Minutes 03-19-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner porosin thanked them for taking this issue on and he said one person who might be a good resource is David Caldwell from the Rogers Road community. • Economic Development Advisory Board - Donald (DR) Bryan, Chair and Steve Brantley DR Bryan said their board came before the Commissioners last month regarding the grant program. He said the recommended changes have been implemented, and this grant application process has gone live. He said the goal is to have quite a few applicants. He said the advisory board has a proposed subcommittee for the small business grant program, and names will be submitted for the Board of County Commissioners' consideration soon. DR Bryan said there is currently $200,000 in the business grant program and $160,000 in the agricultural grant program. Commissioner Rich asked how the public is being informed about the money that is available through this program. Steve Brantley said this information is on their homepage, and he will be working with Carla Banks on a County press release. He has sent an advanced copy to the other entities to place on their websites. He said he will also likely take out paid ads, and his office will be the initial point of contact for completed applications. He said the business investment grant documents would be given to the subcommittees. He said David Stancil will be doing an abstract with names from the Agricultural Preservation Board to serve on two of the five subcommittee positions there. Commissioner Pelissier asked about the streamlining of the review and permitting process and whether the advisory board will be making suggestions to the Commissioners and the planning board. She said she would love to get some suggestions. Chair McKee said he enjoyed meeting with some of the members of the advisory board to tour two of the economic development locations. He expressed appreciation for their efforts to increase the County's commercial base. • Historic Preservation Commission- Todd Dickinson, Chair/Peter Sandbeck Todd Dickinson said the commission is taking advantage of Peter Sandbeck's expertise to move forward with historic preservation in Orange County. He thanked the Board of County Commissioners for the matching grant, and he said they would be back for continued funding on the creation of a historic resources book. He said the Commission has moved closer to keeping an eye on the Hillsborough extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), which has not had any historic oversight in the past. He said funding will be needed for some inventory work there. He said they are hoping to get the Board of County Commissioners' approval in the near future to look at the old Orange County Courthouse. • Housing Authority - Jean Bolduc, Chair (This report was given at the February 3�d Board of County Commissioners' Meeting.) Jean Bolduc said the Board is nearly at full capacity, and there is only one seat left open. • Human Relations Commission - Gerald Ponder, Vice Chair ( and James Davis) Gerald Ponder said this is the most diverse and well balanced commission in Orange County. He thanked the Commissioners for their physical presence in attending the commission's many events, and he invited them to the community read on Monday night, at the Orange County Library from 6 to 8 p.m.