Author: Cathy Simon

Hampshire County Development Authority

Board Meeting Minutes

January 22, 2026

Brannon #207/#209

Present: Brian Hott, Beverly Keadle, David Mayfield, Jaclynn Graybill, Jeff Richman, Jason Hicks, Logan Mantz, David Pancake, Dave Holliday, Jon Todd Hott, Cathy Simon.

Excused: Tamitha Wilkins.

Guests:  Sydney Maurer, Jodi Adams.

Zoom: Rebecca Miller, Len McMaster, Lauren Arbaugh, Keith McIntosh.

At 10:00 AM, having a quorum, President Brian Hott called the HCDA Board meeting to order. Following was the Pledge of Allegiance and Prayer.

Approval of Agenda:  David Mayfield made a motion to approve the agenda.  Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.

• Commissioner Mantz swore in David Pancake and Dave Holliday as new members of the board.
• President Hott appointed Dave Holliday to take the place of outgoing committee member, Dorinda Stother, to the Marketing/Workforce Development Committee.

Secretary’s Report – Minutes from December, 2025 board meeting were presented. Jaclynn Graybill made a motion to accept the minutes as read.   Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:  David Mayfield reported on the financials for the month of December 2025. CBCC deficit because of county commission paid expenses. Rentals are consistent and going well. Got appraisal report on land in CBTP and RBP and will need to be paid in the amount of $12,000.  Jason Hicks made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. David Mayfield seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Marketing Committee Report: Beverly Keadle presented. Met this morning.

• Chamber of Commerce – Jaclynn Graybill (Director-HCCC) and Director Hott reported. HC Chamber sponsoring a monthly educational learning series to businesses who are members of the Chamber of Commerce. Online classes are available as well as in person.
• The HC Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with HCDA, will host a job fair on campus at WVSDB on February 26^th at the Brannon Building Auditorium. More planning is to come. Hampshire High School will host a job fair in March.
• Hampshire On the Horizon – Second class last Tuesday night. One participant has decided to drop out because of the decision to be non-profit. Still have 12 participants. List provided to the board.
• Workforce Development-Working in collaboration with EWVCTC (Lauren Arbaugh), Hampshire High School (Julie Landis) and WVSDB (Superintendent Burch) to get trade classes set up in the county. Goal is to have a welding class at the high school and also to have an electrical and

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• carpentry class on campus at WVSDB. EWVCTC is helping with funding and project coordination. Commissioner Mantz requested Director Hott and Lauren Arbaugh present this pitch to the County Commission.
• Commissioner Mantz reported on conversations with Shepherd College for Agriculture & Tourism. After Shepherd College has met with their senior staff, they reported they would like to lean into a relationship with Hampshire County with building out new offerings they have for rural communities similar to ours. At that, they are looking at dual enrollment programs with two different tracks. One which would provide a generalized or stand-alone course path. And looking at what they have to offer regarding Agri-Tourism, Agri-Business. Another pipeline to offer along the lines of course structure and direct degrees within Shepherd to make those courses accessible. They understand that a goal is to make the classes accessible to Hampshire High School and WVSDB students as well as the general public. Hampshire County is the first county that they are working with so far and are trying to make a plan to offer these classes.
• Legislative Update – Director Hott communicated with some of the legislators regarding having another event similar to last year.
• Business of the month for January – Garden of Knead’n.

• Business of the month for February – Rees Sweets & Treats.

Personnel Committee:  No Report.

Risk Management & Safety Committee: Tamitha Wilkins.  Wilkins communicated that flu numbers are on the rise.

Executive Director’s Report & Update-Report submitted for review by Jon Todd Hott.

Capon Bridge Tech Park

• Aquabanq – Have not communicated as of late.
• Pro-Finish – Still interested in property in the CBTP. Have not submitted the offer letter for board review.  Are working hard on completing their due diligence with architects and contractors.

Capon Bridge Community Complex

• Garden of Knead’n – Open and operating.
• USDA Grant – Submitting invoices.

Romney Industrial Park

• Potomac Eagle –Franzen ready to move forward but his state contract has not been resolved. Discussion.

• Multi-Tenant Building – Notice of failure to pay or quit for one of the tenants.

School Street Property

• Annex – Received Phase I report from the Board of Education. Sent 32 pages of report with board packet. Anyone can request a copy of the full report of approximately 200 pages. Mayor signed plat and it has been recorded with the county. Director Hott spoke to board about trailer situation that is at the School Street Property. Discussion.
• Demolition – Reclaim on site.
• ECS – Grant submitted. Discussion regarding the other recreational property on School Street.

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Housing Report – No Report.

• J&J Grocery – Yellow Springs area. Will demo building and build new. Got permits. Moving forward with plans.
• WVEDC Meeting Report – Director Hott attended the WV Economic Development Conference. He shared some insights on certain bills he thought would of interest to the Board. 1) Forest Products Revitalization Bill-Bringing timber business back to West Virginia. 2) Housing – Bill to help with builders. Remove sales tax on building materials. 3) Infrastructure funds for industrial road access to be increased from $400,00 to $800,000. 4) LED Funding – This year $31,800 from last year’s $41,500. Next year proposing to be less that this year. Data Centers were a cause for discussion as well as the shortage of airplane hangars, site readiness and workforce development.

OLD BUSINESS – No Old Business.

NEW BUSINESS

Thrasher – Site Readiness of properties is an issue. Spoke with Thrasher and the floodplain coordinator to bring more acreage out of the flood plain. Preliminary cost to move dirt and FEMA reclassification/rezoned was near $3,000-$4,000.

Rubric – To Board for review.  Jason Hicks made a motion to adopt. David Mayfield seconded. Motion passed.

COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC COMMENT

ADJOURN –David Mayfield made a motion to adjourn. Jason Hicks seconded the motion. Motion carried.

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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 26^th 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 31^st.

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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Hampshire County Development Authority

Board Meeting Minutes

November 19th, 2025

Brannon #207/#209

Present: Brian Hott, Beverly Keadle, David Mayfield, Jaclynn Graybill, Jeff Richman, Len McMaster, Logan Mantz, Tamitha Wilkins, Alison Jewell, Jon Todd Hott, Cathy Simon.

Excused: Rebecca Miller.

Guests: Sydney Maurer, Rick Hillenbrand, Olivia Duman, Keith McIntosh, Rick Hillenbrand, Hoy Shingleton.

Zoom: Jason Hicks, Rolf Ronken.

At 10:05 AM, having a quorum, President Brian Hott called the HCDA Board meeting to order. Following was the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.

Appointment of New Board Member: Tim Reece not approved by County Commission to be placed on the Economic Development board.

Approval of Agenda:  Mayor Keadle made a motion to approve the agenda.  Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Presentation: Retail Strategies/Lacey Baccus

Presented Hampshire County and community statistics.  Grocery store is the main gap in the economic

strategy of the community.

Olivia Duman from Region 8 was introduced. She is interested in attending our meetings.

Secretary’s Report – Minutes from November 19^th, 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:  Director Hott reported on the financials in the absence of David Mayfield. Kunkles and Carlin had a Zoom meeting to kickoff handing the accounting and financials to Carlin in the event of the Kunkle’s retirement at the end of the year. To answer a question regarding the balance sheet that Jason Hicks asked was adjustments to assets. Adjustments to assets are recorded on an annual basis. CB Community Complex report not included because bills have not been submitted to pay as to date. Have not heard from the USDA regarding grant for CBCC.  Jeff Richman made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion passed.

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Marketing Committee Report: Beverly Keadle presented.

• Chamber of Commerce – Director Hott reported. First Annual Chamber of Commerce Member Christmas event December 11 at the Bottling Works. Jaclynn Graybill (also a HCDA Board

member), who is the Director of HC Chamber of Commerce reported that there are presently 80 members.

• Lunch N Learn – AgriTourism event on hold until first part of 2026. Focusing on Workforce Development more now. December 15^th there will be a job fair hosted by the Brew Station for the Chamber of Commerce for contractors. In the near future with collaboration from different entities such as WVCorr, and Julie Landis to name a few. There are plans to sponsor another job fair for laborers. In addition, a job fair will be held at the Brannon Building, tentatively for February on a larger scale. Plans are to hold it at a later time in the day to encourage high school students and adults and give them the opportunity to attend.
• Workforce Development – Working with Lauren Arbaugh at EWVCTC and Hampshire County Schools and Clayton Burch at WVSDB, we are going to have 3 classes that will begin in August 2026. One will be at the high school for welding and will be open to HHS students, D&B students and also the public as a whole. It will allow you a 12-week class to get certified. Same thing will be at WVSDB that will offer electrical and carpentry classes. Planning has been for figuring out locations, instructors and funding. EWVCTC is taking the initiative on the credentialing and curriculum. Technically, the cost for the classes is $2,200. However, with state grants, the cost per adult participant will be $200.

Featured Businesses are as follows:

• December – Potomac Eagle
• January – Garden of Knead’n.
• February – Rees Sweets & Treats

Personnel Committee:  No Report.

Risk Management & Safety Committee: Tamitha Wilkins.

• In flu season. Recently got first confirmed cases of Influenza A.
• Currently have patients with confirmed RSV in the county.
• Health Department is vaccinating for flu and RSV and trying to get the word out.
• Have a few COVID test kits, but probably will be exhausted with those by the first of December.
• Going to Capon Bridge every quarter to a doctor’s office to learn what is needed.
• Going to the Senior Center each week, specifically for blood pressure checks.
• WIC for lead testing through a grant that allows free lead testing.
• Renovations completed and currently putting in heaters at the 911 Center and are moving heaters at the Health Dept. Going through punch list for anything else that may need repairs from the renovations.

Executive Director’s Report & Update-Report submitted for review.

Capon Bridge Tech Park

• S.J. Morse – Got $600,000 loan approved by the state and installed a new sander to approve efficiency in their business.

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• Aquabanq – Met Riley Keaton and spoke about Aquabanq. Said he would reach out on our behalf to A.J. Shapiro. No update.

• Garden of Knead’n – Very close to opening pending a final health inspection. Capon Bridge Glass has to pour a walkway yet. Was hoping to open before Halloween. May be closer to December for opening. Exciting to see improvements to the building.
• USDA Grant – Awarded for grant. Government is shut down. Still no word.
• Romney Business Park – Soft Cloth owes October, November and December.
• Potomac Eagle – No update. Business of the Month for December.

Old Business

• School Street Demolition –Abatement period to start end of this week and run until December 3^rd with demolition starting first of the year.
• Assessment Grant Status – Back into office. Lots to catch up on. Waiting to hear what funds are available.
• Annex Building Update – at HC Commission meeting yesterday, the MOU was amended. Building has been transferred to HCC. Deed has been executed. Hoy has drafted a sample lease for consideration. Mantz’s recommendation was to have a long-term lease with a ninety-day clause in it on behalf of both parties to renegotiate the lease if for example the Sheriff’s office wanted to move locations in the future.
• Wellness Center – Sub-committee to discuss further. No comments or decisions were made in Executive Session.
• Housing Report– Number of homes in Hampshire County are around 99. This month is 84. Median value of those homes being just under $300,000. We have zero middle income homes.

Housing is an issue to be discussed further. Track of land in Augusta off of Rt. 50 that would be good for a housing development. Working with real estate agencies and WVEDA Regional Director Keith McIntosh.

New Business

• Prospecting two businesses- To build a business and another to purchase property in the CBTP.
• Infrastructure Loan Fund – Permission to transfer to CB Community Complex. Mayor Keadle made a motion to recommend transferring to CB Community Complex account from Infrastructure Loan Account. Len McMaster seconded the motion. Motion carried.
• December Luncheon – December 17^th.
• Children’s Home Society – Adopt a Child for Christmas. Motion to approve by Len McMaster. Seconded by Alison Jewell. Motion carried.

• Community Comments – None

• The board went into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations. Beverly Keadle made a motion to enter into Executive Session. Jaclynn Graybill seconded the motion. Motion carried.
• The Board came back into regular session. No decisions were made or motions made in Executive Session.

Adjourn – Jeff Richman made a motion to adjourn. David Mayfield seconded the motion. Motion carried.

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