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Leesburg Economic Development Commission approves June 5 networking event, emphasizes metrics and business outreach
Summary
The commission voted to hold a business networking event June 5 (8:00–9:30 a.m.) at Lightfoot and discussed metrics, liaison assignments and outreach priorities; staff said the event budget is capped at $1,200 and the town can continue to accept sponsorships.
The Leesburg Economic Development Commission on April 2 voted to hold a business networking event on June 5 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Lightfoot, and discussed outreach, performance metrics and liaison assignments to other town boards and commissions.
The commission approved a motion to hold the event; the motion was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. The meeting record shows all commissioners present voted in favor.
Staff said the town has a strict budget for the event ($1,200) but can pursue sponsorships and will use town promotion channels once date, time and location are finalized. Melody (economic development staff) told the commission the department is prepared to support promotion and will circulate panel and program ideas; Russell (economic development staff referenced in the meeting) and staff will handle logistics and moderator/panelist recruitment.
Commissioners emphasized using the event to solicit actionable feedback from businesses. Commissioner Eric Wine recommended establishing quantitative metrics the commission can use to measure economic performance and the results of outreach. "Metrics — monthly or annual baselines — would let us measure progress over time," Wine said. Staff noted the town recently acquired a service called Placer that provides monthly reports and snapshots on visits and trips; staff said Placer and internal data can be used to produce the metrics the commission requests.
Other items discussed included business awards (May 7; staff reported about 90 RSVPs), the town’s participation in VA250 programming (a "2 lights" display on the town green and other locations), and liaison assignments to other commissions (Airport, Diversity Commission, Parks and Recreation, Thomas Belk Library, planning and public art). Commissioners volunteered to serve as liaisons and staff recorded the assignments.
The commission also agreed on broader 2025 objectives including outreach and networking, supporting zoning redevelopment and pursuing expedited review processes for business openings and redevelopment. Commissioners discussed practical, periodic metrics to monitor (examples suggested included approval timelines, parking/visitation statistics and business participation rates) and asked staff to produce a proposed list of measurable indicators for the commission to prioritize.
Procedural votes recorded at the April 2 meeting included approval of the March 5, 2025 minutes earlier in the agenda and a motion to adjourn at the end of the meeting; both motions were seconded and carried by voice vote without recorded dissents.
No formal policy or budget appropriation beyond the described event authorization was passed; staff will follow up on panel selection, promotion and metrics options and will share the public input matrix and Placer reports as requested.
