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Northumberland County Economic Development Commission
Meeting: August 18, 2026
6:00 – 8:00 PM
1. Opening of Meeting / Call to Order
The meeting was called to order. A quorum was present.
2. Agenda Review
Commissioners reviewed the meeting agenda. A motion was made and seconded to amend the agenda to add a Festival Hall Update as the first item following Agenda Review. Vote: Approved unanimously.
3. Festival Hall Update
Presenters: Leanne Scanlon, Mary Katherine Hall, Larry F.
Representatives of the Greater Reedville Association provided an overview of Festival Hall and the Reedville Fishermen's Museum, including the building's history, renovation efforts, current operations, and future plans.
i. Festival Hall was constructed in 1909 as Reedville High School and later served as an elementary school.
ii. The building was acquired by the Burkle family in the mid-2000s and subsequently donated to the Greater Reedville Association.
iii. Festival Hall operated as a community and event center until 2022, when structural deterioration required the building to close.
iv. A fundraising campaign was initiated in 2023 with a goal of approximately $750,000 for renovations.
v. Phase I addressed structural and flooring improvements.
vi. Phase II included wall restoration, painting, windows, and ceiling improvements.
vii. Phase III is focused on development of a caterer's kitchen to support catering and events.
viii. Phase IV will focus on exterior improvements, landscaping, painting, signage, and an ADA- compliant front entrance ramp.
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ix. Commissioners discussed economic development opportunities associated with Festival Hall, including community events, culinary training, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and potential food-service incubation.
x. Commissioners discussed possible partnerships with local schools and organizations for culinary and vocational training.
xi. Commissioners also discussed potential fundraising events, including food-related events and food-truck activities.
4. Approval of June 2026 Meeting Minutes
Commissioners reviewed the minutes from the June 16, 2026 meeting. No meeting was held in July.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the June meeting minutes.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
5. Commissioner's Corner
a. District 1 – No report.
b. District 2 – Vacant.
c. District 3 – Commissioner raised an inquiry regarding the former school property in Lottsburg. The County is evaluating demolition options. An asbestos study has been completed and the modular buildings behind the property have been removed. Commissioners discussed the possibility of a potential buyer expressing interest before demolition occurs.
d. District 4 – Commissioners reported continued activity involving new businesses and construction, including a new building associated with a landscaping and lawn-supply business.
e. District 5 – No additional report.
6. Executive Director's Report
a. Poor House Tract
i. The Executive Director reported continued coordination with the County Administrator regarding the Poor House Tract and the response requested by the Board of Supervisors.
ii. Commissioners discussed uncertainty regarding whether the Board expects three specific development options or broader development categories.
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iii. Commissioners agreed that additional clarification from individual Board of Supervisors members would be beneficial.
iv. Commissioners discussed meeting individually with their respective supervisors to identify priorities and areas of common interest.
v. The Executive Director emphasized that additional Board direction is needed before further detailed analysis is undertaken.
b. Virginia 250 Mobile Museum / Micro-Internship
i. The Executive Director reported successful completion of the first Parker Dewey/VEDP micro-intern project related to the Virginia 250 Mobile Museum.
ii. The intern completed a museum requirements brief, county site-affiliation matrix, review of potential host locations, and memorandum identifying recommendations.
iii. The three leading potential sites identified were:
1. Northumberland High School parking area;
2. Food Lion parking area in Heathsville; and
3. Bethany Baptist Church.
iv. Additional site evaluation will be required, including consideration of pavement strength, accessibility, lighting, security, restroom access, and other logistical requirements.
v. The Executive Director will explore Northumberland High School's interest in participating in a cooperative application.
c. Future Micro-Internship – Grant Research
i. The Executive Director reported that another micro-internship is being considered for September to research economic development grant opportunities.
ii. The project will build upon grant research previously completed by the EDC.
d. Strategic Plan Update
i. The Executive Director reported that the Strategic Plan is being revised to align with the County's 2022 Comprehensive Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, Northern Neck Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, VEDP survey feedback, and Board of Supervisors priorities.
ii. Portions of the revised plan will be provided to commissioners approximately every three weeks for review.
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iii. The goal is to complete a final draft by the end of October, followed by an outside working session for final review and revisions.
iv. The proposed theme for the updated plan is “Where Heritage Meets Horizon.”
e. Community Growth Survey
i. The Community Growth Survey has been incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan process.
ii. Commissioners were encouraged to direct residents and stakeholders to the survey to continue collecting community feedback.
f. AJGA Tournament
i. The Executive Director reported that the recent AJGA tournament was successful, with increased vendor participation and four Northumberland County High School golfers participating.
ii. Commissioners discussed the economic impact of the tournament, including hotel room nights and visitor spending.
iii. The AJGA will provide additional lodging and economic activity data.
iv. The County's QR code and Northumberland County information were included on the tournament website.
g. Reedville Market
i. The Executive Director reported that Reedville Market was expected to open August 28, subject to completion of point-of-sale system updates.
ii. Kitchen and waitstaff positions had been filled.
h. Callao Community Park / Grant Resource Guide
i. The Executive Director reported meeting with representatives of the Callao community regarding the park project and potential grant funding.
ii. A general grant-resource document was developed that may also be used by other businesses and community organizations.
iii. Commissioners recommended correcting the terminology in the document to identify the Economic Development Commission.
iv. The Executive Director will make the revisions and provide the document to Callao representatives.
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7. County Administrator's Corner
a. Agenda and Voting Requirements
The County Administrator provided a procedural update regarding agenda requirements. Matters requiring Commission action must be placed on the agenda in advance. Items may be discussed but formal action cannot be taken unless properly placed on the agenda.
b. Enterprise Zone / Opportunity Zone
The Enterprise Zone report and Opportunity Zone survey have been completed and submitted.
c. Little Wicomico River Dredging Project
The County Administrator reported that the Little Wicomico River dredging project received VMRC approval in June. The County is working with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding remaining issues and final permitting.
d. County Property Review
The Board of Supervisors is considering a broader review of County-owned properties, including which properties should be retained, developed, or potentially offered for sale. Commissioners noted that the review could affect future discussions regarding the Poor House Tract.
e. DHCD Housing Grant
County staff continue working with the Department of Housing and Community Development regarding the housing grant. The County has received a project contact from DHCD and is working through additional information required to move the project forward.
8. Current Business
a. Poor House Tract – Timeline and Board Direction
i. Commissioners expressed concern regarding the project timeline and the potential impact of continued delays on the FY2027 budget process.
ii. Commissioners emphasized the importance of obtaining Board direction so that a decision and preliminary plan can be developed in time for the upcoming budget cycle.
iii. Commissioners agreed to contact individual Board of Supervisors members before the September EDC meeting to determine their priorities.
iv. Commissioners discussed the possibility of an additional or special meeting if necessary. 5
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b. Strategic Plan Priorities
i. Commissioners discussed the need to identify the highest-priority elements of the Strategic Plan rather than attempting to advance all initiatives simultaneously.
ii. Members expressed particular interest in workforce development, skilled trades, youth retention, internships/work-based learning, and connecting local students with employment.
iii. Commissioners discussed trade education, licensing, apprenticeships, and other career pathways as alternatives to four-year college programs.
c. Workforce Development / Skilled Trades
i. Commissioners discussed previous efforts involving the Northern Neck Technical Center and barriers that may prevent students from completing certification or licensing requirements.
ii. Discussion included licensing fees and other costs that may prevent students from entering the workforce.
iii. Commissioners discussed possible financial assistance, scholarships, and partnerships with schools and guidance counselors.
iv. Commissioners also discussed connecting students with existing workforce programs and resources.
9. New Business
a. Senior Living / Healthcare Services
i. Commissioners discussed the need for additional senior living and healthcare services within Northumberland County.
ii. Members discussed the issue as part of a broader retirement-community model rather than solely as a nursing-home project.
iii. Potential components included senior living, urgent care, triage and healthcare services, in-home healthcare, workforce requirements, and infrastructure needs.
iv. Commissioners noted that water and sewer capacity may be a significant factor in attracting healthcare or senior-living facilities.
b. Workforce and Youth Retention
i. Commissioners continued discussion regarding workforce challenges and retaining young people in the community.
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ii. Discussion included trade education, work-based learning, internships, and connections between local businesses and students.
iii. Members agreed that the Commission should move toward implementation and identify specific actions for the coming year.
10. Citizen Engagement
A citizen/business owner provided an update regarding plans to open Reedville Coffee House and expressed interest in supporting additional business activity in the community.
i. The business owner discussed plans to offer coffee-roasting lessons and potential educational opportunities.
ii. Commissioners welcomed the new business and discussed the importance of increasing the number of operating businesses within the County.
iii. Additional citizen discussion included a possible renovation or redevelopment of the former movie theater in Callao.
iv. Discussion also included a new commercial operation being developed in the Lottsburg area involving construction and aggregate-related products.
11. Action Items
a. Commissioners will meet individually with their respective Board of Supervisors representatives to obtain direction regarding Poor House Tract development priorities.
b. Executive Director will continue coordinating with County Administration regarding the Poor House Tract and project timeline.
c. Commissioners will identify their highest-priority Strategic Plan initiatives for discussion at the September meeting.
d. Executive Director will continue developing the revised Strategic Plan and provide sections to commissioners for periodic review.
e. Executive Director will continue evaluating potential Virginia 250 Mobile Museum sites and contact Northumberland High School regarding potential participation.
f. Executive Director will develop the next micro-internship project focused on economic development grant research.
g. Executive Director will revise the Grant Resource Guide and provide the completed version to Callao Community Park representatives.
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h. Executive Director will obtain additional AJGA tournament statistics, including lodging/room-night information, to evaluate the economic impact of the event.
i. EDC will continue exploring partnership opportunities with Festival Hall involving culinary training, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community events.
j. Commissioners will identify specific workforce and youth-retention actions from the Strategic Plan for implementation.
k. Commissioners will continue exploring opportunities to attract senior-living, healthcare, urgent-care, and in-home healthcare services to Northumberland County.
l. Commissioners will return in September with individual Board of Supervisors feedback and identified Strategic Plan priorities.
12. Adjournment
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:18 p.m.
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