Orange County NC Website
106 <br />3. Earth's ecosystems, of which humans are a part along with <br />other living beings, are interdependent and most stable when <br />they include a diversity of species. Overuse and pollution of the <br />natural environment has implications for maintaining the earth's <br />biodiversity. <br />4. Human needs span physical, economic, environmental, cultural, <br />social, and spiritual dimensions. Human needs can be met <br />equitably, justly, and with dignity without compromising the <br />physical environment. Achieving greater fairness is essential for <br />social stability and the cooperation needed for making large -scale <br />changes within the framework laid out by the first three principles. <br />These global principles are locally relevant because our community is part of a <br />region, part of a continent, and part of a world. Our individual and collective <br />decisions and actions affect the quality of human life and the quality of our natural <br />environment not only in the local community, but also in the world. By <br />understanding these principles and the consequences of continuing to violate <br />them, we establish a common basis for working toward becoming a sustainable <br />community. <br />Sustainability is a theme that runs throughout this Comprehensive Plan. Orange <br />County residents understand the linkages that support a sustainable future. <br />Examples abound: To help preserve rural character, shop at a farmers market to <br />help keep local farms in production. To help pay for schools and services, <br />encourage growth of the non - residential tax base by locating residences close to <br />business and retail centers. Reduce growth in carbon emissions by achieving <br />compact development patterns. We need to use the resources that are available to <br />us today in a manner that protects them for future generations. Following is a <br />summary of the key ideas presented in this Comprehensive Plan that relate <br />directly to the goal of achieving a sustainable future. Refer to each of these Plan <br />Elements for more details. <br />1.3.1 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br />The County has established Economic Development Districts wherein public <br />investment will be focused to stimulate and accommodate development in <br />strategic locations that can be served by transportation systems and public <br />infrastructure, and be convenient to housing opportunities. <br />The County's Economic Development Commission works with local, regional <br />and state governments and agencies to attract and promote the types of <br />businesses suited to Orange County. These efforts focus on recruiting <br />appropriate businesses that will provide jobs to local residents and provide a <br />more balanced tax revenue structure that relies less on the generation of <br />private property taxes. <br />The County and Economic Development Commission have identified Action <br />Steps in the report: "Investing in Innovation: Orange County Economic <br />Development Commission Five -Year Strategic Plan." <br />To meet the demand for locally grown products, the County is working with <br />Alamance, Chatham, and Durham Counties to establish a value -added food <br />processing center, where farmers and others could make value -added <br />products, such as jams, pickles, or tamales. <br />