Minutes - 20070329 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

She said that there is a very aggressive schedule with the planning process with Chapel Hill. The plan is to be in the building by December 2008 and construction will begin December 2007. She said that the staff has been incredible in accommodating this expedited review. Commissioner Jacobs painted out that the timeline is driven by the fact that the University has told the County to be off of its property by December 2008. Sustainable Economic Development a. Update on EDC Strategic Plan and Overview of Work Plan for 2007-2008 Economic Development Director Dianne Reid distributed a copy of the EDC's strategic plan. She said that the process began in January 2004 with an Economic Summit. This led to the formation of four work groups -Business Climate, Infrastructure, Workforce Development, and Quality of Place. Overview of Orange County Economic Vision Overall Goal: Create 5,000 new private sector jobs and increase the assessed value of non-residential property by $125 million in Orange County by June 2010 Business-focused strategies: Business Climate: Publiclprivate partnerships will have farmed to create a stronger business climate and Orange County will have a clear set of guidelines, standards, and procedures designed to sustain and nurture existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and attract targeted employers. Infrastructure: Infrastructure will be in place to support the County's economic development goals of increasing the commercial tax base and retaining and attracting targeted businesses. {Main goal to work with Durham to get water and sewer in Eno EDD). lNarker-focused strategies: Workforce Development: Effective systems will be in place to train and support residents and those who work in Orange County. At least 75 percent of new jabs in the County -for both new and expanding businesses -will be filled by County residents. Quality of Place: Orange County will have thriving partnerships ensuring that the County is a great place to live and work, attracting and retaining the creative community of innovators, artists, and civic leaders that will drive the desired economy. Dianne Reid said that, comparing 2005 to 2004, there was a net increase in private sector jobs of 915. In terms of tax base, the commercial tax base increased by $48 million from 2004 to 2005. b. Discussion of Economic Development throughout the County Dan Coleman said that the Carrboro Board of Aldermen sent a letter to Orange County about the State of the Local Economy Breakfast. He said that their position is that it is wrong to have this breakfast an a weekday from 7:15-9:00 a.m. when a small portion of the citizens are able to attend, and it is wrong to charge $30 for citizens. He said that the local economy belongs to everyone and this event should be more inclusive.