Agenda - 05-15-2012 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 1 staff transitions, and/or with specific business recruitment and retention issues 2 that may develop in the interim. Orange County's Economic Development 3 Department looks forward to continuing a close relationship with Chapel Hill's 4 economic development office in 2012 and beyond. 5 6 The attached document provides additional background information for the discussion. Staff 7 will provide any other information at the meeting, and the governing boards can discuss issues 8 related to this item as necessary. 9 10 Attachment 1 — Visitors Bureau Tourism Program in Conjunction with the Town of 11 Chapel Hill 12 13 Council Member Pease asked about the range of the loans and Steve Brantley said that 14 it was from $30,000-50,000 for up to 3-5 years. The purpose is to help small businesses that 15 have 5-10 employees. 16 Council Member Pease asked about the solar panel companies that were thinking of 17 coming to Orange County. Steve Brantley said that these two projects did not move forward 18 because of the Chinese competition for manufacturing. 19 Frank Clifton said that this was an issue beyond the region. 20 Commissioner Jacobs asked Steve Brantley to recap the %-cent sales tax revenue and 21 the projects it will reflect. 22 Steve Brantley said that he and the Finance Director will start structuring the revenue 23 and will put it online. Sixty percent is for utility and infrastructure primarily for the economic 24 development districts. Another large percentage will be added to the small business loan 25 program. There is also an area marked for agricultural economic development efforts. There 26 are other categories such as collaborative outreach and incubator programs. 27 Chair Pelissier said that the most recent report from UNC was an analysis of the 28 incubator space and she asked that this be shared with the other municipalities. 29 30 b) Town of Chapel Hill 31 Chapel Hill Town Manager Roger Stancil said that they are working to maintain the pace 32 they were on with the loss of Dwight Bassett, the Chapel Hill Economic Development Director. 33 He said that they are working collaboratively with the County and other partners—Chamber of 34 Commerce, EmPOWERment, UNC, etc. There is a strategy and a strong Economic 35 Development Committee. The Visitor's Bureau is also a strong partner. He said that Chapel 36 Hill is open for business and to businesses. There is a marketing campaign with the alumni 37 association for UNC to identify alumni that would like to relocate their businesses and come 38 back to Chapel Hill. The focus of the town is on the future of economic development being in 39 healthcare and innovation. Chapel Hill is working with some technology companies on some 40 start-up projects. Regarding retail, the Council has initiated two projects —The Edge on 41 Eubanks Road, which will require some changes to the interchange of 1-40 and NC 86; and 42 Gateway to Chapel Hill at Ephesus Church Road. There will need to be some collaboration 43 with Orange County on the transportation changes for The Edge. 44 45 2. Solid Waste Issues 46 a) Update from Town of Chapel Hill 47 Town staff provided the attachment which addresses several issues related to solid waste, 48 the Orange County Landfill, Rogers Road, and future solid waste disposal. Staff will provide 49 any other information at the meeting, and the governing boards can discuss issues related to 50 this item as necessary.