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City of Durham regarding water available in areas on the eastern side of the County and sewer <br /> potentially available. <br /> 2. Endowing the EDC's economic development tool kit so that the County can <br /> effectively respond to opportunities to recruit, retain, grow, and generate <br /> the kinds of businesses that are desirable. <br /> Economic Development Director Brad Broadwell said that he and his counterparts have <br /> been talking about needing a tool box for economic development. He said that one of the <br /> tools they need the most is capital funds for new businesses. Next is to find resources and to <br /> provide these for incubators to start up businesses. Other tools include incentives and a <br /> streamlined permitting process, since there is limited time for a company to come in and start <br /> up. <br /> Brad Broadwell introduced Michael Geouge and Ernie Pearson, partners in Sanford- <br /> Holshauser Law Firm. He said that both of these gentlemen have been involved in economic <br /> development. <br /> Ernie Pearson said that incentives to create industry and businesses are not new. He <br /> gave a history of incentives for businesses in North Carolina. He said that any state recruiter <br /> will tell you that they never see a request for proposals from a company that does not have <br /> incentives. He said that there is a perception that certain businesses are not welcome in <br /> Orange County. Incentives can be cash grants, land, or a loan fund. He said that gaming or <br /> call centers are good industries to look for and an incentive could be to wire a building for <br /> technology. He said that the County would miss out on a lot of opportunities if there are no <br /> incentives. <br /> Michael Geouge said that they are delighted to be here tonight and they represent <br /> industries and businesses, and they also do consulting with communities to help assess the <br /> economic development analysis. He suggested that the county look at the incentives that it <br /> wants. He said that you have to know what your competition is doing. He suggested a <br /> competitive incentive analysis for Orange County to see what the competitors are doing. <br /> 3. Commissioning research and building its knowledge base so that <br /> economic development decisions are data driven, based on current <br /> analysis, and result in performance that is valued in Orange County. <br /> Economic Development Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Ferguson said that when the <br /> board spoke with the Board of County Commissioners in May, one of the quotes that she <br /> shared was that, "Businesses will tell you what they want and how to sell it if you listen. You <br /> listen in different ways by scrutinizing sales statistics, by reading news and industry <br /> publications, and by old-fashioned asking." This quote was from Success Made Simple: An <br /> Inside Look at Why Amish-Built Businesses Thrive. She said that the County should do the <br /> homework. She said that they are asking for a continual commitment for Orange County in <br /> doing the homework and keeping up with the needs of businesses. She said that the <br /> Economic Development Department is now doing surveys of certain businesses, but more <br /> questions need to be asked. <br /> General Comments: <br /> Randee Haven O'Donnell asked to add another topic— Sustainability and Economic <br /> Resilience. <br />