BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Playback58@gmail.com

WINDSOR—The Windsor Town Council on Monday and the Isle of Wight County supervisors on Monday discussed attracting businesses to the Shirley T. Holland Intermodal Park on Route 460.

“There’s a lot of competition for business and industry, which is really the motivation for this gathering,” said Windsor Mayor Carita Richardson. “I feel very positive about Isle of Wight. We’ll do great things here.”

Lisa Perry, director of economic development for the county, said that a marketing plan is developed each year.

“(We) try to get in front of as many people as possible,” Perry said. “You do anything you can to get the decision-makers’ attention.”

Help also comes from the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance.

Perry compared the process to speed dating.

“It’s not enough to see someone once,” she said. “You’ve to get back in front.”

Councilwoman Patty Fleming asked how the town could partner with the county.

“A certain amount of optimism helps,” said Supervisor Chairman Al Casteen. “We’re always chasing the next deal. When’s the next Green Mountain Coffee Roasters? It’s hard to forecast.”

He encouraged the council to keep the board updated. “Communication is extremely important,” Richardson said. “We’ll keep the board informed. I’ll continue coming to meetings.”

The mayor said she also wants to foster closer ties with the state, as well as consider adopting a resolution for development.