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5 <br /> <br />1 OEnsure the Economic Development District (EDD) infrastructure is in place to support growth <br />2 of this sector; <br />3 <br />4 oContinue supporting DTCC in development of asolar-focused curriculum based on the <br />5 Orange County DTCC campus; <br />6 <br />7 DEnsure that government officials publicly communicate their support for development of a <br />8 solar cluster; and <br />9 <br />10 oSupport solar businesses located in Orange County by utilizing their services as possible in <br />11 government operations. <br />12 <br />13 Thank you for your consideration. <br />14 Sincerely, <br />15 Anita Badrock <br />16 Chair, Economic Development Commission <br />17 Commissioner Gordon said she understood that Carrboro Alderman Randee Haven- <br />18 O'Donnell, a member of the Economic Development Commission, had proposed the idea of the <br />19 solar cluster. Anita Badrock agreed and acknowledged her contributions. <br />20 <br />21 Commissioner Nelson thanked in particular new staff member Dottie Schmitt, who wrote <br />22 the report. He asked about the next steps. Anita Badrock said that the next step would be to <br />23 instruct the Economic Development staff on what questions the Board has and how the County <br />24 Commissioners would like the staff to move forward. <br />25 Commissioner Pelissier said that she was pleased to see this report and it does meet <br />26 the goals of the revised comprehensive plan. She said that in the report, a lot of companies <br />27 that are related to solar power are smaller companies. She asked about the inquiries from <br />28 companies and if they are willing to move to Orange County. <br />29 Economic Development Director Brad Broadwell said that smaller firms in the RTP have <br />30 inquired as well as companies in other areas of the country. <br />31 Commissioner Jacobs said that this report is a good start. He suggested mentioning the <br />32 locations on page nine. He said that this area is pretty much equidistant to the Triad as to RTP. <br />33 He made reference to page two of the report where it talks about, "a vocal community that <br />34 desires to preserve the County's rural character," and he said that this comes across as a <br />35 handicap, and he does not see it as a handicap. He suggested rewording this. He agreed with <br />36 Commissioner Nelson about having more clarity on the next steps <br />37 Commissioner Yuhasz suggested that one way to show support for this proposal is to <br />38 act on suggestions that come forward from the EDC on this issue. He encouraged the EDC to <br />39 bring back suggestions so that the Board can show its support. <br />40 Chair Foushee said that the staff will come back with suggestions. <br />41 <br />42 c. Proclamation Recognizing Clerk to the Board Donna Baker and Declaring <br />43 Mav 3 through Mav 9, 2009 as "County Clerks Week" in Orange County <br />44 The Board considered a proclamation expressing the Orange County Board of <br />45 Commissioners' appreciation to Clerk to the Board Donna Baker for her service to Orange <br />46 County and to declare May 3 through May 9, 2009 as "County Clerks week" in Orange County. <br />47 Chair Foushee said that this was for all of the Clerks in the Clerk's Office. She said that <br />48 the Board was very grateful for the service that it receives from all of the members of the Clerk's <br />49 Office, including David Hunt, Evelyn Cecil, Angela Rockett-Thompson, and Jeannette Jones. <br />50 She asked them all to stand. <br />