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9 <br />DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLAR CLUSTER IN ORANGE COUNTY April 13, 2009 <br />Orange County Economic Development Commission <br />While Orange County has several challenges for business recruitment, it also has <br />numerous features that make it a desirable business location. The County's location with <br />respect to major transportation is exceptional -there is neaz immediate access to both a <br />north-south interstate highway (I-85) and an east-west interstate highway (I-40). The <br />outstanding quality of life of the region is well-known and includes a superior public <br />school system, low crime rate, desirable climate, and skilled work force. Orange County <br />has the good fortune to be able to reap the benefits of both a highly regarded community <br />college presence and numerous research universities. Additionally, our location puts us <br />in close proximity to the resources available from the Reseazch Triangle Park. <br />While the recent nationwide economic downturn has provided unexpected <br />roadblocks for economic development, there is also great opportunity to utilize the <br />windfalls provided by the economic downturn. The economic crisis has produced several <br />one time-only funding opportunities. The proposed strategy minimizes the risk of <br />business development to the extent practicable, encourages growth in new industries, and <br />takes advantage of the unique government recovery funding opportunities. <br />Within these parameters, a plan to identify an industry sector that would be <br />acceptable to the community, provide local job opportunities, and have the potential for <br />growth given the current economic and regulatory environment, has been drafted, and is <br />presented here. <br />Identification of Industry Sector <br />Development of the proposed strategy has focused on <br />an industry that will satisfy Orange County's need for business <br />expansion, local citizenry concerns and meeting additional <br />For EDC use only <br />~~I'd put my money on <br />the sun and solar energy. <br />What a source of power! <br />I hope we don't have to <br />wait till [sic] oil and coal <br />run out before we tackle <br />that." Thomas Edison. <br />