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■ Co-sponsor Piedmont Laureate Program with arts councils in Durham, Wake & Alamance <br /> Counties. <br /> She reviewed several upcoming events. <br /> Chair Jacobs referenced the last item under goal #3, to resume public art projects on <br /> county property funded by annual CIP allocations, and asked about the allocations. <br /> Martha Shannon said that the Arts Commission was added as a line item to the CIP for <br /> public art projects about 8 years ago and had this funding for several years. She said the <br /> commission would like to have this re-instated if the Board will approve it. <br /> Chair Jacobs said there has been some discussion of this. <br /> • Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) Donald Bryan, Chair(with <br /> Economic Development Director Steve Brantley) <br /> Steve Brantley thanked the Board of County Commissioners for re-constituting this <br /> advisory board and he listed the member representatives. He said the board has met 5 times <br /> so far and moves around to different locations. <br /> Donald (D.R.) Bryan said this is a new board and one of the things that has been done <br /> is to look at the county and determine issues and areas of concern. He identified the following <br /> three issues: <br /> • Need to diversify the tax base <br /> • More sales tax dollars need to stay in the county <br /> • Need for job creation <br /> He said, regarding economic development districts along 85, the question is whether <br /> anything can be done to attract manufacturing facilities or retail, to increase job creation. <br /> He said the board is trying to support the existing sections of the economy - agriculture, <br /> arts and tourism. <br /> He said one issue is figuring out how to work with UNC and UNC Hospitals to make <br /> sure that, as jobs come out of those institutions, those jobs stay in Orange County. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if there are any women on the committee and several people <br /> answered, saying there are about 4-5. <br /> Frank Clifton said there is one vacancy on this board in the manufacturing sector and <br /> the board will be bringing forth prospective applicants in the coming months. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked the board to give the Board of County Commissioners <br /> their perception on how to keep the County moving forward, economically. He expressed his <br /> appreciation for the contribution and efforts of the board. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier asked, if the board would be reviewing some of the rules and <br /> regulations regarding streamlining the permitting process for economic development. <br /> Donald Bryan said this had not been discussed but that it can be done if the Board of <br /> County Commissioners would like to see this happen. <br /> Frank Clifton said there are several elements here, including the perception of anti- <br /> business. He said there was an analysis of economic development in Orange County, done by <br /> graduate and law students at UNC, and this will be shared with the board members. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if there was a strategic plan for retaining the graduates <br /> coming out of UNC and other local colleges and keeping incubators in Orange County. <br /> Steve Brantley said there had been a meeting this past week regarding UNC holding <br /> classes at Durham Tech to create opportunities for people to leverage assets with the <br />