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Commissioner Gordon said that the Board of County Commissioners did have a retreat <br /> where it articulated a vision. She made reference to page 2, "Grow and generate the kinds of <br /> businesses that are desirable." She said that the County Commissioners talked about some <br /> parameters. She said that this does not preclude talking about any particular kind of business. <br /> She would like the Board to be informed about the discussion of generating desirable <br /> businesses. <br /> Chair Foushee said that everyone's presence here is because the County <br /> Commissioners believe that there has to be some coordinated collaboration between the <br /> Towns and the County. She said that economic development in the Towns is economic <br /> development for Orange County. She asked everyone to speak openly. <br /> Other Discussion Topics: <br /> A. Can we expand collaboration and coordination of economic development efforts <br /> and decisions between Orange County and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, <br /> Hillsborough, Mebane and Durham? <br /> B. Can we better capitalize resources available to Orange County and its Towns via <br /> existing assets such as DTCC, UNC, UNC Health Care and others? <br /> C. How do we fund economic development going forward; at what levels; and what <br /> measures of performance should be employed to measure success? <br /> D. Should we modify the current County ED Advisory Board structure to enhance our <br /> ability to function in today's environment? <br /> E. Can we enhance the image of Orange County and its Towns as an economic <br /> development opportunity for new or expanding businesses? <br /> F. Next steps? Follow up? <br /> These topics were not necessarily discussed in any order. <br /> Mayor Kleinschmidt said that economic development in other parts of the County is also <br /> economic development for Chapel Hill. He asked about the obstacles to continued and <br /> expanded collaboration. <br /> Dwight Bassett said that when they do have business opportunities there is not enough <br /> time to respond to companies in a timely manner. He said that there is not a clear economic <br /> development plan or incentive policies. <br /> Brad Broadwell said that the will is there to collaborate, and there are some things that <br /> are transpiring. He said that the County has been able to purchase some software to enhance <br /> economic development tools. <br /> Jim Norton said that the cooperation is there but not the tools that everyone can use to <br /> make something happen. <br /> Aaron Nelson said that he thinks everyone is cooperating but not coordinating. He said <br /> that there is no agreed upon objective. He said that some of the incentives are low and an <br /> agreed upon set of objectives as to what they desire would make it easier to go and get it. <br />