MINUTES

 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA                                                  BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

COUNTY OF HENDERSON                                                                                             MARCH 31, 2005       

 

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners met for a special called meeting at 1:00 p.m. upstairs in  Expressions Restaurant on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville.  The purpose of the meeting was a joint meeting with the Greater Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce. 

 

Present at the meeting were: Bob Williford, Susan Ledford, Lee Henderson Hill, Bill McKibbin, Jim Maher, Scott Hamilton, Steve Johnson, Greg Burnette, Ron Stephens, Don Holder, Larry Rogers, Carl Shaw, John Sheiry, Dr. David Sink, John Goins, Melissa Maurer and Reporter Joel Burgess from the Times-News.

 

Also present were the following from Henderson County Government:  Chairman Bill Moyer, Vice-Chairman Charlie Messer, Commissioners Chuck McGrady and Larry Young, and Clerk to the Board Elizabeth W. Corn.

 

Absent was Commissioner Shannon Baldwin.

 

CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME

Bob Williford welcomed all in attendance at 1:08 p.m.  Menus were distributed and lunch orders were taken.

 

After lunch orders were taken, Jim Maher welcomed the Chamber members and the Board of Commissioners. 

 

Presentation from the Chamber of Commerce

Bob Williford distributed a handout which listed the economic engines for Henderson County for 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.  He explained that all the engines are growing in our county (Retirement, Tourism, Agriculture, and Retail Sales) except for Manufacturing.  He also showed some charts with figures from 1980, 1990, and 1997.

 

The Greater Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce 2005 Program of Work was also distributed. Mr. Williford discussed some things the Chamber is doing:

 

  • Marketing
  • Small Business
  • Answer Mail
  • Workforce Development (local businesses and industries and BRCC)
  • Retail Shopping – “Shop Henderson County” about every 2 yrs.
  • Certifichecks Program – in town
  • Holiday Shopper Program
  • Agri-business Support – new position
  • Governmental Affairs – better relations in Raleigh and in D.C.
  • Amendment One Support – thanked the Commissioners for their support also

 

He explained that some of our Legislators are coming to Hendersonville on April 30 and they will take them to dinner and to the Flat Rock Playhouse.

Scott Hamilton spoke about economic development, showing and distributing some of their marketing tools.  He explained which magazines they used with their advertising dollars.  He also explained the use of over 12 domain names that they use for tracking purposes. They partnership with both Advantage West and Carolina West. He discussed briefly the Retention Program  and the Industrial Site Visits for existing businesses/industries.  He mentioned tax credit changes and the One N.C. Fund.

 

Chairman Bill Moyer introduced the Commissioners who were present.  He thanked the Chamber for the work they do for the county. 

 

Vice-Chairman Charlie Messer, a member of the NCACC (North Carolina Association of County Commissioners) Board talked briefly about his Board meeting with the association yesterday.  He informed those in attendance that former Henderson County Manager David Thompson had been chosen to succeed Ron Aycock as Executive Director of the Association (Mr. Aycock is retiring after many years of service).  David Thompson was chosen from 100 applicants. Commissioner Messer explained that NCACC goes to Raleigh to lobby for the counties in North Carolina.  Yesterday’s agenda included agriculture and tier counties.

 

Chairman Bill Moyer referred to the 2005 Strategic Plan the County recently adopted (everyone had received a copy).  He also briefly discussed the Monthly report from the County Manager that the Board receives, up-dating them on current county projects.

 

Commissioner Larry Young mentioned the need to create more industrial jobs for our area.

 

Commissioner McGrady agreed with the things the other Commissioners had said.  He thanked the Chamber for the invitation for this joint meeting.

 

As lunch orders were beginning to arrive, Jim Maher stated that we need a balanced economy.

 

Lunch

Everyone enjoyed a lovely lunch.

 

As some were finishing their lunch, Bob Williford again mentioned economic engines and stressed the importance of summer camps on our area economy. 

 

Commissioner McGrady agreed and informed those in attendance that a three-county region was holding an Open House for summer camps this week-end.

 

Bob Williford again reminded those present that some of our Legislators are coming to Hendersonville on April 30 and everyone is invited to that event.

 

Adjourn

Bob Williford adjourned the meeting at 2:25 p.m.

 

Attest:

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Elizabeth W. Corn, Clerk to the Board                           William L. Moyer, Chairman