Minutes 02/14/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ ; ,J. ,< February 14, 2006 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Martinsville City Council request all other counties and cities in Southern Virginia to support this resolution and the creation of a Southern Region by the Virginia Tourism Corporation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Martinsville City Council request that the newly created Southern Region have all the benefits and marketing efforts that the other currently recognized regions have in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Council next received an update from the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. Jim Barnett, the City's representative on the Board, indicated that the new director, Mark Heath, would be starting on February 20. Council Member Clark said that although he realized our community needs to be marketed as a whole, he would like to see a strategy for the City and a structured plan on what direction the EDC is taking in the areas of commercial and retail development. Council Member Ferrill also indicated it is important to do all we can to make City properties as marketable as possible. Tom Harned, Vice President of Product Management, mentioned the three divisions of the EDC--tourism, existing businesses and business recruitment and attraction. David Rotenizer gave an overview on the importance of tourism and elaborated on plans he is currently working such as a website, visitor center, brochure, postcard, restaurant inventory, asset inventory and the community pride initiative. Mr. Harned announced that Lisa Fultz had been hired as the Small and Minority Business Director and that Marie Ferguson, of the Chamber, has been hired as Lisa's replacement at the West Piedmont Business Development Center, effective March 1. He also mentioned that a representative of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership will be assisting with developing and RFP for the virtual building