HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/2015
OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISOR
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
Economic Development Committee (EDC) Meeting Minutes
Nov. 20, 2015
Present: Steve Latham, John McLane, Carolyn Fahey, Sara Garretson, Donielle Cardinale, Rona Smith,
John Stype, Tony Cocheo, Councilman Bill Ruland. Excused: Supervisor Scott Russell.
The meeting was called to order at 2 pm. It was noted that this was the first meeting without Phillip
Beltz, who had ably chaired the Committee since its inception.
Presentation from the Southold Local Development Corporation: Rona introduced Bruce Ferguson,
Executive Director. (Note: Rona Smith and Steve Latham are on the Board of the SLDC). Mr. Ferguson
described the work of the SLDC which is an entity formed to issue tax-free bonds to provide financing to
non-profit organizations in Southold Town. The non-profit portion of the Peconic Landing expansion was
the first such bond issued SLDC determines the appropriateness of the applicant organization and the
project to be financed based on benefits to the community. Issuers make the actual credit decision and
market the bonds. There was discussion about possible mechanisms for packaging several smaller
projects together to reduce transaction costs for smaller borrowers.
Old Business
th
375 Anniversary/Small Business Saturday: Sara Garretson provided an update. All present were
encouraged to promote the event through their contacts.
Food Project: Sara reported on discussions with Karen Karp..Ms Karp’s scope of work to include
assisting with questionaire design, development of Food Forum event and facilitating industry
meetings. The wider scope of tasks for Ms. Karp will mean a higher budget for her consulting
services. A Food Industry Sub-Committee was formed. Members, in addition to Sara Garretson
are Carolyn Fahey, John Stype and John McLane. Ms. Karp is to be invited to a future EDC
meeting to be determined.
New Business
East End Arts Council will be our guest at the December Meeting.
Planning Retreat: It was suggested that in January we would schedule a planning retreat to take
a more strategic look at our goals and how we can escalate our job creation impacts.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 3:50pm.
Next Meeting: 12/11/2015 at 2pm in the Supervisor’s Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Garretson, Secretary