|
2 . Economy efforts should be made to promote a local
<br /> farming economy as well. Finally,through w : lik
<br /> Goal 1: Support a Diverse Economy economic development that focuses on Great- • i 1 r
<br /> that Meets Local Needs ing an employment base with jobs that pay a ' .I_ x r Z:11 ', '' '
<br /> Orange County is fortunate to have a very living wage,and providing training for such
<br /> strong economy,partly due to the County's opportunities,we can decrease the disparity 4 ,p'il'#t 4:
<br /> location within the Research Triangle area between the wealthy and poor.
<br /> and the presence of UNC in Chapel Hill.
<br /> However,to have a healthy economy it is To achieve and support this diverse econo-
<br /> important i.
<br /> for the County to encourage busi- my,SOCF has made several recommenda- ti
<br /> ness diversity,with a balanced mix of large tions. These range from actively recruiting
<br /> commercial/industrial operations and small desirable businesses that meet set criteria, ,,, '�1'
<br /> businesses. Since agriculture is an important seeking funding to support :�,
<br /> g g pport sustainable busi- `� .',. * s
<br /> part of the County's character and history, nesses,supporting farming activities, and w
<br /> expanding services provided by the Skills
<br /> Development Center. Strategies that can be „,.
<br /> used to further these efforts include: [
<br /> F
<br /> • forming apublic/private task force to de- ,� '� j
<br /> it termine which businesses the County should . . R
<br /> 1 - attract, , d
<br /> FBI fi. • providing flexible development regula- '' "'
<br /> III
<br /> '' dons to desirable businesses,
<br /> •_, �� . • assisting farmers with protection against
<br /> •nuisance lawsuits,tax incentives, and the veloping a center with hands on techni-
<br /> .,,� r creation of an Agriculture Center, and cal skills education.
<br /> 3 . Housing of all people should be a top, countywide ensure safe,quality housing,and assist low
<br /> Goal 1:Ensure Availability of Afford- priority. income individuals to develop an asset base.
<br /> able, Quality Housing Strategies to carry out these recommenda-
<br /> To address this goal,several recommenda- tions include:
<br /> Local housing policies that address afford- tions have been developed:encourage public • encouraging the support of a range of
<br /> ability and quality and help all citizens ob- and private initiatives to provide and develop housing options, including homeless emer-
<br /> tain these necessities,are crucial to Orange a wide range of affordable housing options, gency housing,single room occupancy units, 1
<br /> County's quality of life and economy. Hous- and low income homeownership opportuni-
<br /> ing affordability and the ability of families
<br /> to own a quality home,and thereby build an
<br /> ties,
<br /> asset base,are critical issues. In our society, ,„ • encouraging UNC to provide employees
<br /> affordable homes on university land and to
<br /> where the income gap has been steadily in- - increase the amount of student housing on
<br /> creasing, expanding the ability of residents to
<br /> campus,
<br /> buy a home is a fundamental and important supporting the development of a land
<br /> step to narrowing this gap.A wide mix of
<br /> housing types and options is needed for the { _ 1 trust, and
<br /> County, and the provision of safe,durable, L increasing funding for housing rehabilita-
<br /> County,
<br /> affordable housing that meets the needs tion.
<br /> 4. Human Services sure that quality child care is available to all issues is crucial in determining the quality of
<br /> children, and address child care affordability. life the citizens enjoy.
<br /> Goal 1:Ensure Availability of Afford- Strategies to achieve the goal include:
<br /> able. Quality Child Care • creating affordable(sliding scale)after Several recommendations have been estab- I
<br /> Our children are our future,and the quality school and summer programs, lished for this goal,including eliminating
<br /> of care they receive will greatly affect their • encouraging businesses to adopt parental child and partner/spousal abuse,continuing
<br /> health and well-being,thus impacting our leave policies,starting with the County and and enhancing community policing efforts,
<br /> community. As the number of children liv- town governments as a model, and improving fire protection, and promoting
<br /> ing in households where all parents are work- • working with the legislature to develop family disaster preparedness. Strategies that
<br /> ing outside of the home increase,so too will public funding for child care,similar to K-12 can help attain this goal include:
<br /> the reliance on child care increase. Along levels. • developing a public relations campaign
<br /> with the quality of child care, affordability that focuses on eliminating abuse and pro-
<br /> is a major issue. Most families in Orange Goal 2:Promote Public Safety moting positive relationships,
<br /> County cannot afford the full cost of child Public safety involves many different areas, • expanding and encouraging neighbor-
<br /> care and costs are rising. including crime prevention,fire protection, hood watch programs and community polic-
<br /> A couple of recommendations have been and emergency management. How effec- ing,and
<br /> made to address the issues of child care:en- tively the County deals with each of these
<br />
|