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culminated with an EDC member riding in several Christmas parades wearing an orange Santa <br /> Suit with the "Shop Orange" slogan on the side of the car.] <br /> There is an important connection between a successful community and a successful economy. <br /> When you spend money on local goods and services, those purchases generate local taxes <br /> which local governments use to fund critical services such as schools, police and fire <br /> protection. It's no surprise to this BOCC that 53% of retail dollars or approximately $477 <br /> million dollars are spent outside of Orange County by county residents. Now more than ever, <br /> with a shortfall in consumer spending, individuals can have a major impact on maintaining their <br /> local community's quality of life simply by paying attention to where they shop. We have <br /> supported the group's latest effort by funding the printing and distribution of new collateral <br /> marketing materials to be interested Orange County businesses. <br /> Hillsborough Business Incubator <br /> Currently the Economic Development department is working with Hillsborough's Planning <br /> Director, Margaret Hauth, Associate UNC-CH planning professor Meenu Tewari, and interns <br /> from her class that propose to work on a project for the town of Hillsborough that includes an <br /> analysis and marketing study to recommend reasonable potential uses for eight parcels/areas <br /> in the Cornelius Street Corridor. With five of the areas greater than 2 acres and 3 less than 2 <br /> acres, special emphasis will be placed on considering the possibilities of specific business <br /> enterprises, including: <br /> • Retail (incubator); <br /> • Service business/office incubator; <br /> • Fast food; <br /> • Sit down dining; <br /> • Grocery; <br /> • Medial services community center; and <br /> • Attached housing. <br /> Proposed Hillsborough Hospital <br /> At the request of the Hillsborough government, we recently submitted a white paper and <br /> summary of the ramifications of building a new hospital and medical facility in Hillsborough. <br /> Proposed Buckhorn Project <br /> Over the last several weeks we have had an opportunity to do an informal assessment of local <br /> economic prospects. Although perceived and real opportunity was discussed regarding <br /> numerous opportunities through the county, strong feedback was evident suggesting that we <br /> have darn near hit the bottom of job losses, and the housing slump and prospects seemed to <br /> have brightened locally, in Washington and on Wall Street. Locally, we are seeing renewed <br /> interest in and possible opportunities for the Buckhorn Economic Development District (EDD) <br /> in the Mebane area to become a technology park. <br /> Some of my perceptions at this time include: <br /> • Commercial brokers do not see Buckhorn EDD as a viable large scale retail option now <br /> or in the coming future; <br /> • Some brokers don't see it as a viable office park/light manufacturing site or distribution <br /> center unless water and sewer are brought to the site; <br /> • Credit markets are loosening a bit but not yet for new projects; and <br />