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As construction winds down on Phase 2 of Burr Business Park, the first tenant in this section of the Park is ramping up construction of their new facility. Avalanche Services, a printing company, has commenced the site work for a 20,000 square foot brick and block facility on Lot 24. This is a new building for this successful local company, which has been a tenant in Burr Park for a number of years.
 Apple Valley Waste has purchased Lot 26, and several other companies are seriously considering other lots as a location for their companies.
Construction on the infrastructure of the Park is also nearing completion, with only the final wearing course of asphalt left to be done in the Spring of 2009.
To see full details about the amenities in the Burr Business Park please click here.
I was invited by the International Division of the West Virginia Development Office to attend and participate in the International Manufacturing Technology Show at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago in September. This huge show, held every two years, attracts technology based manufacturers from around the world. Attendance at the 2008 show approached 100,000 people and filled the 2.5 million square foot convention center. Eight state and local economic developers worked the show. Follow up with interested companies is ongoing.
At this time the Jefferson County Development Authority is taking an active role in protesting the MARC commuter train and ticketing procedure changes. To see a copy of the proposed changes and for information on where to send your comments by December 26th, please click here.
We would appreciate reader feedback, so please let us know if you have information we could include in future issues or topics you would like for us to cover.
Jane K. Peters, CEcD
The Jefferson County Development Authority Board and staff have played an active role in protesting changes proposed by the Maryland Department of Transportation to several MARC Commuter trains and ticketing procedures.
The Development Authority’s letter and verbal comments at the Martinsburg Public hearing are below:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County (WV) Development Authority, I would like to express to you our deep concern about the proposed cancellation on MARC Brunswick Line train 871. The elimination of this train has the potential to seriously and negatively impact riders from the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia in the following ways:
It removes the flexibility to use AWS and Maxi Flex schedules offered by employers;
It restricts the ability of West Virginia commuters to leave on early dismissal in bad weather;
It restricts commuters from participating in family activities due to the late arrival of Train 873. In households with both parents working, train 871 provides an opportunity for one parent to get home as school is dismissed or to pick up children from day care. There are quite a number of families riding the train with one parent taking an early train from Brunswick and returning on the 871, and a second parent getting kids to school or day care and riding a later train and returning on the 879 or 883.
In addition, we are concerned about plans to terminate Train 883 service in Brunswick instead of Martinsburg. In addition to increasing automobile traffic to and from Brunswick, it creates problems for many riders of 883 who work a standard day, 9-5, but are unable to catch the 5:35 because their place of work is not adjacent to Union Station. A possible compromise would be to have the second train to WV depart at 6 or 6:15 pm.
The proposed changes to the ticketing structure also have negative ramifications for many more West Virginia riders. It will increase the cost to ride the train for those who are on AWS, Maxi Flex, 4 ten hour days or any 80 schedules as it forces them to pay for train trips they will not be using. The ten-trip tickets also are used by telecommuters and provide their alternative to the reduced rate weekly and monthly tickets.
We hope that you will consider our concerns and those of our residents before a final decision on these issues is made. Thank you for your consideration.
By Olga Sokolova
Aqua Bella Designs, LLC is a 3.5 year old company founded by three partners: Olga Sokolova (Russian-American, president, civil engineer, degreed interior designer), Henk Sterenberg (American-Dutch, civil engineer) and Michael Yeomans (landscape architect). The company sells nation-wide wholesale fountain basin kits – AquaBox® and different types of fountain features. AquaBox® is a very popular item for disappearing fountains. With business growing, they are expanding their line to include another size and shape of AquaBox® for 2009, which will be more affordable for an average landscaping business.
Aqua Bella Designs, LLC recently participated in the Extreme Makeover TV program in Fayetteville, PA where Henk and Olga personally installed a donated complete fountain for the chosen family. Ms. Sokolova expressed her happiness that they could participate in such a wonderful experience and worthwhile project. Please see the attached pictures. This project will be shown on TV in January of 2009. The company also participated twice in the Curb Appeal HGTV program.
They continue to support Montgomery College, Rockville MD every year at MANTS trade show in Baltimore by supplying a fountain set and helping with the design and installation for the show. An example of their work in Jefferson County can be found at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown.
TO CONTACT:
Aqua Bella Designs
www.aquabelladesigns.com
Office: 800-617-5565
Fax: 304-724-2223 
 
By Kellie Boles
 The Jefferson County Development Authority’s Agriculture Development Officer, Kellie Boles participated in the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, NC in November with two local producers. The Southern Christmas Show is a ten day holiday show with six acres of holiday crafts, gifts, decorations, food and art. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture operates a “Country Store” at the annual show to display and sell WV agricultural products. This year, the retail outlet included Mexican style salsa from Cocina Rivas and popcorn on the cob from Round Oak Farm.
Cocina Rivas is a family business that produces authentic Mexican style salsas and hot sauces, as well as, fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, tomales, gorditas, fruit and vegetable juices, and tortilla chips. Products are sold primarily at local farmers markets, events and festivals. Started in Shepherdstown WV, in 2004, Cocina Rivas has been providing the local Jefferson County population and visiting tourists with high quality Mexican food products.
Cocina Rivas brings the lively, distinct tastes of a traditional Mexican kitchen. All products are made according to original old country recipes and produced using carefully chosen high quality, all natural ingredients. Whenever possible, Cocina Rivas purchases locally grown ingredients from farms in and around Jefferson County. With Mexican food growing in popularity and salsa becoming more and more a popular side and condiment, Cocina Rivas found a lively market in Charlotte, NC.
Bob and Nancy Tabb operate Town and Country Nursery at Round Oak Farm in Kearneysville, WV. The Tabb’s continue to diversify the farming operation which consists of a nursery, a seasonal corn maze and pumpkin patch, and cut your own Christmas trees. This year Bob planted a crop of Edamame, edible soybean, and expanded the popcorn planting.
Round Oak Farm experienced much success this year with locally grown popcorn. Bob is still busy drying the 2008 popcorn crop, but was able to dry enough product by the middle of November to be included in the Southern Christmas Show. Even after sending a second shipment of popcorn to Charlotte, NC, Round Oak Farm popcorn sold out! The popcorn is packaged three ears to a bag with husk on and four ears to a bag husk removed and makes a great gift. Round Oak Farm popcorn offers a safer, preservative free option to a common snack.
By Beverly Bolger
 BizTech in Jefferson County has joined the ranks of supporting new entrepreneurial endeavors and recently established businesses operating in their first years by working toward a business incubator certification through the National Business Incubator Association. The center has expanded its services beyond bricks and mortar, into Berkeley and Morgan County through a Virtual Office Program. BizTech's partnership with the Small Business Development Center in Martinsburg has created a new program that requires commitment and drive from participants. The program is developed to help business owners with business plans, marketing, accounting, networking, and more. The program offers mentoring; business resources and services that will contribute to business owners abilities to establish sustainable and efficient business operations. To inquire about the business incubator program and application, contact Bev Bolger at BizTech; 304.728.3051 x252.
Business Incubators Can Help in a Sluggish Economy
The first documented business incubators started inconspicuously in the late 1950’s and early 1960's in the Mid-Atlantic States. The service of providing support to new start ups in shared space did not catch on until the late 1970s. In Batavia, NY-the Batavia Industrial Center opened its doors in 1959. The center had once been an old Massey-Ferguson farm, implement manufacturing plant.
In 1957 the plant shut down leaving nearly 2000 people unemployed. Local residents, the Mancusos family, who were involved in retail, purchased the 850,000 square foot factory. The Mancusos intended to lease the space for retail businesses, but this did not work out. Joe Mancuso decided dividing up the building to nurture small companies would be another option of leasing and helping the sluggish economy.
During this period there was little economic development activity and state or federal assistance was scarce. The Mancusos helped tenant companies raise capital and establish a "shared operation" where companies were supported by same resources and services. The business incubation concept also caught on in the field of science. Academic consortiums evolved and utilized institutional resources to research and resolve community and farming challenges. University City Science Center-NY, created one of the first urban research parks in 1964.
Many different types of incubators have since been developed; food, art, technical, bio-science and more. Prior business incubator pioneers have proven that by incorporating incubators into the community, they have a valuable impact on the economy. Business incubators help nurture new local businesses in the community which helps to foster growth in the economy. Business incubators also help create jobs, limit start-up business risks and develop strong entrepreneurial climates, as well as contribute to the overall tax base.
There are approximately 1400 business incubators in North America, located in inter-cities to rural or remote areas. Many of the incubators established have evolved and help create business opportunities and innovative ideas that otherwise would not be given a chance to grow.
 The Jefferson County Public Service District has moved to a new location in the Burr Business Park, 304 Edmond Road, Suite A - Kearneysville, WV 25430.
The 911 Center moves into new building in the Burr Industrial Park on Industrial Boulevard.
The new Jefferson County Sheriff's building is complete. They are now located in the Burr Industrial Park on Industrial Boulevard.
A new McDonald's and a new Chik-Fil-A are currently being built in the center known as The Boulevard near Rite Aid (now open) and Bob Evans.
The new IHOP is open in the Jefferson Crossing shopping center behind Applebee's.
The new grocery store, ALDI has opened on Route 340 in Charles Town.
Ranson has a new place to eat called Ranson Grill. Breakfast is served everyday from 7am - 11am with lunch and dinner served from 11am - 8pm. They are located at 404 North Mildred Street - Ranson, WV 25438.
Downtown Charles Town has a new restaurant called Dish. Located at 213 West Washington Street - Charles Town, WV 25414, Dish uses fresh, local ingredients and has a casually elegant setting. www.wvdish.com
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