Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
would like to come away from one of these conversations with some agreement that there is a <br /> village common as opposed to having the same conversation over and over. <br /> Frank Clifton suggested challenging economic development staff to come together and <br /> develop the laundry list of issues to establish priorities that would be valuable. The priorities <br /> could be brought back to each group and see who buys the idea. There needs to be a list to <br /> give to recruiters. <br /> Chair Foushee made reference to item E and asked Frank Clifton if this is a proposal to <br /> modify how the elected officials are being advised by the economic development commissions. <br /> She said that there are opportunities that are being missed, but they are hearing about it after <br /> the fact. <br /> Frank Clifton said that from the perspective of the County, if they want to create a <br /> working group of professionals that know the business, then this is something that should be <br /> done. This includes the community colleges, universities, people involved in economic <br /> development. This would be a group of decision makers. <br /> Mayor Kleinschmidt said that this is a great idea. He suggested that each jurisdiction <br /> have a few council members working closely with the Economic Development Director offering <br /> the kind of advice that is empowering. <br /> Randee Haven O'Donnell said that this is how it is done in Carrboro. She said that she <br /> liked what Frank Clifton said, but the entity he is talking about is separate from the citizen <br /> advisory committee. She thinks that there should be both. She said that there needs to be <br /> clarity on the focal points and clarity of interest on the intersections. She said that <br /> sustainability does not mean low-tech. It means accelerators, start-ups, etc. Resilience means <br /> flexibility, adaptability, and being able to read the markets for certain areas. <br /> Aaron Nelson said that Orange County needs to get to the place where there is no <br /> second guessing of the economic development professionals. He agreed with having a <br /> council for economic development made up of professionals as well as a citizen group. <br /> Chapel Hill does not have a citizen advisory group. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he is proud that Orange County values the <br /> environment. He gave OWASA as an example. To some extent, this value has been a <br /> problem for economic development in Orange County because of land use plans, etc. He <br /> thinks that the three governments are now working well together and it is no longer <br /> controversial, and the business community needs to see that. <br /> Roger Stancil said that there is a lot of consensus in the room. He said that in reality <br /> the Town of Chapel Hill has come a long way in the last three to four years in economic <br /> development. The reason for that is that the Economic Development Committee developed a <br /> very simple, one-page strategy statement. He suggested that he and Frank Clifton come back <br /> with a structure and strategy statement, charge the managers with this responsibility, and then <br /> they can come back with a recommendation to the elected officials. <br /> Commissioner Gordon agreed and said that the elected officials should let the <br /> managers recommend the structure group with a focused charge. <br /> All agreed to approach it this way. There was also agreement to include the Town of <br /> Hillsborough and the City of Mebane. <br /> Funding <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that, in the absence of funds, the 1%-cent sales tax vote <br /> could determine more what resources will be available. <br /> Frank Clifton said that each entity funds a certain level of economic development right <br /> now. <br />