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3 <br />• A growing energy demand suggests that additional sources of energy will be required in the <br />future; given the regulatory hurdles of traditional energy sources (coal and nuclear, specifically), <br />renewable energy supply will need to meet this demand. <br />A recent article in the Triangle Business Journal has already brought several inquiries to Economic <br />Development staff about Orange County's solar focus. The current impediment to moving ahead in <br />talking with interested parties remains the short comings in assets available to market Orange County as <br />an expansion venue to manufacturing and research and development operations. <br />We, as the advisory board to the EDC, enthusiastically support an effort to position Orange County as a <br />leading hub for solar growth in North Carolina, the Southeast, and the United States. However, we must <br />move in a timely manner to leverage the assets already available, such as the DTCC curriculum and the <br />UNC grant, and to effectively compete in the marketplace for this type of industry. We recommend that <br />appropriate action be taken now to develop the tools necessary to make Orange County the preferred <br />location for this sector's development. These steps may include: <br />• Decide if incentives will be utilized to recruit potential solar businesses, and if so, what type, and <br />take immediate action to assure their availability; <br />• Ensure the Economic Development District (EDD) infrastructure is in place to support growth of <br />this sector; <br />• Continue supporting DTCC in development of asolar-focused curriculum based on the Orange <br />County DTCC campus; <br />• Ensure that government officials publicly communicate their support for development of a solar <br />cluster; and <br />• Support solar businesses located in Orange County by utilizing their services as possible in <br />government operations. <br />Thank you for your consideration. <br />Sincerely, <br />Anita 8adrock <br />Chair, Economic Development Commission <br />PO Box 1177 • Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br />(919) 245-2325 . FAX: (919) 644-3008 <br />EMAIL: edcmail(a~co.oranae.nc.us • WEB ADDRESS: www.co.orange.nc.us/ecodev <br />