Economic Development Authority

Meetings

• 5:30 pm
• Third Thursday of every month
• Town Hall
  121 Thompson St.
  P.O. Box 1600
  Ashland, VA 23005

Members

The seven directors of the EDA are appointed by Town Council to four-year staggered terms.

 Tim Shelton

Serving Since: June 2015

Term Expires: December 2022

Charlie Martin

Serving Since: April 2015

Term Expires: December 2022

 Marnie Triscari

 Service Since: January 2012

 Term Expires: December 2024

 Jack Zemp

 Serving Since: April 2015

 Term Expires: December 2022

Randy Lewis

Serving Since: March 2019

Term Expires: December 2022

Wayne Dishman 

Serving Since: November 2020

Term Expires: December 2024

Jonathan Farmer

 Serving Since: January 2021

 Term Expires: December 2024

Purpose

The EDA meets to consider requests for approval of tax exempt borrowing for economic development purposes. The EDA administers loan, grant and bond programs which support economic growth and vitality.

 Economic Development Authority (EDA) Loans & Grants

• Infrastructure Forgivable Loan - application

The Infrastructure program is designed to assist business and property owners with costs associated with site-readiness infrastructure such as water and sewer. The loan can be forgiven if the awarded applicant satisfies all goals and objectives set forth in the approved plan.

• Demolition Forgivable Loan - application

In appropriate circumstances, funds for demolition can be granted from the EDA. As with the Infrastructure program, the loan can be forgiven if the awarded applicant satisfies all goals and objectives set forth in the approved plan.

• Revitalization Grant - application

This program is designed to support reinvestment in distressed or historic properties. Scoring priority is given to those projects considering a scope of significant restoration or for properties in a high-visibility corridor. This is a rolling grant program with no deadline for submission.

• Interstate 95 Corridor Restaurant Incentive Program - application

This program is designed to help offset the cost to redevelop restaurant sites in the appears to be an empty link with target https://www.ashlandva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1592  An incentive of up to $550,000 in total over up to 6 years is available to restaurant projects which meet the program requirements.

• Interstate 95 Corridor Hotel Incentive Program - application

This program is designed to help defray the cost to redevelop hotel sites in the Interstate 95 Hospitality Incentive Area. An incentive of up to $550,000 in total over up to 6 years is available to qualifying hotel projects.

• Route 1 Enhancement Grant Program - application

The Ashland Economic Development Authority is offering a grant program to assist businesses along the US 1 corridor (Washington Highway) within the Ashland Town boundaries. This Grant is for improvements for enhancing and revitalizing the visual appearance and appeal of their commercially zoned property, buildings, and entrances.

• Businesses Supporting Outdoor Recreation Grant Program - application

This grant program is for businesses supporting outdoor recreation and the use of the Fall Line Trail within the Ashland Town boundaries to stimulate the growth of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, The Economic Development Authority (EDA) will award projects that meet these criteria along the Fall Line Trail Corridor. Suggested businesses are outdoor outfitters, outdoor guides, sporting goods stores including athletic shoe stores, snack shops, restaurants, provision providers, bicycle sales and rentals, bed and breakfasts, and other businesses catering to outdoor recreation or users of the Fall Line Trail.

 

For more information, contact Kelly Franke, Business Development Coordinator at (804) 798-1073 or kfranke@ashlandva.gov.