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052 <br /> I. INTRODUCTION <br /> Now is an advantageous time for Orange County to plan <br /> for economic development. Economic development can help the <br /> county expand its tax base to support public services for <br /> the growing population, as well as creating more and better <br /> jobs for current residents and stimulating locally-owned <br /> enterprises and small businesses. Careful planning will <br /> enable the county to preserve the unique attributes that <br /> make it such a desirable place to live, while insuring that <br /> sufficient land is available for economic development. <br /> II. APPROACH <br /> This study will seek answers to the four questions <br /> posed in the Board of Commissioners May 4 resolution. We <br /> will review published materials and as necessary consult <br /> with national organizations (and their local members) such <br /> as the National League of Cities, National Association of <br /> Towns and Townships, National Association of Counties, and <br /> National Council for Urban Economic Development, to see how <br /> other local governments have dealt with the questions facing <br /> Orange County. We will make use of materials in the <br /> University of North Carolina 's Department of City and <br /> Regional Planning library, Institute of Government, and main <br /> library, including: standard planning references and <br /> economic development texts; journals; economic development <br /> materials published by the Urban Land Institute and other <br /> organizations; economic development plans prepared by <br /> cities, counties, and regional agencies; U. S. Census and <br /> North Carolina statistical reports. We will also consult <br /> experts at UNC, particularly the Department of City and <br /> Regional Planning, as needed during the course of the study. <br /> Specifically, our approach to each of the four <br /> questions is as follows: <br /> QUESTION 1: SUGGEST ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS OF <br /> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> An operational definition of economic development must <br /> emerge from a consensus on economic development goals and <br /> objectives for the county. Acceptance of a general set of <br /> goats can lead to agreement on more specific ob lec t ives, <br /> which can begin to define the kInds_ of _development the <br /> county seeks. That, in turn, can help paint a picture of <br /> what economic development will mean for the county in <br /> physical , or land use, terms. <br /> The process of establishing goals and objectives and <br /> defining the kind of development the county seeks (i . e. <br /> rnm- <br />