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Economic Development - continued <br />Prepared economic development publications on small businesses and the local economy (free, upon <br />request). Continued work on marketing efforts and infrastructure improvements for all Economic <br />Development Districts (EDDs). Site data sheets were developed for sites in the EDDs. BOCC <br />approved rezoning of 700 acres and awarded a $4.2 million water /sewer contract, for EDDs. <br />Performance Measures <br />2010 -11 <br />Actual <br />2011 -12 <br />Actual <br />2012 -13 <br />Budget <br />2012 -13 <br />Projected <br />2013 -14 <br />Budget <br />Service: Attract new economic opportunities, to Orange County. <br />Number of Request for Information (RFI) <br />to commercial prospect inquiries. <br />N/A <br />1 <br />35 <br />35 <br />40 <br />Change in visitor frequency (developers, <br />prospects, businesses) from prior year <br />0 <br />5% <br />10% <br />10% <br />25% <br />Service: Market Orange County's business advantages through business development and job growth. <br />Web contacts <br />56,000 <br />75,000 <br />125,00 <br />100,000 <br />125,000 <br />Number of businesses <br />3,652 <br />3,793 <br />3,850 <br />3,850 <br />3,900 <br />Orange County employment <br />64,429 <br />65,908 <br />65,000 <br />65,000 <br />68,000 <br />Service: Provide guidance and resources to new, ex a ding and relo ating businesses. <br />Small Business and Technology <br />Development Center local clients <br />164 <br />225 <br />225 <br />225 <br />225 <br />Small Business Loan <br />(approvals /applications) <br />3/7 <br />2/5 <br />4/8 <br />4/8 <br />5/8 <br />Percentage increase of existing business <br />(visitation /interview ) <br />N/A <br />10% <br />10% <br />10% <br />25% <br />Service: Increase the economic vitality of Orange County through leveraging of partnership with NC <br />Department of Commerce. <br />RFIs submitted to the Department of <br />Commerce <br />N/A <br />1 <br />10 <br />10 <br />35 <br />Current Projects <br />N/A <br />N/A <br />1 <br />1 <br />1 <br />Service: Foster recruitment and retention of a skilled workforce - attract skilled workers to match <br />requirements of key industries. <br />Unemployment Rate <br />6.7% <br />6.7% <br />6.2% <br />6.2% <br />6.0% <br />Workforce <br />64,429 <br />65,908 <br />65,908 <br />65,000 <br />68,000 <br />FY 2013 -14 Objectives <br />Increase the percentage of corporate inquiries and prospect visits, by 15% each. <br />Refine the department's marketing materials, advertising outreach, and networking and increase <br />generation of business prospects within the county's Economic Development Districts. <br />Develop new ways to encourage agricultural economic development and leverage the county's <br />tourism assets toward business recruitment. <br />Increase the number of Orange County Small Business Loan Program applicants and loans <br />approvals. <br />Budget Highlights <br />Note: The Article 46 Quarter- Center Sales Tax has its own section within the budget document, <br />which outlines tax - funded economic development initiatives. <br />M1 <br />