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take advantage of these credits, the project is made feasible by allowing a solar company to <br /> install the solar array, have a group of investors fund the installation, and allow these third <br /> party investors to utilize the tax benefits. <br /> To initiate the project, a Request for Proposals (RFP) process would commence with input <br /> from Economic Development, Solid Waste, the County Attorney, Purchasing, and other groups <br /> as needed, such as ERCD. The RFP would be prepared using several RFPs from similar <br /> projects around country that have been collected. Because there are few similar projects that <br /> have been completed in North Carolina, we would also utilize the help of NC Solar Center and <br /> Appalachian State Energy Center to structure project. The project would most likely set up as <br /> a `ground lease' whereby the solar developer owns and operates the solar installation and the <br /> county receives a monthly or annual lease payment for use of the land. All tax credits, <br /> depreciation, and RECs (renewable energy credits) would be realized by developer. All <br /> construction costs would be borne by developer. The project design, including the type of <br /> solar collector used and the number and location of solar panels, would be left open to allow <br /> creativity by bidders —we would merely state that we want to `maximize the economic and <br /> environmental benefits for the County'. <br /> Once the team has drafted an RFP, we would present the draft RFP and a list of evaluation <br /> criteria to the BOCC for their approval, so I request that with your approval that we now pursue <br /> the drafting of an RFP, to be submitted to BOCC upon its completion, and then move to a <br /> review and award process. <br /> Business Attraction--Solar <br /> As a result of the initial earned media since we presented the solar concept and white paper, <br /> we have several inquiries from business outside of the county looking at a move or expansion <br /> into Orange County. Of the 6 inquiries that have come through the economic development <br /> office at this time, only one new business expansion seems to be viable. <br /> Buy Local Program Update <br /> I'd like to turn your attention to another successful activity that the Economic Development <br /> department is working on to contain retail tax leakage from the County. The department has <br /> been involved with the Buy Local for some time. <br /> A taskforce was created by interested members of the community through the Chapel <br /> Hill/Carrboro COC whose mission was to educate all residents (consumers, businesses, <br /> institutions and local governments) as to why they should buy locally. The taskforce's objective <br /> is to create a measurable change in consumer spending habits to increase local tax revenue, <br /> job retention and creation, and strengthen local businesses and their profitability. <br /> [Additional historical information on the Buy Local program provided as follow up to the <br /> September 1, 2009 presentation is provided as follows: The "Shop Orange" campaign was <br /> initiated by the EDC in 1993. The first campaign kick-off was August 10t • 1993 with a news <br /> conference held at University Mall. The original slogan was "Shop Orange First— It Will Help <br /> All Of Us!". The program's objective was to make community improvements through funding <br /> by increased county retail sales taxes. The original "Shop Orange First" committee included <br /> representatives from both local school systems, the Chapel Hill and Hillsborough Chambers of <br /> Commerce, the EDC, the Federation of Teachers, various PTAs, the Chapel Hill Herald, the <br /> Village Advocate, WCHL, the Chapel Hill News and the Daily Tar Heel. The campaign <br />