Mathews County officials and members of the county Economic Development Authority on Aug. 28 described ongoing efforts to recruit new businesses, support existing firms and increase the visibility of commercial properties — while identifying water, broadband and a limited local labor force as the major obstacles.

The EDA presentation to the Mathews County Board of Supervisors focused on three near-term priorities: attract businesses through targeted property listings and marketing, support local firms with loans and grants, and pursue larger infrastructure projects such as public water to enable commercial and residential development. "We think what we wanna do is is attract new businesses into Matthews County because we are at 8,400 people now and our county needs more people," the EDA presenter said. He added that the EDA also aims to assist existing small businesses, noting recent site visits with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and local firms.

Why it matters: Board members and EDA members said expanding the business base is necessary to sustain county services and local jobs. Several participants linked the EDA's ability to recruit and retain businesses to the availability of municipal water, broadband service and a reliable local workforce.

Most important details

- Website and marketing: The EDA showed a mock-up of a new standalone EDA website intended to list available commercial properties, link to VirginiaScan and provide a single-access portal for site selectors and property owners. The website presenter, Mariah, described the design as a phased rollout that will initially include property listings, links to incentives and a contact form; the site was described as ready to deploy and was expected to go live in “probably a week or 2.” Mariah said the site will include an interactive map and the option to download or submit application forms online.

- Business outreach and assistance: The EDA said it has used site visits and partnerships to support firms including Mind Blown LLC (a plant-based seafood manufacturer) and Ocean Products Research (OPR). The authority described recent connections between OPR leadership and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership that led to international marketing opportunities. The EDA also reported having approved a grant last year for a hatchery floating dock and said it recently made what officials described as the EDA’s first commercial loan.

- Financing mechanism: EDA members explained that many of the authority’s grant funds come from conduit bond activity, not direct use of county tax dollars. A presenter said conduit issuance allows a locality to be a bond conduit so that a portion of interest on financed projects returns to the EDA and funds future grants.

- Properties and potential EDA-held land: The EDA discussed county-owned property in the Cardinal area and recommended the Board consider options to transfer, lease or sell the parcel to the EDA to make negotiations with prospective businesses easier. The presenter said transferring a property to the EDA could increase the authority’s ability to offer inducements or revenue-sharing arrangements to attract tenants.

- Tourism and waterfront assets: Several supervisors and EDA members urged follow-up with the family-owned Islander Hotel, which speakers said has recently painted the property and may be preparing to reopen. Members also renewed calls to advance work on Haven Beach parking and access; a figure of $175,000 was mentioned in relation to previously discussed funds for the parking lot. Participants noted Army Corps of Engineers and wetland rules will factor into any expansion or dredging work.

- Short-term rentals and tax compliance: The county has issued 74 business licenses related to short-term rentals, a commissioner said; a private spreadsheet compiled by a resident previously listed about 117 online vacation rental listings. EDA and board members said they lack a definitive public list from hosting platforms and discussed the revenue implications. One board member said annual remittances from platforms have been near $180,000 in recent budgets.

- Infrastructure and workforce constraints: Speakers repeatedly identified municipal water and broadband as prerequisites for larger commercial growth on Main Street and for recruiting medical or light-industrial tenants. Several members said the county lacks a sufficiently large labor pool to support many prospective employers and noted regional workforce-development resources such as the Small Business Administration and RCC workforce programs.

Discussion, direction and next steps

The Board and EDA agreed to schedule regular joint updates; members discussed quarterly or biannual joint meetings and settled on preparing dates for a spring or late-January session to introduce any newly seated board members. The EDA said it will proceed with the website launch, continue site visits and follow up with the Islander Hotel and Haven Beach stakeholders. The authority also asked the Board to consider whether transferring specific county-owned parcels to the EDA would aid negotiations with prospective businesses.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of the meeting agenda: motion and second taken; presiding officer announced "Aye" and the motion carried.

- Approval of EDA meeting minutes (distributed electronically): motion to approve by Sandy; seconded; the presiding officer announced "Aye" and the motion carried.

- Adjournment: motion and second taken; the presiding officer announced "Aye" and the meeting was adjourned.

Ending

EDA members said they will circulate proposed joint meeting dates and follow up on the website deployment, the Cardinal parcel options and outreach to the Islander property. Several board members also urged the EDA to coordinate communications so residents better understand the EDA’s grants and conduit-bond-funded activities.