Orange County NC Website
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 4, 2011 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~ - b <br />SUBJECT: North Carolina Tomorrow Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy <br />(CEDS) for Orange County as Part of the Seven County Triangle J Council of <br />Governments <br />DEPARTMENT: County Manager/ Economic <br />Development <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />(1) Notice of Public Hearing <br />(2) North Carolina Tomorrow Executive <br />Summary <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Michael Talbert, Interim Assistant <br />County Manager, (919) 245-2153 <br />Dottie Schmitt, Economic Development, <br />(919) 245-2327 <br />Steve Brantley, Economic Development <br />Director, (919) 245-2326. <br />PURPOSE: To conduct a public hearing to receive public input regarding submittal of a Grant <br />Application through the NC Department of Commerce. <br />BACKGROUND: The NC Department of Commerce and the 16 regional North Carolina <br />Councils of Governments are working cooperatively to create a more uniform approach to <br />economic development planning across the state. The project is to produce a comprehensive <br />economic development strategy (CEDS) for each region. These regional plans would be <br />consolidated into a State strategy. The regional councils are also working with the federal <br />Economic Development Administration on this initiative. Attached is an Executive Summary of <br />the initiative providing a more detailed description of the proposed collaborative partnership. <br />The Grant Application will require two public hearings with the second public hearing scheduled <br />for the Board's October 18, 2011 regular meeting. <br />Orange County will be one of the seven county applicants in the Triangle J Council of <br />Governments (TJCOG) Region. The County is the applicant for these funds since Community <br />Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds must be awarded to a local government grantee. <br />TJCOG will act as the sub-grantee to carry out the work and manage the grant. The anticipated <br />grant award is $50,000 for a period of 18 months. The award will not hinder any other CDBG <br />efforts by Orange County and will not count against County caps. The application deadline from <br />the NC Department of Commerce is November 10, 2011. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with holding the public hearing. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board hold the public hearing <br />and direct staff to proceed with an application for the North Carolina Tomorrow initiative funded <br />by a Community Development Block Grant. <br />