Minutes - 20071119 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bryant Colson said that the EDC is in the process of gathering the current status for the consultants far the Comprehensive Plan Update. Bob Ward asked about the process for recruiting for this position. Laura Blackmon said that the County has not advertised for this position yet but staff and the Board of County Commissioners have discussed it at a work session. She said that a focus is needed for the position first. The plan was for the EDC to give same direction on the focus of the position. Commissioner Foushee said that the EDC felt it had gained momentum with Dianne Reid, but with her leaving, she senses that the momentum has decreased. She said that there needs to be discussion about where the EDC wants to go and what has halted since Dianne Reid's departure and what is mast needed at this point. She said that the attributes the EDC has proposed are broad in the sense that they do not reflect what she believes is the philosophy of Orange County for economic development. Anita Badrock said that one of the things the EDC worked with was the strategic plan, and in this plan they identified some industries that they liked and disliked. She said that you have to start where projects are and how they are moving forward. Dianne Reid was good as a point person, which is important for those wanting to learn development in the county. She said that whoever is hired has got to be someone who will keep the wheels turning, and the EDC has faltered on this since Dianne Reid left. Mark Crowell said that he is the Associate Vice Chancellor far Economic Development and Technology Transfer at UNC-CH, and he is also the EDC's representative on the RTRP Board. He said that since Dianne Reid left, they are missing a strategic paint person and a person that the EDC could bounce ideas off of. He said that he received a good foundation from Dianne Reid about regional happenings. A vision person adds guidance and Dianne Reid advocated far the County. Bob Ward said that he believes that whoever comes into this job needs to help them to overcame the perception that Orange County is not open to development. Chris Hogan said that the main issue is that the County needs direction on economic development. He said that he does not want to be on the defensive with prospective clients. He said that the EDC does look to the Board of County Commissioners for direction. He said that his perception is that people are very interested in economic development and Orange County needs to jump an board. Orange County is in the middle of the state and two major corridors. He said that there is no direction at this point and the County is at a critical point. There are opportunities to take advantage of. He thinks that there is a better balance than the one that exists naW. Kathleen Yarborough said that the EDC discussed that they are tired of seeing growth and development all around Orange County but not in Orange County. She said that she lives in Orange County, but she does not shop or work in Orange County. She said that this is a disservice to Orange County. She said that the Economic Development Director should be one that will go out and recruit businesses in a strategic manner. Bryant Colson said that he thinks that there is agreement about strategic, controlled growth, but the dilemma is the vagueness of the direction since there is no director at this time. He said that the EDC does not know what type of growth is ok with the Board of County Commissioners. He said that there is something out there for Orange County that will provide a happy medium between strategic growth, green space, and the ability to pay the bills. He asked what kind of development was okay with the County Commissioners. Chair Carey said that all are correct to some extent, that the 88(14 ratio tells them that people like to live here and will continue to live here. He said that there are