Orange County NC Website
Building on Past Efforts — Creating a Future Focus <br />Excerpts from Notes from November 2009 Discussion <br />Defining the terms of the ED goal: <br />Implement planning and economic development policies which create a balanced, <br />dynamic local economy, and which promote diversity, sustainable growth and <br />enhanced revenue while embracing community values. <br />"balanced" <br />• Employment opportunities for every level of education /experience /skill <br />• Local availability of most goods and services <br />• Mix of locally owned and non -local businesses <br />"dynamic" <br />• Jobs that evolve, keep up with technology and cultural changes <br />• Open to change <br />• Progressive <br />• Provide opportunities for start-up businesses <br />• Modifying regulatory environment and moving with the times <br />• Thriving, marked by continuous and productive activity <br />"diversity" <br />• Diversity of jobs for different skill levels * *[this goal may be in conflict with the <br />goal of creating more high - paying jobs] ** <br />• Ensure that all residents have an equal chance to benefit from ED, including <br />access and training for high - quality, high - paying jobs <br />• National and local- economy jobs. Large and small employers <br />• Geographical diversity: jobs dispersed around county <br />• Diversity in type of industry: light industrial, retail, etc. <br />"sustainable growth" <br />• Protect the environment, promote social justice and equity, and ensure sound <br />fiscal management, while facilitating economic development <br />• Low - polluting industries, low water usage <br />• Greenness <br />• Use what you've got, focus on assets <br />• Affordability: pay attention to tax burden <br />23 <br />