Orange County NC Website
Chair Jacobs said that it would be a great idea when businesses come in to do an <br />economic analysis somewhere outside of the political process to show the incomes, and the <br />health care and child care costs that are not covered because the company does not pay a <br />living wage. <br />Keith Cook said that the schools need to make sure they prepare students for jobs that <br />are coming to the County. <br />Jahn Link said that there should be a focus on items 'c' and `d' on pages 13 and 14, <br />which he would call the infrastructure of goad employment. He said that a temporary employee <br />in the County starts out at $10 per hour. In order for them to be able to afford hospital <br />insurance, they would need to make $13 per hour. That does not even include childcare or <br />other things. <br />Dianne Reid said that an Veterans Day, the Chamber took teachers on a tour of <br />businesses in Hillsborough, and she spoke at the lunch. This is the kind of thing they are talking <br />about institutionalizing. <br />7. Quality of Place Objectives and Action Steps -John DelConte <br />Quality of Place: Orange County will have thriving partnerships ensuring that the county is a <br />great place to live and work, attracting and retaining the creative community of innovators, <br />artists and civic leaders that will drive the desired economy. <br />• Enhance urban character by connecting and supporting existing plans for increasing the <br />commercial tax base and far revitalizing the downtown areas of Carrbara, Chapel Hill <br />and Hillsborough <br />• Enhance rural character by supporting local agriculture markets and supporting <br />complementary conservation and management tools <br />• Enhance historic character by supporting organizations' efforts to preserve and promote <br />historic structures <br />• Provide lifelong learning opportunities, from early childhood through senior citizens <br />• VIlelcome and promote greater inclusiveness and diversity <br />• Promote "hipness" by focusing an the uniqueness of each municipality and the county as <br />a whole <br />John DelConte said that a lot of times when people have something, they might not <br />realize what they have. He said that there is something good when the business community <br />borrows from structures and organic character issues in the community. <br />$. Questions/Comments and General Discussion <br />Chair Jacobs asked if the County could articulate, if Orange County was a product, what <br />it is that the County can offer. He asked for a synthesis out of this. <br />Russ Seibert said that this report is the start of a synthesis. <br />Keith Cook suggested an inviting brochure of what the County stands for. <br />Dianne Reid said that in the Quality of Place work group, there was a discussion of <br />having an Internet portal with the events of what the County has to offer. Articulating this would <br />be an important piece. <br />Chair Jacobs said that Orange County is different and can be marketed. The more it <br />can be articulated, the better the sales pitch will be. <br />