HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/14/2026 - Economic Development (EDA) - Minutes - Regular
MEETING MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
OF THE CITY OF SALEM, VIRGINIA
The Economic Development Authority of the City of Salem, Virginia, held a meeting on
April 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 114 North Broad Street,
Salem, Virginia 24153. Members present were Quinn Mongan, Cindy Shelor, Paul Kuhnel, Kim
Blair, Joe Curran, and Jason Fountain. Sean Kosmann was absent.
Also present were Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager
(absent); Jim Guynn, Guynn Waddell, Tommy Miller, Director of Economic Development;
Wayne Adkins, Business Outreach Coordinator; Rebecca Marsh, Economic Development
Specialist; Rosie Jordan, Treasurer; and Crystal Williams, Secretary.
The Chair called the meeting to order. The March 10, 2026 meeting minutes were
approved as presented. Ms. Jordan reviewed the financial report as of February 28, 2026.
Chair Kuhnel stated that at the previous meeting Dave Robbins presented a request to
construct a parking lot at Preston Place, at 1936 West Main Street. Mr. Kuhnel read the
resolution that he and Mr. Guynn had prepared. A discussion followed during which several
amendments to the resolution were proposed.
A motion was made to approve the amended resolution for the parking lot request not to
exceed $50,000 for the Preston Place, with a deadline of 36 months. The motion was contingent
upon execution of a performance agreement acceptable to the City Attorney and specified that
the funds would be appropriated from reserves.
Motion: Mongan: Second: Shelor: All Aye
Mr. Curran stated that he would like the EDA to begin developing a framework for the
use of its funds to improve preparedness and efficiency in decision-making. He noted that the
EDA has over $860,000 in unrestricted cash balances and that establishing guidelines could
strengthen its role in economic development. The City Attorney suggested the EDA adopt a
policy. Ms. Blair recommended reviewing policies from other Economic Development
Authorities to inform the development of a policy. Mr. Miller stated that he would bring that
back to the EDA at a later meeting.
Following the motion, Mr. Guynn noted that, since Mr. Robbins will not require the
funding for approximately three months, it would not be necessary to draw from the reserves
immediately. Ms. Jordan confirmed that, if so directed, the funding request could be included in
the upcoming FY2027 budget.
A motion was made to amend the previous motion to allocate funding for the parking lot
through the FY2027 budget rather than from reserves.
Motion: Mongan; Second: Blair; All Aye
With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m.