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Enclosure #1-a 154 <br /> THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2001 <br /> <br />A special and duly-called meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, with Mayor Dr. Mark <br />A. Crabtree presiding, was held Thursday, October 4, 2001, in Room 32, City Hall, beginning at 9:30 A.M. <br />The purpose of the meeting was to review the City's Strategic Plan, as created July 5-6, 2001. Members of <br />Council present included: Dr. Mark A. Crabtree, Mayor; M. Gene Teague, Vice-Mayor; Ronald Ferrill, and <br />Terry L. Roop. Council Member Bruce H.T. Dallas was absent. <br /> <br />Mayor Crabtree opened the meeting. Mr. Earl B. Reynolds, Jr., City Manager, explained that Council's <br />primary objective for the Meeting was to assess the progress of each element of the Strategic Plan and <br />assign timelines to the same. Further, City Manager Reynolds said that since econ~omic development is a major <br />component of the plan, economic development should be discussed first. Mr. Tom Harned, Economic <br />Development Director for the City was asked to summarize the City's progress, to date. <br /> <br />Mr. Hamed said the City is working proactively with the State and Henry County, especially regarding <br />information and referral sharing. Also, work is in process to staff the City's Economic Development Office. <br />Currently, two staff members are in place, and recruitment is underway for additional staff. Efforts have been <br />launched to market the Clearview Business Park, and two tenants have been recruited for the West Piedmont <br />Business Development Center. A third tenant may be in-place shortly. Council Member Fen-ill encouraged <br />further continuation of recruitment and marketing of these sites. Council Member Teague said the progress <br />obtained for the business incubator is favorable, and he hopes the momentum will continue. Mr. Hamed said his <br />staff has been working diligently towards the Interstate 73 Project and U.S. Highway 58 upgrade. Mr. Hamed <br />stated that the primary emphasis is on marketing the City's industrial and commercial properties, with the first <br />priority being on the Clearview Business Park and the second focus on the Rives Road Industrial Park. Council <br />Member Teague added that the City's attention should be directed towards economic development, adding jobs, <br />and increasing the tax base. City Manager Reynolds said the City is doing its part with regional economic <br /> <br /> <br />