BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Economic Development Authority welcomed a new director and said goodbye to two board members last week.
Chairman James Ayers and board members Kayla Jude, Ashley Endicott and Brad Pack attended the monthly meeting Jan. 18 in the Martin County Government Center.
Ayers welcomed new director Carolea Mills, who also serves as Martin County’s deputy judge/executive after being appointed to both positions Jan. 2 by Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty.
“I know, Carolea, that I’m speaking for the entire board when I say that we’re excited and thankful that you are in this role,” Ayers said.
“Carolea’s record in this domain really precedes her,” he advised board members. “In her tenure 20 years ago, she secured millions of dollars in grants and also led in the construction of the community center.”
Ayers mentioned Mills graduated from Eastern Kentucky University and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. She served as EDA director during Lafferty’s first term from 1999-2003.
“I’m excited and confident that the vision we all share, to create an environment that is conducive to business and jobs, that vision is going to be fulfilled under her leadership,” declared Ayers before inviting Mills to speak.
Mills thanked Ayers and the board.
“I look forward to working with everyone,” she stated. “Martin County is my hometown, and I enjoy being a part of the economic development process through community development, through tourism and certainly in business. I look forward to having a great four years with you guys.”
Terms end for Mueller and Jude
Ayers detailed the term dates of each EDA board member, saying his and Brad Pack’s terms expire January 2025, Ashley Endicott and Michael Crum’s terms expire January 2024, and Lee Mueller and Kayla Jude’s terms expire January 2023.
The chairman confirmed that Crum had resigned before the November 2022 meeting.
“The members will serve until their successors are named,” said Ayers.
Jude, waving to the audience, said, “Goodbye.”
“I wanted to take this opportunity, if, in fact, the appointment is done prior to the February meeting, to recognize both Kayla and Lee,” said Ayers. “I called for Lee. I regret that Lee’s not here so I can brag on him tonight. Anyway, Kayla, in case this is our last meeting together, thank you.”
Ayers explained that when he came on the board in 2021, half the board resigned during the first meeting.
“That was an interesting time period,” commented the chairman. “Had it not been for Kayla stepping up and doing what she did during that timeframe, which was three months, we would have really been in a crisis. She really benefited this county and this authority by her actions during that time.”
Turning to Jude, he added, “I’ll always be grateful for how much you did during that time.”
Ayers presented Jude with a certificate of appreciation.
Jude hugged Ayers.
“I love you guys, and I love Martin County,” Jude said. “That’s why I do this.”
Ayers held up a second certificate and said it was for Mueller.
Neither Jude nor Mueller were included in the three EDA board appointments that Judge Lafferty submitted Thursday to the Martin County Fiscal Court. Those were Mike Sweeney, Ryan Wilson and Eddie Lee Howell.
TEK Center enrollment extended
Ayers announced TEK Center, the new industrial training center that occupies the first floor of the Martin County Business Center in Inez, had extended enrollment to July. He said Angie Reynolds plans to attend different rotaries and would speak at Thursday’s Kiwanis luncheon at Shufflin Café.
Boxvana bankruptcy
The board conducted an executive session to discuss “Boxvana,” the tiny home manufacturer that leases the EDA speculative building at 354 Honey Branch Industrial Park in Debord.
Upon returning, Ayers said, “No action was taken.”
The chairman added that Boxvana was still in bankruptcy, and a court hearing was scheduled for mid-February.
Boxvana evaded eviction for nonpayment of its lease with the EDA in August 2022 by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy days after the EDA filed eviction proceedings.
According to EDA board members, Boxvana did not pay rent in 2022.
Although the EDA asserted in its eviction filing that Boxvana owed $192,213 in past-due rent, the EDA’s proof of claim in the bankruptcy was for $108,854 based on the original lease.
Part of Boxvana’s tentative plan in the bankruptcy was to seek a lease amendment to have more time to shut down. In October 2022, the EDA announced it would not enter into an amended lease.
Boxvana leased the space July 16, 2020, for $5,729.17 per month, with the first month’s rent due Feb. 1, 2021. The monthly rent increased to $11,458.33 beginning Feb. 1, 2022.
As part of the lease, Boxvana agreed to create and retain 60 new full-time jobs by Feb. 1, 2021, and another 110 by Feb. 1, 2022. The lease stipulated that if Boxvana failed to meet the benchmarks, the company would pay an additional $68,749 in rent for that respective year in six equal monthly payments. According to EDA records, Boxvana did not meet either benchmark.