Staff provided a broad economic development report covering several projects and outreach efforts, and the board discussed options for assisting the local senior citizens center.

Speaker 2 reported progress at Avar Rail Park — construction work on wells and utilities — and said the county had submitted a TSET beautification grant and planned to apply for a T-Mobile grant. He said he had solicited letters of support, including from the lieutenant governor and Representative Carl Newton, and had spoken with prospective private partners such as Cargill Salt and local businesses. Staff framed the Lieutenant Governor’s Turkey Hunt as an outreach opportunity and discussed inviting state agency heads and business guests to tour local industrial assets.

On small-community assistance, Speaker 7 and others raised the senior citizens center’s need for equipment and flooring; Speaker 7 said the center originally sought about $40,000. The board discussed whether to use interest generated by ShareTrust accounts or create a new program (grant vs. loan) to support noncommercial community needs. Speaker 2 outlined balances held: a CD near $31,000 and two shared-trust accounts he referenced as roughly $442,000 and $217,000, and suggested work to define program eligibility, matching requirements and application criteria.

Members agreed to gather more precise cost estimates from the senior center, verify ShareTrust interest amounts with fund administrators, and develop criteria that would govern any grant program or loan product before returning to the board for action. No appropriation was approved at the meeting.