Artisan cheese was a topic on conversation when the Botetourt Economic Development Authority (EDA) met last Thursday afternoon in Fincastle.

While the main purpose for the meeting was to get an update on the new Colonial Elementary School, to approve an incentive payment to Eldor USA, and closed session discussions about possible new or expanding industries, two agriculture initiatives brought nods of approval from the EDA members.

Economic Development Director Ken McFadyen told the members the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) asked the county to participate in a dairy study with several other counties to see if there is sufficient source milk to consider a processing facility for something like artisan cheese.

Artisan cheese generally refers to cheeses produced by hand using the traditional craftsmanship of skilled cheese makers. As a result, the cheeses are often more complex in taste and variety.

It could be an indirect path to sustainable agriculture, Larrowe said.

At one time, Botetourt had several dozen dairies, but all but a few have closed over the years, and now there is only a handful.

McFadyen told the EDA the VDACS staff also wants to tour of agriculture in Botetourt. That’s likely to happen the end of October.

He said that tour is a way of providing local producers with information about the marketing opportunities the agency has available.

McFadyen also told the EDA that the Botetourt Farmers Market has asked the county to help fund a paid market manager.

Since it was formed, the Farmers Market has used volunteer managers.

McFadyen said it’s a way for the county to lend support. The market officials have asked for $5,000 for a part-time manager’s salary. The county has funds set aside in the current budget for agriculture support.

EDA members approved a $500,000 incentive payment to Eldor for meeting its goals to get a certificate of occupancy. Larrowe said the company that’s located in Botetourt Center at Greenfield said its officials have been “really pleased with the employment pool.” He said last week the company had 86 employees and expects to have 120 by November 1.

Larrowe said the average production staring pay is $16 per hour. The average management position is $80,000 a year.

The EDA members also got to see the videos that the county will be airing on Comcast beginning this week.

The two videos that will be running and will be available on the county website are about Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC) and Lawrence Companies.

The county is working on videos about Arkay Packaging, Ballast Point Brewery and Eldor.

The county is also providing video help to the Jeter Farm’s Fall Festival, and has offered it to the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival.

McFadyen said it’s a resource the county can offer to help the community.

Larrowe said the BTEC and other videos will also be available to schoolteachers to show what Botetourt has to offer.

McFadyen said the county will also be listing the former Virginia Forge Company plant in Buchanan as an available industrial building.

The county has not been involved in promoting the site since Virginia Forge announced it was shutting down two years ago.

McFadyen said state economic development officials want to look at the building, too.

The EDA also voted to accept the Avery Row property near Bonsack from the School Board. The property will be marketed again for industrial development.