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APPROVED 5/15/2012 <br /> MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL <br /> JOINT MEETING <br /> March 29, 2012 <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met with the Town of Chapel Hill for a Joint <br /> Meeting on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Southern Human Services Center in Chapel Hill. <br /> N.C. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Bernadette Pelissier and Commissioners <br /> Valerie Foushee, Alice M. Gordon, Pam Hemminger, Barry Jacobs, Earl McKee, and Steve <br /> Yuhasz <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton, Clerk to the Board Donna Baker <br /> (All other staff members will be identified appropriately below) <br /> CHAPEL HILL TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, Ed <br /> Harrison, Jim Ward, Penny Rich, Lauren Easthom, Lee Storrow, Gene Pease, Matt Czajkowski <br /> CHAPEL HILLTOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Donna Bell <br /> CHAPEL HILL STAFF PRESENT: Town Manager Roger Stancil <br /> 1. Economic Development Updates <br /> a) Orange County-Steve Brantley <br /> Economic Development Director Steve Brantley summarized the information in the <br /> agenda abstract. <br /> While Orange County and the Town of Chapel Hill each operate their own economic <br /> development programs, the two entities have developed a collaborative working relationship <br /> that is mutually beneficial, which is intended to benefit the residents of the community as a <br /> whole. Although each of the programs has developed a focus unique to its goals and <br /> objectives, there are also common opportunities to collaborate. Several of these opportunities <br /> include: <br /> ♦ Search for incubator space — The Town and the County have been working <br /> on the development of incubator sites to facilitate innovation growth, both from <br /> the University and local entrepreneurs. Over the past year, Town and County <br /> economic development staff have met regularly to assess various potential site <br /> locations, and talked with potential investors and incubator space operators. <br /> Also, the County's Economic Development Department recently sponsored a <br /> study conducted in 2011 by UNC's Department of City and Regional Planning to <br /> evaluate the real estate needs of University entrepreneurs. The final report <br /> included recommendations for development of innovation space in a variety of <br /> campus and non-campus locations within Orange County, with specific site <br /> suggestions recommended within the Town of Chapel Hill. One of the primary <br /> goals of the County's study with UNC was to determine how to reverse the trend <br /> where many hi-tech startup firms that originate out of the University eventually <br />