Agenda - 06-15-2010 - 4a - Laserfiche WebLink

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23 1 empty EDD land into revenue-producing assets. Failing to do so will cause Orange County to 2 continue to be bypassed by private investors for surrounding counties for years if not decades. 3 4 Conclusion 5 Business Tip From the Amish 6 "[Businesses] will tell you what they want and how to sell it, if you listen. You "listen" in different 7 ways: by scrutinizing sales statistics, by reading news and industry publications, and by old- 8 fashioned asking. You may have to put aside your ego." 9 10 11 Borrowed from Erik Wesner, Success Made Simple, An lnside Look at Why Amish Businesses 12 Thrive 13 14 For the better part of the year, the EDC has reached out to business, asked what they need 15 and want, and has listened. And indeed, each time business leaders speak, they tell us clearly 16 what they want and how Orange County can offer the solutions to these needs. We have 17 sought out and evaluated the statistics: the total market (3.1 B+) Orange County's share (0), the 18 produce that business is in the market for: shovel- and business-ready space as well as tools 19 that reduce time, expense, and unpredictability. We have strived to do so without ego, seeking 20 data and best practices used by those recognized worldwide as leaders and to those who have 21 achieved results. The produce of this effort is the critical path summarized in this presentation. 22 23 As a parting consideration, we realize it will be unprecedented for the Commissioners to �i 24 endorse—and fund —these recommendations and that it will be tempting to stick to business as 25 usual with respect to the county's economic development policies. At the same time, it is the 26 EDC's responsibility to advise the Board of the tikely outcomes of its choices from the 27 perspective of those who have the means, ability, and opportunity to invest their resources in 28 the county. 29 30 We understand that sticking with what's known is sometimes more comfortable than making 31 changes—even when we know that the known will not help us achieve our objectives. Yet, it is 32 in these times that change is most needed. Failing to endorse and fund these 33 recommendations will strongly signal businesses and citizens alike that Orange County remains 34 welcoming to residents who are business owners and executives while maintaining barriers to 35 private investment in commercial enterprise. 36 37 Without BOCC funding of these recommendations, Orange County's economic development 38 policies will continue to perpetuate the status quo, and Orange County witl continue to rank 39 lowest or near lowest in private commercial investment and job creation, rank highest or near 40 highest in residential taxes and will continue to rank high in the gap between the standards of 41 living between the wealthiest and poorest of its resident families within the entire 13-county 42 RTRP region for the foreseeable future. We do not believe these outcomes are in keeping with 43 Orange County values or long-term fiscal health. This year is a year of hard choices. There 44 are no easy solutions. And, there is no way to avoid pain. We believe by endorsing and 45 funding these recommendations the County will set itself up to being substantially increasing its 46 revenue and therefore its program funding and service delivery capacity for years to come. 47 48 Thank you. 49 50