Hampshire County Development Authority
Board Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2025
Brannon #207/#209
Present: Beverly Keadle, David Mayfield, Jaclynn Graybill, Jeff Richman, Len McMaster, Logan Mantz, Jon Todd Hott, Cathy Simon.
Excused: Brian Hott, Tamitha Wilkins, Jason Hicks.
Guests: Rick Hillenbrand, Justin Evans, Keith McIntosh, Jodi Adams, Sarah King, Isaiah Chaney.
Zoom: Rebecca Miller, Alison Jewell.
At 10:00 AM, having a quorum, Vice-President Beverly Keadle called the HCDA Board meeting to order. Following was the Pledge of Allegiance.
Presentation: EWVEA – Presented by Jon Todd Hott. Update on the Eastern West Virginia Economic Alliance which includes a combination of four counties; Hampshire, Morgan, Jefferson, and Berkeley Development Authorities and Eastern WV Regional Airport. Documentation was filmed for Hampshire County, which included Capon Bridge and Romney sites. This is useful for trade shows to show to those who do not know our county. Hott showed a video of what was filmed.
Approval of Agenda: Len McMaster made a motion to approve the agenda. Jaclynn Graybill seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Secretary’s Report – Minutes from November 19th, 2025 board meeting were presented. Len McMaster made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Jeff Richman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: David Mayfield reported on the financials for the month of November. Numbers are good. David Mayfield made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Marketing Committee Report: Beverly Keadle presented.
- Chamber of Commerce – Jaclynn Graybill (Director-HCCC) reported. First Annual Chamber of Commerce Member Christmas event December 11th at the Bottling Works was a huge success.
Had 3-4 new partners come on board at the event and 3 after the event. Presently 92 members.
- Workforce Development/Job Fairs – Had a mini job fair at the Romney Brew Station on Monday for building contractors specifically. Those invited were from the high school, Pathways and the Day Reporting Center. Contractors that attended were 5-6 contractors. There was very little attendance for workers. The four that were there, were hired. That day was a 2-hour delay in the schools, which contributed in no show from the high school.
- Discussion has been had to host another job fair here on campus February 26th at the Brannon Building Auditorium. More planning is to come. Hampshire High School will host a job fair in March.
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- Director Hott, Candace DeLong and Logan Mantz attended the Farm Bureau meeting last night. Spoke to them about the agricultural support that we are trying to do for them through Shepherd College and the programming that they are doing. Also spoke to them about scholarship opportunities that are not only through Shepherd College but through an endowment fund that the Board of Education has. One question that was asked was about transitioning your farm to the next generation. More information will be given regarding this subject. The HC Chamber may be able to assist with training to Transition a Business by adding it as a topic for one of the monthly business training classes.
- Moving forward with Workforce Development, a piece of bad news is that the High School Welding Class grant was denied. Working with Lauren Arbaugh at EWVCTC, who is now seeking funds for that project.
- Hampshire On the Horizon – Received 1 application to date with 3 prospects. Deadline is December 31st.
Featured Businesses are as follows:
- January – Garden of Knead’n.
- February – Rees Sweets & Treats
Personnel Committee: No Report. May meet in January.
Risk Management & Safety Committee: Tamitha Wilkins. No report.
Executive Director’s Report & Update-Report submitted for review by Jon Todd Hott.
Capon Bridge Tech Park
- Pro-Finish – Moving forward with engineering and contracting plans, however, must submit an offer letter for review by the Board. Will hopefully be submitted for the January meeting.
Capon Bridge Community Complex
- Garden of Knead’n has passed their health inspection. Soft opening coming soon.
- USDA Grant – Signed more documents. Next step is to submit expenses.
Romney Industrial Park
- Multi-Tenant Building – Will have tenant issue to deal with in the coming weeks.
- Potomac Eagle – Spoke with Robert Franzen. Ready to move forward but his state contract has not been resolved. He as been audited for the first time and that is a process.
- Pen-Marr Recycling – Looking for a site to have a business in the Romney Industrial Park.
Collaborate with Transfer Station.
- Logan Mantz discussed building a land offer evaluation rubric to be used to measure land offers received in our Business Parks.
School Street Property – Update on demolition. Director Hott spoke to the Board of Education to find details on abatement process.
- Annex – Nothing new. Update lease agreement between HC Economic Development and HC Commission. On a 20-year lease, 90-day out clause.
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- ECS – Staying in communication with the ECS Office and Justin Beck. Will be submitting additional information. Grant due end of January.
Housing Report
- Reports show that there are currently 80 homes for sale in Hampshire County. Ninety-nine last month. Finance committee to meet regarding housing project in the county. Discussion.
NEW BUSINESS
- J&J Grocery – Yellow Springs area. Will demo building and build new. Got permits. Moving forward with plans.
- Thrasher – CB Tech Park – Director Hott reached out to get estimate from Thrasher to get property out of the floodplain.
- HC Commission – Commissioner Logan Mantz stated the Commission may be in a better financial position in 2026. Sale of Hampshire Center 11.7M.
OLD BUSINESS
- Retail Strategies –Discussion on whether the board would like to move forward with this initiative.
- Annual Luncheon – Today at 12:30PM at the Carriage House.
- Children’s Home Society – A child was adopted by the HCDA for Christmas. T. Hott sponsored another child and Cathy Simon also did so.
COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN – Len McMaster made a motion to adjourn. David Mayfield seconded the motion. Motion carried.
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