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� <br /> NC DOC site certification for Eno EDD. Thus the EDC addressed a six-year timeframe for our <br /> strategic recommendations and within which to estimate the "order of magnitude" of the required <br /> investment in a comprehensive set of Economic Development activities. <br /> With Orange County being one of the top 10 start-up centers in the country, we anticipate that <br /> there will be strong demand by talented entrepreneurs for small business loans the county can <br /> provide, especially since the credit squeeze is expected to impact entrepreneurs for the coming <br /> years. Similarly, with RTP continuing to be a magnet for incoming executives and businesses, <br /> and with the competition for those businesses expected to increase, we anticipate that Orange <br /> County will need more — not fewer— options for reducing time and expenses required by <br /> established businesses to expand or locate in Orange County. <br /> Our estimates for research and analysis funding is based on current cost estimates provided by <br /> UNC research faculty, combined with actual expenditures invested by Chatham and other <br /> neighboring counties for the cluster/R&D/gap/funding stream analyses and strategic planning. <br /> In summary, based on current information available, we estimate that Orange County will need to <br /> invest roughly $11 million over six years, with about 80% supporting water/wastewater build-out, <br /> approximately 20% supporting a basic economic development tool kit, and less than 5% for data <br /> acquisition and analysis. Note that with respect to infrastructure financing, there are both <br /> matching funds and alternative public-private financing mechanisms, such as Tax <br /> Increment Financing, that can substantially reduce Orange County's share of the total <br /> investment in water and wastewater infrastructure. Although the estimates stated here are <br /> not exact, they point to the order of magnitude of the funding required to transform the virtually <br /> empty EDD land into revenue-producing assets. Failing to do so will cause Orange County to <br /> continue to be bypassed by private investors for surrounding counties for years if not decades. <br /> Conclusion <br /> Business Tip From the Amish <br /> "[Businesses] will tell you what they want and how to sell it, if you listen. You "listen" in different <br /> ways: by scrutinizing sales statistics, by reading news and industry publications, and by old- <br /> fashioned asking. You may have to put aside your ego." <br /> Borrowed from Erik Wesner, Success Made Simple, An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses <br /> Thrive <br /> For the better part of the year, the EDC has reached out to business, asked what they need and <br /> want, and has listened. And indeed, each time business leaders speak, they tell us clearly what <br /> they want and how Orange County can offer the solutions to these needs. We have sought out <br /> and evaluated the statistics: the total market (3.1 B+) Orange County's share (0), the produce that <br /> business is in the market for: shovel- and business-ready space as well as tools that reduce <br /> time, expense, and unpredictability. We have strived to do so without ego, seeking data and <br /> best practices used by those recognized worldwide as leaders and to those who have achieved <br /> results. The produce of this effort is the critical path summarized in this presentation. <br /> As a parting consideration, we realize it will be unprecedented for the Commissioners to endorse <br />