EDA 5

For years and intensely, the last few months, Loudon County commission has worked diligently to reach a better agreement to participate in the management and funding of the Loudon County Economic Development Agency, the EDA. Thus far, no changes have been reached in the interlocal agreement with Lenoir City and the City of Loudon.

Currently, Loudon County pays 68.8%, Loudon City pays 15.3% and Lenoir City pays 13.9% with 1.9% coming from the Committee of 100 to fund the EDA. In dollar amounts that comes to;

Loudon County paying-$177,174.00
Loudon City paying-$39,345.00
Lenoir City paying-$35,744.00
Committee of 100-$4,886.00

Total contributions- $257,148.00

In June of this year, the county gave notice that they would be withdrawing from all funding and participation in the EDA in two years unless changes were made to the current interlocal agreement. A committee was formed with representatives from the county, Loudon and Lenoir City to work on the agreement. No changes were achieved.

Last month, the county passed a "resolution of expectations" to forward to the EDA to be applied over the two year exit period. No improvements were made.

At tonight's county commission meeting, I will present a resolution to suspend all payments and funding to the EDA immediately until such time vast improvements are made in the interlocal agreement between the stakeholders. Below is that resolution.

Where as, Loudon County has been a stakeholder in directing and funding the Loudon County Economic Development Agency since 2008 and,

Where as, Loudon County has been the primary funding body to the Loudon County Economic Development Agency since the 2008 interlocal agreement was adopted, providing nearly 70% of all funding to that organization and,

Where as, over the preceding fifteen years, many changes have taken place in Loudon County rendering the Loudon County Economic Development Agency a near obsolete and unnecessary body, not worthy of the level of Loudon County tax payer funds currently being contributed to the Loudon County Economic Development Agency, $177,174.00 in 2023, $1,500,000 since 2016, and,

Where as, not only does Loudon County commission feel that county residents are not receiving any benefits from the funds contributed to the Loudon County Economic Development Agency, it has now become obvious that the Loudon County Economic Development Agency’s practices and policies are injurious to the county’s welfare and policies and,  

Where as, Loudon County commission has tried diligently to work with the other stakeholders, Lenoir City and the City of Loudon, for several years to reach a more amicable interlocal agreement on board membership and funding, but to no avail,

Now therefore, be resolved that, Loudon County commission will immediately suspend any further payments or contributions to the Loudon County Economic Development Agency until such time a new interlocal agreement can be reached, with all stakeholders, that would be beneficial to the residents of Loudon County and the leadership of Loudon County Economic Development Agency changes or recognizes Loudon County commission as an equal member with considerations in any Loudon County Economic Development Agency decisions, proposals and actions.

The health, welfare and safety of the residents of Loudon County demand it.

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12/4/23