Efforts made to lure company

By Loretta Tackett Staff Writer

Meeting for the first time in two years, the economic development board agreed Thursday to put $170,000 into a temporary building for a company it is trying to attract.

The Industrial Development and Economic Authority (IDEA) — established Jan. 25, 1988, through an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Pikeville and Pike County — had not met in about two years, said city appointee Frank Billiter. There was no business to discuss as the county did not have developable property, said county appointee Kitty Baird.

Starting the meeting Thursday, Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford said, “We have signed an agreement with a corporation who wants to locate here. We’re not at liberty to give information about the company, but it has to do with energy. We signed a confidentiality agreement with the state and the company not to reveal the name of the company.”

“Paul and I went on our first industrial trip together to California,” Rutherford said about former governor Paul Patton, who acted as temporary chairman before the election of new officers.

“We got pictures,” Patton said. “We were young and good looking at that time.”

“Your workmanship is very prevalent,” County Economic Development Coordinator John Gatling told Patton about his Aid to Distressed Counties turning into a program now called CREDA.

The board has three members appointed by the Judge-Executive — Baird, Patton and Lyle Blackburn — and three named by the mayor — Billiter, Marvin Hensley, and Bill Vanhoose, who was on vacation. The board elected Hensley as vice-chairman and voted to appoint County Finance Director Johnda Billiter as secretary/treasurer and set a salary for her services.

“I’m not in a position to assume the position,” Patton said about the permanent chairman position, for which Blackburn nominated Baird.

Patton, who formed the board as judge-executive in 1988 with then Mayor W.C. Hambley, said Baird’s chamber of commerce experience would make her idea for the position to which Baird was elected.

“IDEA is responsible for the industrial recruitment for the county and city,” Patton said. “In order to provide money to get land, the city and the county may make a legislative allotment to the authority.”

“We actually have some funds now,” Blackburn said, asking the judge’s secretary for the amount, to which she replied “431,854.”

Since IDEA does not have regular funding for development projects, Blackburn asked if it has to go to the court when it needs money. Patton said the authority can borrow on its own and use project land as needed and all revenue and money is exempt from taxation.

After going into executive session to discuss an economic issue, the board returned to approve putting $170,000 into leasing and renovating a building owned by May Properties at Lanks Branch in Pikeville.

The money will go to make improvements required by the company, Baird said, and if they don’t locate in Pike, they will reimburse the board.

The board agreed to start meeting monthly again, designating the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. in the Judge-Executive’s meeting room, with the next one being Aug. 12.

Fiscal Court Clerk Rose Farley agreed to send out memos regarding the next meeting, as she took minutes for IDEA.