Orange County NC Website
~- <br />NORTH CAROLINA <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into the 5th day of November, 2009, by and <br />between Orange County, North Carolina, 200 S. Cameron Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina, <br />hereinafter referred to as "County" and North Carolina State University for and on behalf of its <br />Small Business and Technology Development Center, 5 West Hargett Street, Suite 600, Raleigh, <br />North Carolina 27601-1348, hereinafter referred to as the "SBTDC". <br />WITNESSETH: <br />WHEREAS, the on-going work of the Orange County SBTDC is consistent with the Orange <br />County Economic Development Strategic Plan; and <br />WHEREAS, the work of the Orange County SBTDC, the development of more <br />comprehensive small business information, and a public awareness and educational program on <br />the services available to small business, is an integral part of meeting the objectives specified in <br />the Orange County Economic Development Strategic Plan; and <br />WHEREAS, the Orange County Economic Development Commission, hereinafter referred <br />to as the EDC, has endorsed the Orange County SBTDC concept, and has encouraged the County's <br />support, financial and otherwise; and <br />WHEREAS, the EDC is an agency of the County; and <br />WHEREAS, economic development is an important public purpose which can be aided by <br />contributions of Orange County funds; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County supports the Economic Development Strategic Plan, and public- <br />private initiatives to implement the Plan. <br />Now, therefore, in consideration of the above and the mutual covenants and <br />considerations hereinafter set forth, the County and the SBTDC agree as follows: <br />First, in consideration of the EDCs on-going support, the SBTDC will maintain a regional <br />office in Orange County. This will consist, at minimum, of the presence of three professional staff <br />members in the County. <br />Second, the SBTDC will make its general business consulting services and more <br />specialized services and counseling in the areas of international trade, technology development, <br />and government procurement (including Pro-Bid) available to small firms and would-be <br />entrepreneurs throughout the County. Where appropriate SBTDC will work with specific clients <br />referred by the EDC. <br />Third, one or more resources libraries will be maintained in the County and handout <br />materials will be available. The SBTDC also will provide access to specialized software such as <br />ProfitCents, a business benchmarking & financials comparison program, and other business start- <br />up and assistance resources at no charge to the businesses. <br />Fourth, the SBTDC will continue to develop and offer with the EDC and other sponsors a <br />variety of training programs both for small business firms and for those who serve small <br />businesses (such as bankers). These will be scheduled as requested/needed throughout the term <br />of this agreement. An ongoing focus during the term of this contract shall continue to be <br />assistance to female and minority owned businesses. <br />