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Attachment 6 <br /> 20, <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> To: Frank Clifton <br /> Orange County Manager <br /> Cc: Craig.Benedict <br /> Orange County Planning Department—Director <br /> From: Steve Brantley <br /> Orange County Economic Development—Director <br /> Date: April 9, 2012 <br /> Subj: April 17th's BOCC Meeting&Public Hearing—Zoning Atlas Amendment regarding the <br /> Buckhorn-Mebane EDD <br /> Regarding the Board of County Commissioners' upcoming April 17th Public Hearing to discuss the <br /> Buckhorn-Mebane EDD(Zoning Atlas Amendment), I would like to strongly endorse our Planning <br /> Department's efforts in this regard. The rezoning of the various properties listed in Planning's Abstract <br /> will enable Orange County Economic Development to have viable sites that are pre-zoned and ready to <br /> show to prospective business investors. This will increase Orange County's inventory of competitive <br /> sites in our portfolio of properties that we will be able to market to office,distribution and light <br /> industrial prospects. <br /> At present,the Orange County Economic Development office is attracting qualified business <br /> prospects and site selection consultants who are visiting here,and we are attempting to show Orange <br /> County's many advantages to them. However, in terms of overall site options that these prospects are <br /> able to see in adjacent,competing counties, Orange County remains at a competitive disadvantage in <br /> terms of our very limited site inventory. We are missing out on opportunities. <br /> For example, last week I could only show one property to an international world-class food <br /> processor that visited the Mebane area of Orange County. That prospective firm then departed to scout <br /> additional sites in other parts of the Triangle region. All of those competing sites are also served by <br /> direct interstate access, have excellent topography and required utilities and zoning, and are <br /> competitively priced. That international business would fit well with Orange County's effort to diversify <br /> our local economy,and at the same time, support the County's commitment to attract sustainable food <br /> related and agricultural businesses. With more developed business sites in Orange County that are <br /> shovel-ready,which is the kind of sites these prospects seek,we will be able to pursue such desirable <br /> business investors with greater confidence. <br /> Regards. <br />