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State of North Carolina. North Carolina's certification program is designed to showcase premium <br />business locations throughout the state that have undergone a rigorous pre -qualification process to ensure <br />they are shovel -ready for immediate development. The Certified Sites designation is granted only after <br />communities undergo a stringent review process that demonstrates that they've addressed 31 prerequisites <br />including: <br />• Business /industrial use designation <br />• Phase I environment audits <br />• Oeo- technical studies <br />• Topographical analysis and maps <br />• Aerial photography <br />• Availability of public utilities <br />• Industrial power quality <br />• Engineered site development plans <br />• Detailed analysis of development cost <br />• Complete information on pricing <br />North Carolina's certified sites are equipped with all the information companies and site selectors need to <br />develop detailed timelines for development, construction and completion, budgeting, cost control, risk <br />mitigation and planning32. Complete program requirements are included as Appendix IX. <br />The Second Leg: Economic Development Toolkit Tailored to Current Market Conditions <br />Although under the remit of the Planning Department, a streamlined Unified Development Ordinance <br />(UDO) similar to those already offered in surrounding counties also is a necessary component of <br />economic development success. Understanding that time is money and new business will not consider <br />jurisdictions that encumber a business' progress with regulations and time requirements substantially <br />greater than those required in neighboringjurisdictions, a comparable UDO structure that is capable of <br />supporting permitting processes of 90 days or fewer is needed for Orange County to be viewed as a <br />comparable location within the region and will be used as an effective recruitment tool. <br />A recapitalized and enhanced small business loan fund supporting local start -ups will be readily <br />welcomed by capital - strapped entrepreneurs. Increasing the flexibility of such a fund to support more <br />service- and knowledge -based start-ups will enable Orange County to serve a Beater number of these <br />entrepreneurs as they move beyond the garage or kitchen table. Over the last year, Orange County <br />successfully supported two successful businesses—one of which, PhD, garnered national recognition via <br />MSNBC and subscribing media outlets. However, having allocated all funds ($75,000), the County is <br />limited in our capacity to assist other small locally -owned businesses. We would like to maintain this <br />strength in the coming years but again need to offer comparable benefits in the eyes of business irmestors <br />with surrounding counties to attract and retain these businesses, particularly those being fuelled by UNC <br />research or student/faculty entrepreneurs. <br />Providing investment assistance to established growing and relocating business will enable Orange <br />County to participate in the economic development market for businesses already employing or poised to <br />employ County residents who currently commute for work. Establishing a pilot incentive fund will enable <br />Orange County to gain experience negotiating with businesses wanting to locate here. Rather than subject <br />every business opportunity to a drawn-out political process, the EDC recommends providing the <br />Economic Development Department with funds that can be accessed fast enough to effectively respond to <br />igIPage <br />