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Orange County: Buckhorn Village <br />Orange County's workforce is employed in retail and accommodation and food service sectors <br />than comparable counties. <br />Every economic development project has associated costs and those costs are reviewed in <br />this report. The cost to Orange County's public services (public safety, infrastructure) is limited <br />to a short time frame as the City of Mebane is planning to annex the area within one year of <br />construction initiation or at Certificate of Occupancy. There will be minimal cost during the <br />short time Orange County is responsible for public services. Impact on schools due to new <br />housing is also limited. Retail and hospitality wages are not "bread-winning" or "relocation" <br />wages. Except for a few management positions, people will likely not relocate for these jobs. The <br />planned 200 multi-family residential units associated with the development, if occupied by new <br />residents with school-aged children, will have a minor impact on Orange County schools. A <br />review of environmental permits shows that other than standard development permits, the project <br />will require no special air or water quality permits beyond adhering to `Neuse River Rules.' <br />In addition to the direct tax impacts described above, there are indirect benefits of <br />economic development projects. In the case of Buckhorn Village, infrastructure extensions will <br />open an economic development zoned area for future growth. This area has been designated in <br />the County's land use plan for commercial and industrial development since 1981. There will <br />also be economic spin-off to small businesses and entrepreneurs who can provide services to the <br />development such as landscaping, security, and maintenance. <br />Orange County, like most North Carolina communities, is keenly focused on sustainable <br />development and creating a live, work, play community. The leakage of retail dollars indicate <br />that Orange County citizens are driving to neighboring communities to shop. Creating retail <br />centers in the County will keep more residents shopping local while keeping local retail sales <br />Sanford Holshouser 3 <br />