Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDA asks for higher operating support after Shell Building's December electric bill tripled projected cost
Summary
Amherst County Economic Development Authority requested additional operational funding after higher-than-expected electricity bills for the Shell Building and other EDA facilities; board members expressed support and asked staff to include the increase in their review.
The Amherst County Economic Development Authority asked supervisors March 11 for an operational increase after the authority's newly completed Shell Building incurred electricity costs well above the EDA's budget projection.
Ms. Hanson of the EDA told the board the Shell Building construction finished in mid-December and the EDA budgeted roughly $800 per month for electricity; the December bill was about $2,200. She said the EDA's operating budget has been minimally increased in recent years while inflation and new facility costs have mounted. Hanson said the EDA's current request is a mid-range operations increase (she described a roughly 16% increase and a requested figure in the packet around $60,000 total operating request) to cover higher utilities and ongoing shell-building maintenance; she also called out ongoing costs for the Amelon Commerce Centre lighting.
Several supervisors signaled support for the EDA request, noting the EDA's role in business attraction and that the shell building is intended to be an asset that attracts tenants and jobs. The board asked staff to include the EDA's request in the supplemental/CIP review and to provide any additional documentation on projected tenant revenue and amortized debt service so the board can weigh operating support against potential rental income.
Ending: Staff said they will include the EDA request in the supplemental packet and return with additional context about electricity cost trends for the building and any tenant prospects.
