Minutes - 20071119 - Laserfiche WebLink

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strategic plan, but he wants to keep an eye an the main goals in the plan. He said that the Board of County Commissioners wants the advice of the EDC on economic development. Jim Evans asked about the process for hiring the new director. Laura Blackmon said that the process she has used before has included using the advisory boards and staff. She has a job description for the position and she distributed this. Mark Crowell said that there is a University Economic Development Association that is starting to get more active in North Carolina. Commissioner Gordon asked if the EDC supports the strategic plan and all agreed. Commissioner Foushee said that it was interesting to her that the EDC had discussed incentives. She said that incentives come in all kinds of packages and Orange County has missed opportunities and she does not want to continue this legacy. It has been helpful to her to hear that there have been discussions about incentives. Chair Carey suggested that the EDC put thoughts on paper for the Board about incentives and other ideas. Laura Blackmon said that there needs to be a policy for Board of County Commissioners adoption with regard to incentives, etc. Jim Evans said that the issue of incentives is a complicated subject but there is a need for an Economic Development Director to lead the charge to learn best practices. He said that the EDC cannot do this with an advisory board meeting once a month, without a point person. Bryant Colson thanked the Board for meeting with the EDC. Bab Ward said that he has been on the EDC far five years and this is the first time they have met face to face with the Board of County Commissioners. He said that this was a long time coming and needed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. Moses Carey, Jr., Chair Donna S. Baker, CMC Clerk to the Board