Minutes 04-23-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The County's Small Business Loan Program has granted seven (7) loans totaling $271,848.00 to small businesses located here in Hillsborough. This activity represents 58% of the total number of all loans extended, and 63% of all funds loaned to area businesses. The Hillsborough-based borrowers are as follows: • Orange County Gymnastics Tim Baker • The Depot Meleah Coleman • Phd Productions, LLC Patrick Groft • The Accidental Baker Kevin Mason • Mystery Brewing Company Erik Myers • MasterPeace Barber Mark Holt • Skram Furniture Jacob Marks (loan is now repaid) Steve Brantley said the Visitation Program has visited several dozen local businesses. He said these visits allow for feedback from the businesses, and for passing out loan and grant applications and forms. Steve Brantley said that for the first time, the Economic Development Office (EDO) has formally joined the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce. He said this membership had previously been a gratis one given by the Chamber. He said the EDO also paid for the County's membership. He said on May 20, 2015, the EDO will be the presenting sponsor at the Chamber's member breakfast. Kathleen Ferguson asked if there will be any marketing done for the Highway 70 corridor. Steve Brantley said his office needs to seriously think about marketing the Highway 70 corridor in support of Hillsborough. He said the tourism division has a very successful branding and marking element. He said, as they now have the staff and the funds, the Economic Development Office needs to do the same. Kathleen Ferguson asked if Steve Brantley has taken any business prospects to this area. Steve Brantley said yes. He said the area is very different from the Waterstone area, but it does have water and sewer and it is zoned so the EDO will be marketing more aggressively going forward. Steve Brantley said his office does not have any current prospects for the Waterstone development, but this area is being marketed as well. Commissioner Dorosin said that the location of water and sewer lines being connected to Homeland Security, and therefore needing to be protected, is nonsensical. He said this information is part of public record and should be made easily available. Steve Brantley said staff is being cautious. Commissioner Dorosin said some communities refuse to give sewer and water information due to security concerns. He asked if Hillsborough takes this position. Margaret Hauth said no, Hillsborough does not take that position. She said the only concern is that information be properly interpreted prior to being shared. She said the information is released by the engineer on a case by case basis, depending on the request. Orange County Arts Commission's Funding Support of the Town of Hillsborough's Artists, Arts Organizations and Schools Martha Shannon, Orange County Arts Commission, referred to the following information from the abstract: