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EDA moves to join BOOMS/Main Street America program; votes to forward resolution, pay initial $375 fee
Summary
Amelia County's EDA voted to forward a resolution to the Board of Supervisors to participate in the BOOMS/Main Street America program, approved paying the $375 annual enrollment fee now, and signaled willingness to cover a future $2,000–$2,500 local match if required; the Tobacco Commission and state agencies are expected to provide matching funds.
The Amelia County Economic Development Authority agreed on May 13 to forward a resolution to the Board of Supervisors to join the BOOMS program, a Main Street America‑linked effort that registers small towns in a national database and brings consultants to identify revitalization opportunities.
Kristen Jackson, executive director of the Commonwealth Regional Council, outlined the two‑phase program: an initial designation and registration step (phase 1) and a deeper consultant‑led process (phases 3–5) that would inventory historic properties and identify 3–4 priority sites and potential grants. Jackson said Tobacco Commission funds, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Virginia Housing have offered matching funds; ordinarily towns would pay about $2,000–$2,500 in match for the consultant phases, but the Tobacco Commission indicated it would cover some initial matches so towns could participate with a much smaller outlay. Jackson also said an annual Main Street America membership fee is $375.
Board members asked whether historic‑district designation would unduly restrict renovations; staff and Neil explained the differences between local, state, and national registers and said tax credits are available for eligible renovation work that meets Secretary of the Interior standards. Neil described combined state and federal tax credits that can total about 40% of eligible renovation costs and noted credits accrue to property owners and may be transferred.
Following discussion, a member moved to forward the sample resolution to the Board of Supervisors and for the EDA to cover the $375 annual fee now and to be willing to cover the later $2,000–$2,500 match; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The EDA chair said the resolution will appear on the supervisors’ agenda for their approval.
Next steps: staff will provide the one‑page resolution to supervisors, coordinate any training or demo of the BOOMS database, and identify the EDA’s designated staff person for ongoing maintenance of listings if the program proceeds.
