Minutes - 20071119 - Laserfiche WebLink

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some job sectors identified in the strategic plan that are suitable for Orange County, but the EDC was appointed to advise the Board of County Cammissianers. His opinion is that there are very little incentives to change the status quo. Commissioner Foushee said that if the strategic plan does not address what the EDC feels is the direction the County should be going, then it needs to be reevaluated. She said that the direction has been given, but the question is how to go about acquiring the businesses. If the strategic plan is no longer the map, then it must be changed. Mark Crowell asked Laura Blackman and Willie Best to give a thumbnail of the strategic plan so that all are on the same page. Laura Blackmon suggested making copies for everyone. Commissioner Gordon asked if the EDC supported the strategic plan. Anita Badrock said that she thinks they should start at a point of intersection, which is the EDD's. Perhaps a new Economic Development Director could look and see if the EDD's are still in the right place. Nothing will happen in these EDD's unless the County takes a risk. Also, she thinks that the County needs a predictable development process. She would like to say to a potential preferred business that the project could be put an a fast track for approval. She thinks that the strategic plan targeted the preferred businesses pretty well. Commissioner Nelson arrived at 6:50 p. m. Chair Carey said that the County needs an Economic Development Director who can do the equation to focus on the lost opportunity costs as well as the incremental costs of economic development. There are questions of whether or not to recruit businesses, how aggressive to be, and whether there should be incentives. Tony McKnight said that the EDC needed understanding from the Board of County Cammissianers and they did not knave the Board's perspective. He said that it was goad that the Board wanted to hear from the EDC. He said that one of his big issues is that jobs need to be created so that people can live and work in Orange County. Jim Evans said that the EDC talked extensively at its retreat about the differences between economic development in Orange County and other parts of the state. In other rural counties, there is one point person for all things regarding economic development, but in Orange County, there is an Economic Development Director in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, the Chamber of Commerce, and the University. He said that whoever comes in for Orange County will have to work in tandem with the other economic development directors and make sure that there is no competition. He said that the Orange County Director will have a broader perspective. The director can provide feedback and talk to prospective businesses about why they chose or did not choose Orange County. Chair Carey filled Commissioner Nelson in about the discussion. Mark Crowell said that when he travels in his University role and sees universities in regions that are doing well, they usually talk about recruiting, retaining, and growing companies. He thinks that this would be a good focus for Orange County. He thinks that the new director should understand the "growing" part. Anita Badrock said that the EDC has discussed incentives as a group, but they do not want to throw good money after bad. At the same time, it is a very competitive environment. She said that there are creative ways to develop incentive packages. She said that one of the perceptions of Orange County is that it will not discuss incentives and people shut the door without even trying. The new Economic Development Director needs leeway in this area. Chair Carey said that the EDC does know what Orange County needs and can do based on the strengths. He said that there is not time tonight to ga through the