During their January 15 meeting, the Forney Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors discussed plans for an enhanced  effort to reach out to the community.

Elements of the effort will include:

• A closer working relationship between the EDC and the Forney Chamber of Commerce;

• A business retention initiative;

• An online outreach effort to the entire community; and

• Working to gain a better insight into the needs of Forney ISD with regard to economic development issues.

The outreach effort was listed under “Discussion Items” on the agenda and no Board action was taken.

EDC Board Chairman Bill Cates called the January 15 meeting to order. Present were Board members James Hatley, Darren Rozell, and Tyler Moore; EDC Executive Director Fran Owens; and EDC Executive Assistant Kim Buttram. Noah Simon, recently-employed Director of Community Development for the City of Forney, was present in an ex officio capacity and was introduced to the Board shortly after the meeting began.

Guests included Becky Kuban, Director of Corporate Capital for Cirrus Health, who was present to give an update on the status of Forney Regional Medical Center and representatives of both the Forney Messenger and the Forney Post.

After the recognition of guests and an invocation, the Board considered two sets of minutes—those of the EDC Board meeting held December 11, 2008 and those of a public hearing held December 18, 2008. Both sets of minutes were approved with no corrections or additions by unanimous “yes” vote of the Directors present. Director Rozell moved for approval, with Director Hatley seconding.

There were two reports on the evening’s agenda. First came the Treasurer’s report, followed by the Director’s report.

In his Director’s report, Mr. Owens talked about staff educational opportunities, city department updates, preliminary plans for ICSC 2009, EDC Board certification, and upcoming events. The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) and the Transportation Reinvestment Zone (TRZ) have both been completed, Owens said, and these will give the city the tools it needs to finance infrastructure in the new development corridor. The city is now in the process of finalizing financial and development agreements for the Meadow Ridge portion of the project.

Owens also reported that the EDC staff has received final approval from the UT School of Design in regard to planning services for the downtown area. The EDC and the City of Forney have reached an agreement on funding the proposal and the first meeting between the EDC, Community Development and UTA is set for January 29.

Owens also gave a report on early discussions with the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) regarding the possibility of a University-assisted labor shed study for the immediate Forney area. Such a study would help the EDC provide labor statistics just for the Forney area to use in attracting businesses and industry to the area.

Toward the close of his report, Owens gave an update on a recent appraisal of the building the EDC is occupying at the corner of South Bois d’Arc and West Trinity.

As the Board moved into  discussion items, EDC Executive Director Fran Owens introduced Noah Simon. Mr. Simon then gave Board members an overview of what he hopes to accomplish while at the helm of the City of Forney’s planning department.

The Forney Regional Medical Center update was the second discussion item on the agenda. Ms. Kuban summarized steps Cirrus Health had taken regarding the project since summer, acknowledging that the economic crisis that struck in the fall months had slowed the project. However, the project is moving forward.

Other discussion items concerned Kaufman County Day in Austin, which is set for March 22-24, 2009; a discussion of the EDC building’s appraisal report; and the 2009 EDC Board of Directors events calendar.

The only action item on the agenda was a Mobilite Pre-Pay Lease Term Sheet, based on the Treasurer’s recommendation. After a short discussion, Hatley moved that in view of the EDC Treasurer’s recommendation not to accept the current proposal the Board continue negotiations and make a counter-offer, with the subject continuing to pay monthly rent. Hatley’s motion passed with all Directors voting in favor.

After the vote regarding the Mobilite Pre-Pay Lease Term sheet, the Board went into an executive session for approximately 15 minutes. They returned to open session at 8:15 p. m. and unanimously voted to give Executive Director Fran Owens the authority to move forward on the matter discussed in executive session.

There were no public communications. After discussing possible future agenda items, the EDC meeting was adjourned with all Directors voting in favor of a motion to adjourn by Hatley, with Moore seconding. Adjournment came at 8:22 p. m.