Business as Usual
Attendees of the Edmonton Metcalfe Industrial Development Authority meeting from left clockwise: Luke Wilson, Chairperson Lisa Boswell, Mayor Doug Smith, Secretary/Treasurer Alley Bragg, Jerry Garmon, Matt Gallagher, and with back to camera is Terry Garrett. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Edmonton-Metcalfe Industrial Development Authority (IDA) held its November meeting on Monday, November 17.
The following members were present: Chairperson Lisa Boswell, Terry Garrett, Jerry Garmon, Matt Gallagher, Luke Wilson, and others in attendance were Secretary/Treasurer Alley Bragg, Mayor Doug Smith, and PJ Martin from The Herald-News.
Absent were Donna Caffee and Judge/Executive Larry Wilson.
Chairperson Boswell opened the meeting and declared a quorum present.
The minutes from the regular October 20th meeting were approved with no corrections after motions by Garrett and Garmon.
Boswell turned the meeting over to Bragg for the financial report. “Okay, we’ll start with on October the 28th, we had a deposit from Pennington Stave Company for $6866 75, on October the 31st. We added the ESB interest of $1.23 on November the 13th. We had a payment from Pennington Stave Company for $6,866.75, and then we are going to pay the ESB loan amount of $,866.79 and that will leave us with $14,890.45.”
Chairperson Boswell asked for a motion to approve the financial report, and the motion was made by Gallagher, seconded by Garrett, and approved.
“Under other business, all of the paperwork has been submitted for the RDAPP money,” stated Boswell, who was asked the amount.
Treasurer Bragg replied, “I don’t know the exact amount, but it should be about $153,000 for each year.”
Boswell stated, “That will give us some cushion…It’s going toward the note.”
The idea to pay almost all of the money received on the ESB note and hold back enough to pay a couple of ESB payments, just in case, was discussed. However, Mayor Smith pointed out that the money can only be used for economic development and paying part of it on the note and holding some in the account to cover a couple of payments, if missed, may not be allowed.
After a short discussion, everyone came around to understanding the same. Boswell said, “I will contact the guy that’s over RDAPP. I will find out.”
The discussion turned to the need for a grocery store in Edmonton, and everyone agreed.
“Well, the reality is next week, and starting December 1, most people will go out of the county to buy all of their groceries…I mean, you cannot buy a Thanksgiving dinner… we can’t purchase it here,” said Boswell.
Mayor Smith added, “…you know your grocery stores are a cornerstone. To have a good grocery store is to have a community.”
The motion was then made to adjourn.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Edmonton City Hall.
