Current thinking would include ALL land zoned as commercial, C-1, C-2, or C-3, within Middleburg.

Eligible businesses would include: artisan or hand-crafted trade center, commercial lodgings (such as B&B's or Inns); restaurants with seating for its patrons; indoor theatres; retail stores; and museums.

A business license tax rebate is currently contemplated as the most appropriate "incentive" such businesses to locate or expand their operations here.

Town Budgets for Economic Development Strategic Plan

On November 4 Middleburg issued a "request for information" from consultants for "development of an economic development strategy and execution plan." Responses from no less than seven consultants are being considered by the Town's Economic Development Committee.

On the basis of the information contained in the consultants' responses and EDC input a formal "Request for Proposals" will be drafted.

The EDC has already expressed its preference that the town hire a consultant who can not only develop a plan, but help the Town execute it.

Town Attorney Resigns

Middleburg Town Attorney Angela Plowman has submitted her resignation, effective December 31, 2016. Plowman succeeded Elizabeth Whiting as Town Attorney in 2012.

Town Administrator Martha Semmes noted, "The Town has been served well by Ms. Plowman's counsel over the almost five years she has been our Town Attorney. We are grateful for her service to the Town and wish her the very best in her future endeavors."

The Town is currently seeking candidates for the job, and according to Town Administrator Martha Semmes, "several attorneys" expressed interest.

The deadline for applications was December 16.

Difficulty Filling Key Appointments

In a late in November memorandum Town Clerk Rhonda North noted that Middleburg needed to fill two vacancies on its Planning Commission and two on its "Go Green" committee. The former had been posted and advertised since April and the latter for a year or more. The Town advertises the vacancies in the Loudoun Times Mirror as well as in the Town's website, regular Friday email "blast," and on its bulletin board.

One problem in attracting candidates, North noted, may be the application process itself. "The one thing that has changed," she noted, "is that ten years ago the Town only asked an applicant to provide a 'letter of interest.'" Now they are asked to also provide a resume' and an explanation of why they want to serve. "The [Town] staff," she said, "is wondering whether this has become too much [to ask of] people [applying] for a volunteer [unpaid] position.

In December, Town Council appointed Debbie Cadenzas to fill an unexpired term on the Middleburg Arts Council and requested the Judge of the Loudoun County Circuit Court to appoint Terence Cooke to the Middleburg Board of Zoning Appeals. Both graciously volunteered to fill slots recently vacated by other active volunteers, in some cases volunteers who have served for years in multiple positions.

Enforcement of New Parking Rules

The Town received no less than six bids from companies eager to provide systems to optimize enforcement of the Middleburg's new time-limit-sign approach to "free parking" downtown.

New software will track whether or not one has parked longer than allowed, tickets issued and fines paid.

Town Clerk North also completed a new agreement with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles that "permits the Town to access DMV vehicle records in order to place a block on any vehicle license renewals or registrations for persons with outstanding parking tickets . . . ."

New Pump Station for the West End

Project Engineer Bob Krallinger of MWH Global has begun the process of developing the final designs for installation of a new, pre-manufactured pump station serving the west end of Middleburg.

Current projections call for completion of a final plan by April, 2017, and the completion of construction no later than February, 2018.