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Commissioner Carey asked about the loan pool and said that it is essentially dead now. <br />He asked about an update on the problems with this. Dianne Reid said that she is working on <br />this, and they have met with the banks that were involved, and they are all still interested in <br />continuing. They are hoping to tie the loan pool into this plan. The banks have all said that they <br />would be ready when the County is. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that the idea of looking at economic development in the <br />larger picture is good because it is good to combine the social, environmental, and business <br />aspects in the focus groups. She said that there does not have to be a conflict between <br />economic development and environmental quality. Commissioner Carey made reference to <br />item `c' and the goal and one of the possibilities is to "establish economic development facilitator <br />to work with business clients." He asked if this was a new position or a new role. Margaret <br />Cannell said that Aaron Nelson is the co-chair of this work group and it is not a new position. <br />John Link commended the group on being specific on page nine, items `c' and `d' <br />regarding working with businesses. He asked how well the Department of Commerce was <br />working with the County. Dianne Reid said that site availability has always been a challenge. <br />This means that a lot of the projects that come through the State cannot be accommodated. <br />She said that last week an existing business was interested in coming to Orange County. There <br />is more cooperation lately with the Department of Commerce. She said that RTRP has always <br />been very cooperative. <br />Chair Jacobs made reference to page seven and the issue of incentives and <br />conferences and sports. He asked about the football tournament. Dianne Reid said that the <br />football tournament would be played in Chapel Hill next December. The Visitor's Bureau and <br />the Town of Chapel Hill made significant contributions and the Chamber increased its funding <br />as well as other organizations. <br />Chair Jacobs said that he thinks that the County should consider dealing with <br />businesses that are already in Orange County and how to help them grow. He said that once <br />the water and sewer infrastructure is in place for Waterstone and Middle School #3, it would be <br />much easier to recruit businesses than it is now. <br />Margaret Cannell said that they discussed this in their work group. She said that they <br />have not discussed infrastructure that much, but they have focused on development criteria. <br />5. Infrastructure Objectives and Action Steps -Paul Snow <br />Infrastructure: Infrastructure will be in place to support the county's economic development <br />goals of increasing the commercial tax base and retaining and attracting targeted businesses. <br />• Extend water and sewer into all three Economic Development Districts (Buckhorn, <br />Hillsborough, and Durham/Ena Districts) <br />• Establish adequate information networks throughout the towns and county <br />• Encourage participation and input as appropriate in area plans and projects <br />• Provide input and encourage participation in updated county land use plan and <br />concomitant tools <br />• Encourage compact and higher density development in areas served by water and <br />sewer <br />• Encourage mixed use projects that support walkable communities <br />• Promote public transportation, alternative modes of transportation, and encourage <br />carpooling and park-and-ride participation <br />