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11 <br /> 1 new construction <br /> 2 <br /> 3 o The CFE will continue to learn more about environmental justice matters and <br /> 4 incorporate relevant information and considerations in the State of the Environment <br /> 5 report and its other activities <br /> 6 <br /> 7 o The CFE will continue to follow the Solid Waste Advisory Group's discussions of how to <br /> 8 improve the handling and disposal of Orange County's solid waste, and will advocate for <br /> 9 better long-term solutions <br /> 10 <br /> 11 o The CFE will continue to advocate for increased efforts to gather information related to <br /> 12 water resources in Orange County and to increase public awareness and understanding <br /> 13 of water supply sources, related concerns, and what steps can be undertaken to <br /> 14 maintain or improve the quantity and quality of Orange County water supply resources <br /> 15 <br /> 16 o The CFE will continue to address, as appropriate, the critical environmental issues for <br /> 17 Orange County as enumerated on page 3 of the 2014 State of the Environment report, <br /> 18 which include potential adverse effects from a) invasive, non-native, plant and animal <br /> 19 species; b) reductions in State-led collection of water resources data; c) potential drilling <br /> 20 for natural gas in the Deep River basin; d) urban sprawl; and CFE support for e) the <br /> 21 responsible deployment of clean and appropriately-sited renewable energy and <br /> 22 reductions in energy use to help fight climate change <br /> 23 <br /> 24 Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated that environmental justice has been folded <br /> 25 into the CFE plan. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 • Economic Development Advisory Board: Donald (D.R.) Bryan, Chair <br /> 28 D.R. Bryan said in 2015, the Advisory Board received 50 small business applications <br /> 29 and approved 28 awards, totaling $183,338.00 for the Small Business Investment Grant <br /> 30 program. He said in addition, the Agriculture Economic Development Grant program received <br /> 31 24 applications and approved 20 awards, totaling $157,178.49. <br /> 32 D.R. Bryan said in 2016, staff asked the Board to consider how Orange County should <br /> 33 be branded for Economic Development. He said the Board is considering a SWOT (strengths, <br /> 34 weaknesses, opportunities and threats) approach to assess and brand Orange County. <br /> 35 He said the Board also plans to look more closely at the Economic Development District <br /> 36 (EDDs), and the characteristics of each one. He said the EDDs were created 25 years ago. He <br /> 37 said the Board has asked staff about the possibility of having certified sites for industrial <br /> 38 recruitment. <br /> 39 Commissioner Rich said at the BOCC retreat Chair McKee and Commissioner Jacobs <br /> 40 requested an update on these issues, and the information is eagerly anticipated. <br /> 41 Commissioner Jacobs said Chair McKee suggested having a work session on these <br /> 42 issues. <br /> 43 Commissioner Jacobs said he would like to have more regular information about what <br /> 44 the Economic Development Advisory Board is discussing and considering. <br /> 45 Chair McKee said he sees a crucial tie between tourism and economic development. <br /> 46 He thanked the Board for its expeditious work on the grant programs. <br /> 47 D.R. Bryan said the Board spent a great deal of its efforts on the grants process. <br /> 48 Commissioner Rich asked if those who did not receive a grant are being encouraged to <br /> 49 reapply. <br /> 50 D.R. Bryan said yes. <br />