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• Host meeting for and with commercial realtors to refine system of listing commercial property on EDC web site and ensure that information is current and continuously updated (High priority -Meeting will be scheduled for late Spring 20Q7) • Secure marketing guidance/support to get out message that Orange County is "open for business" (Low priority -Will require outside consultants; sense that we should focus on success this year, consider marketing in future years} • Expand the hours of Agricultural Economic Development Coordinator (Law priority -Will require additional financial commitment from County; work toward this goal in FY2008-09) • Pursue certification of EDC as "Accredited Economic Development Organization" (Medium priority -Because of the time commitment required to accomplish this, suggestion that we tackle if time permits in current year) Chair Carey said that he is interested in the loan pool and he appreciated information on this. Commissioner Gordon made reference to page five and the buy local campaign being a medium priority. Also, on page seven, there is an "eat local" campaign. She said that this needs to be a high priority. She said that the public does not really understand the multiplier effect and haw buying local helps the County. She said that there is a whole theme here and the efforts should be linked and made a high priority. Dianne Reid said that the County does have partners with this -the Chambers, Southern Neighbor, etc. Laura Blackmon supported what Dianne Reid said and that the local chambers can take this and run. She said that most of the focus of the EDC has been to develop what is already here, expanding those businesses, and bringing more businesses in. Commissioner Gordon said that the public needs to understand that Orange County should be the first place to look to buy, to eat, to hold meetings, etc. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to "approaching other governments regarding desirable businesses and infrastructure goal," and said that he drives in Hillsborough and it seems to him that if you are talking about retail, Hillsborough is the only one of the jurisdictions that does not have an entity that helps it to recruit. He said that it would make more sense to start here rather than trying to work with Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to see Durham Tech's curriculum related to Orange County's needs. He wants the County to be a leader in teaching sustainable design. He does not know if this has been received. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to "investigating retail development opportunities within the County," and said that with TDR, he hopes that the EDC would engage more actively regarding this. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to buying local, and said that Orange County can set an example as a government without waiting for the Chambers ar anyone else. He would like to actively and aggressively look at ways to buy local. He said that there has been a passive approach up to this point. Regarding small business loans, he wants more information about why non-profits cannot get small business loans. Commissioner Foushee agreed with more aggressively campaigning for buying local. She made reference to the purchase of a new GIS workstation and said that she sees this as more of a marketing incentive. She asked for an elaboration on the plan and the budget implications.