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9 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 Orange County is committed to finding ways to support individuals involved in <br /> 3 entrepreneurial start-ups, and to retain those knowledge-based firms. For example, a portion of <br /> 4 the new quarter cent sales tax proceeds for economic development is earmarked for incubator <br /> 5 support. However, too often, entrepreneurial start-ups such as those that emerge out of the <br /> 6 University of North Carolina (UNC) eventually relocate to the Research Triangle Park area. On <br /> 7 November 30, 2011, Orange County Economic Development staff spent the day with <br /> 8 Hillsborough Commissioner Eric Hallman, visited the very successful "Durham Underground" <br /> 9 incubator at the American Tobacco campus in Durham, and met with the Council for <br /> 10 Entrepreneurial Development (CED). The purpose was to begin discussing ideas regarding <br /> 11 how Orange County can form its own innovation center. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 Part of Orange County's research into incubators has included a dialog with a respected <br /> 14 UNC department chair that has conducted an analysis of the area's real estate market and <br /> 15 suggested an incubator development strategy. While the UNC report includes <br /> 16 recommendations on the use of existing County-owned buildings to house innovation centers, <br /> 17 and specifically in Chapel Hill, Orange County has not developed nor endorsed a <br /> 18 recommendation at this time which proposes use of any specific County-owned buildings. <br /> 19 County staff is currently discussing how to financially assist individual incubator start-up tenants <br /> 20 rather than propose any ownership or specific County-owned and operated building which could <br /> 21 house an innovation center. County Economic Development staff certainly looks forward to <br /> 22 further talks with Town Commissioner Hallman and others who can help Orange County <br /> 23 visualize a strategy that can lead to a Hillsborough-based innovation center. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Steve Brantley said that about two years ago Orange County worked with UNC on a <br /> 26 study about trying to get designated business districts. Last summer Orange County <br /> 27 contracted with UNC again and the consultant looked at incubators coming out of UNC because <br /> 28 most are leaving Orange County and going to RTP and Durham. He said that the consultant <br /> 29 found that though they have business space for rent/purchase in the county/towns, it is very <br /> 30 expensive. <br /> 31 Frank Clifton said that the County had an opportunity to buy the building that was <br /> 32 housing the Child Support Services department, and this operation was recently moved over to <br /> 33 the County office building. This building was purchased by a music publishing group that is <br /> 34 going to open up a business there for recording. There will be an announcement in the near <br /> 35 future regarding this new business. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 d) Request for Proposals (RFP) for Train Station Property Transit-Oriented <br /> 38 Development <br /> 39 <br /> 40 The Town of Hillsborough owns a 20-acre tract of land located just south of downtown <br /> 41 that is adjacent to the rail line. It is best known for being the location of the Collins Fields that <br /> 42 are used by the Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association (HYAA) baseball/softball programs. <br /> 43 Several attempts at grant funding for a station with associated access and utility costs have <br /> 44 been unsuccessful. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has stated that <br /> 45 Hillsborough and Lexington are the state's top two priorities for new rail stations. The Town <br /> 46 intends to include $30,000 in the upcoming FY13 Budget to provide a 20% match to partner <br /> 47 with NCDOT to conduct the environmental assessment that will be required if federal funding is <br /> 48 used to support the station. <br /> 49 <br />