other than called for in scripted protocols and meetings. THEY call it “due process” but I call it “perceptions” without end. Due Process is just that; a large black hole in the ground where no one dares to go except the select few who have tickets of admission.

Since Mr. Russell is soon to leave, who should we now call, just in case we have additional questions and I know for a fact HAAS has more questions that will require SPECIFICS, not dancing moves.

When you say WE have nothing to do with the TOLL ROARD AUTHORITY, who are you refering to? And , if you are not associated with ordinance changes voted on by the BOS, WHY wouldn’t you associated associated with the fall out from the establisment of this AUTHORITY. After all, Chapter 25 of the Spotsylvania County’s land use, road construction and funding mechanism would directly translate to Economic Development and the consequences of an Authority to call all the shots without public involvement, and this translates to FAMPO and the George Washington REGIONAL Commission since they are the ones underwriting this agenda and selling it to Planning District 16, which includes your back yard.

Finger pointing? NO. I have no reason what so ever to point fingers. I just ask questions, and so far there has been no reply or answer to my questions or anyone elses, on this side of a closed door. If my FACTS are wrong, just tell me, but provide me with an answer WHY they are wrong, and where I can go to get the real facts, beyond those already put on the boards.

Simply said, please tell me there is no such entity in Spotsylvania County that conducts business for Spotsy, as a “FOCUS GROUP”, without minutes, where no one is allowed admission, not even the FLS, except Mary Lee Carter and her PLANNING COMMISSION members, elected officials, professionals, developers and major stakeholders who provided the basis and foundation of the BOS’s County business agendas. That was a mouth full.

So far, no one person, department, commission or elected officials have said to the public that this “FOCUS GROUP” does not exist, nor ever has. If the question is above your pay grade, please tell me so, and I’ll continue on my way.

On the Focus Group thing, I too have heard rumors but I don’t know much about it and we don’t come in contact with it. I’d keep asking the question and see what the purpose of it is, if it exists.

Bill- Sorry to have disappointed you. I think you assume we do mpore than we actually do, that we know more than we actually know. The fact that the EDA has to have a special session today to inform our members about all things Kalahari should tell you that we truly are a bunch of citizen volunteers, not a bunch of insiders! If you still want to learn more, come to our 1 pm meeting today over at the old Cap One buildings. You can meet us and see some of what we’re up to.

This does require some active citizenry on your part too! If you come, I’ll know your interest is sincere; otherwise it seems like some blog bluster.

Bill, you could also come to our meeting Thursday at 4. They’re open to the public, anyone can come.

I’ll check on the answer to your question, in case you can’t come, and try to report back. I just want to make sure I give you an accurate answer- I don’t have the data in front of me and need to speak to those who do have it!

By the way, in the business world they pay people for results. This is a volunteer commission!

It is serious, but I fear you misunderstand the mission and resources available to us!

To answer your question, we’ve gotten several inquiries due to the Tech Zones, 3 applications and none receieved incentives (the reasons for this vary, but in some cases they found other incentives that made more sense). In any case, it goes back to my original point that they have been a nice marketing tool to have in the County’s ED arsonal.

Steve…why don’t you just state that the sky is blue and watch who attacks you for taking a public stand.

Bill, I wasn’t aware Vince ever left the room, much less the party.