Agenda - 09-16-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 2 Proprietary Projects 3 Water and Sewer Utilities 4 Paul Laughton referred to the tab for Proprietary projects, beginning on page 65 of the 5 CIP binder. He said there are a couple of new projects and initiatives in year one, as outlined 6 below: 7 - Economic Development Infrastructure — this project reflects the FY 2013 -14 8 funding of infrastructure for the Morinaga Company, which consists of design for the 9 extension of water, sewer and roadway infrastructure to the site from surrounding existing 10 utility system and construction of the water and sewer extension. This project is funded by 11 $250,000 from Article 46 Sales Tax proceeds, and $750,000 in CDBG funds. This new 12 project also includes $50,000 in Year 1 for EDD zones right -of- way- accesses, and $50,000 13 in Year 1 for public - private participation in EDD zones and rural broadband related access. 14 15 - Economic Development Utility Extension Project(s) — provides funds of 16 $250,000 in Years 1 and 2 for future economic development projects that are currently 17 being considered, but have not been finalized. If no project develops in the coming year, 18 which requires utility extension, the funds would be available for future years as needed. 19 20 He said the $100,000 for the EDD infrastructure includes $50,000 for EDD zones, right 21 of way access, and $50,000 for public private participation in EDD zones and rural broadband 22 related access. 23 Craig Benedict said this $100,000 is a placeholder. He said the first $50,000 is set 24 aside to partner with an entity such as Piedmont Electric Cooperative, which can access rural 25 dollars. He said this creates the possibility of getting some broadband monies from the state. 26 He said this allocation is for seed money to entice private entities to put fiber into rural areas 27 prior to their business plan. He said there are needs for this broadband access in the rural 28 sections of the county. 29 He said the other $50,000 is there for the possibility of having opportunities to improve 30 economic development zones. He said the area north of I -85, south of the railroad tracks and 31 east of Buckhorn Road has only one access point. He said there are meetings happening with 32 community members about a possible extension of Industrial Drive from the west side to the 33 east side. He said this area is a prime railroad economic development zone with a lot of 34 industrial potential. 35 Chair Jacobs noted that there was an article stating that ATT was bringing high speed 36 wireless to the area. He asked if Orange County is in the loop with these discussions. 37 Craig Benedict said we are in the loop for wireless, but not wired. He said ATT is 38 adding additional towers or making connections on existing towers. He said ATT's plan is to 39 provide better wireless and data coverage in rural areas using towers. He said they are also 40 considering using fiber between towers to make better connectivity. He said there is no plan for 41 a network in the primarily urban area. He said some of the seed money is available for anyone 42 who would like to partner with the County to get into the rural areas. 43 Chair Jacobs said he is thinking of the economic development districts. 44 Michael Talbert said this is an initiative that Chapel Hill has taken on. He said the town 45 is part of consortium of 6 or 7 towns and cities that went out and requested proposals. He said 46 this could potentially be in competition with potential Google infrastructure that will come later. 47 He said ATT wants to get into this area. He said this is primarily targeting high density areas, 48 but there may be some benefit and the possibility of connecting to it if it comes right up 1 -40. 49 Chair Jacobs said even if it was the Hillsborough EDD it would still be in an economic 50 development district, and it would join up the UNC Hospitals and Carolina North to Hillsborough.