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economy jobs between 2006 and 200720. Supported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the state is positioned to benefit from these green initiatives. Moreover, opportunities in promoting green - related economic development abound for Orange County. In addition to a growing solar energy sector, RTP is home to numerous companies — ranging from large and small; global to local— engaged in green enterprise, embracing green practices via LEED certification or other environment- friendly initiatives, and /or implementing green- related policies. Many of these companies are at the forefront of innovation and change. In addition, because pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and biotechnology companies tend to be earl), adopters of energy conservation and renewable energy policies21, the region's established life sciences cluster combined with the emerging clean/green technologies cluster represent significant economic development opportunity for jurisdictions attuned to the needs of these sectors' constituent businesses. E- Learning, Digital Gaming, and Training Innovation Harnessing additional job - creation and business - growth opportunities associated with new technologies and techniques in digital games and learning environments useful in a wide spectrum of adult education and training. The Digital Economy RTP is home to several leading R &D centers in digital gaining, including N.C. State University's Digital Games Research Center, Wake Technical Community College's Simulation and Game Development Lab, and UNC's Department of Computer Science's Graphics and Analysis Research. As a result, RTP is home to 30+ gaming - related companies, which account for 1000+ jobs, where average salaries exceed $80K. Federal funding for R &D in this arena is available via the National Science Foundation and the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Education, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, gaming, graphics and visualization, and education teclnology22. Although Wake County has taken the lead on marketing the region as a top national player, Orange County has the opportunity to retain start- ups emanating from UNC with the potential of generating strong growth and revenue. Reality Check (Regional Population and Job Growth) Reality Check encompasses expectations that the region will need to acconnnodate more than I million people and 700,000 additional jobs over the next 20 years. Managing Residential Growth Orange County has nurtured the development of many quality of life factors that attract residents. In addition, with the Orange County Visitors Bureau expanding an already successful marketing program to reach a wider audience, it is likely that more will take up residence in the County. If current patterns persist, Orange Count}, could see the volume of rural residents grow significantly, placing even greater burden on County first responder and school systems. Without increased economic development and associated increases in the commercial tax base, Orange County's commuter rates will increase, as well as the associated impacts, and, so will our ever - increasing reliance on residential property taxes. Leveraging Opportunity: The Role ofLocal Government in Economic Development Both public and private sectors acknowledge that local governments have a role to play in economic development and the manner and extent of that role significantly impacts private investment decisions. As articulated in the North Carolina Economic Developers Associated Economic Development Handbook, the role of local government is summarized as follows: 20hfo /hA rn mmer comten1Pr R IPr R lea 1 6152009PeaepQdShowsN CaLeadednGreeoEconomyhtm 2' Trade and Industry Development, January/February 2010 22 Extension Operations Council Meeting Minutes, October 10, 2007 121Page