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2 <br />The County Economic Development Director has formulated a staff level `working group' of <br />professionals involved in economic development-related functions in the County, Towns, <br />utilities, and other related groups. This group will come together on project-specific <br />opportunities to provide technical expertise and support. The Economic Development Director <br />is also making local industry visits within Orange County in afact-finding effort to gain further <br />background with regards to local business needs. <br />In the coming months, a reformulated advisory organization structure and specific <br />recommendations to support continued growth economic development will be presented to the <br />Board of Commissioners. It is envisioned that members would include business and industry <br />representatives from varying sectors, chamber of commerce representatives, utility <br />management team members, educational representatives (including local schools, UNC, Duke <br />and Durham. Technical Community College representatives) along with representatives from the <br />retail, tourism, real estate, banking and other related commerce sectors. <br />The Economic Development Director will explore these options and recruit talented individuals <br />to volunteer to serve in these capacities. <br />Staff with assistance from UNC consultants will draft new guidelines and focus points for this <br />new advisory group structure to use as the basis of economic development efforts. The current <br />plan is to complete much of the preparatory work by Fall 2011 and have a presentation for the <br />BOCC later this year with the intent to implement a new structure once approved by the Board <br />early next year, or sooner if possible. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no direct financial impacts beyond existing budgets approved <br />by the Board. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: <br />A. Approve the attached Resolution ("Resolution to Repeal the 1982 Resolution Creating <br />the Orange County Economic Development Commission') that formally dissolves the <br />Economic Development Commission; <br />B. Authorize the Board Chair to provide written expressions of appreciation to current and <br />past members of the advisory group to the Orange County Economic Development <br />Commission for their service to the County; <br />C. Direct staff to develop a proposed reconfigured Economic Development Advisory Board <br />structure along with recommendations as to the suggested membership categories and <br />organizational representatives; and <br />D. Encourage staff to initiate recruitment of qualified persons to be considered by the Board <br />of County Commissioners for appointment to the newly constituted Orange County <br />Economic Development Advisory Board. <br />