Agenda - 03-22-2016 - 6-a - Minutes

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1 2 Collaboration Between Orange County, Town of Hillsborough, & Hillsborough/Orange 3 County Chamber of Commerce 4 • In 2015 Orange County Economic Development funded an event in support of the 5 Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce's special membership breakfast 6 that brought in guest speaker Chris Chung, C.E.O. of the State of North Carolina's 7 Economic Development Partnership. Orange County also favorably responded to a 8 sponsorship request by the Chamber related to the Riverwalk nighttime movie series. 9 • The County & Town currently conduct "pre-development" meetings with new retail and 10 commercial business ventures planning to locate in Hillsborough, by convening 11 members from Orange County Planning & Inspections Department, Economic 12 Development, Health Department, the Town's Planning staff, Fire Marshal, Zoning & 13 others. One example of new Hillsborough firm that benefitted from the pre-development 14 meeting process is Colorado Burrito Restaurant. The Town and County are going to be 15 coordinating more on similar initiatives as part of a more comprehensive customer 16 service friendly approach to new development in Hillsborough. 17 • The Planning & Inspections departments for the County & Town are working together on 18 new projects that wish to become a part of the local business community, such as the 19 ongoing Bellevue Apartment project in West Hillsborough, the purchase option by a 20 confidential business for the 89,000 square foot warehouse on Eno Street, and the now 21 public news of a Sheetz convenience store & gas station that has submitted a building 22 permit with the County. 23 • Increased interaction is occurring among economic development partners with the 24 Town, County, and Chamber. 25 26 Shannan Campbell, the new Hillsborough Economic Development Planner, said that 27 Steve Brantley covered many of their collaborative efforts. 28 Commissioner Ferguson asked if staff could elaborate regarding sites and land 29 inquiries. 30 Steve Brantley said the County does not have an extensive inventory of large buildings. 31 He said the few that do exist are the Southern Season location, flex space at Eno River 32 Development, Meadowlands, Valley Forge Road, and some offices on Churton Street. He said 33 Waterstone is the premier site, as well as sites at highways 86 and 57; and sites south of 1-40, 34 where there is water, but no sewer yet. He said sewer would need to go under 1-40. 35 Commissioner Ferguson referred to the high profile sites, and asked if those businesses 36 interested in these sites would have 50-100 employees. 37 Steve Brantley said yes, but there is also retail and hotel interest in Waterstone. 38 Commissioner Ferguson asked if there are any other sites besides Waterstone, which 39 can be used to attract 50-100 level employers. 40 Steve Brantley said there are a couple, one of which is next to the steel chainsaw site, 41 and another is the quadrants next to Waterstone. He said Hillsborough has a diversity of sites. 42 Commissioner Price asked if inquirers seek particular assets, or if reasons have been 43 given when Hillsborough is not the location chosen by a company. 44 Steve Brantley said this business is competitive, and it takes a long time for businesses 45 to look around for sites. He said businesses are looking here, in adjacent counties, and around 46 the country. He said Orange County has a lot to offer. 47 Commissioner Price asked if businesses are seeking rooftops, ready made sites, or 48 lower land prices. 49 Steve Brantley said he hears a persistent desire for more hotel opportunities and 50 believes these will happen going forward.