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Lancaster EDA reviews website redesign; staff proposes standalone economic‑development site
Summary
The county’s new assistant IT employee previewed the EDA website and members favored a standalone, business‑focused site or top‑level tab with resources, incentives and a site‑selection map to better attract and assist businesses.
The Lancaster County Economic Development Authority on July 16 heard a demonstration of the EDA’s website and discussed shifting to a standalone economic‑development site or a top‑level navigation tab to make it easier for local and prospective businesses to find incentives, resources and site‑selection information.
John Bateman introduced Seth Ruby, the county’s newly hired assistant IT staff, who said the EDA site is functionally similar to last year’s version but has backend improvements and mobile responsiveness. "I'm Seth Ruby. I've been living here in Lancaster... and I'm working right now on two website projects," Ruby said, describing a home page with an updates section, a resources tab for businesses, and an embedded site‑selection map from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
Members suggested changes to better signal that Lancaster is "open for business," recommending photographs of local events (for example, the Irvington Farmers Market) and content that highlights transportation, broadband and incentives. Several members supported either a distinct EDA domain or a top‑level "Economic Development" navigation item that links to a fuller set of resources and the EDA’s grant information.
Bateman said the county has limited staff capacity for outreach and that a web hub should complement an eventual physical resource or local business‑support activities. Members asked that the website include clear, standardized guidance on how to apply for EDA grants and loans and suggested an abridged business‑plan template to standardize applications.
No formal decision was required; staff will continue development, incorporate member feedback and return revised site‑navigation and content proposals to the authority.
