Agenda - 03-29-2007- - Laserfiche WebLink

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Retention and Business Development Goal: To encourage business development in Orange County through entrepreneurship, business retention, and recruitment. Entrepreneurship: Current Year Objectives: Partner with UNC to explore creation of early seed fund and support technology transfer (High priority — Secure formal support for EDC strategic plan by March 2007; work with UNC Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic Development on plan to help retain spinoff ventures) Develop seminars for aspiring entrepreneurs (Low priority — many agencies currently offer such programs, continue to refer individuals) Retention and Recruitment: Current Year Obiectives: • Ensure that EDC is aware of upcoming space needs of existing businesses (High priority — enhance partnerships to provide advance information) • Focus on expansion of medium-sized industrial/manufacturing businesses (High priority — with partners, meet regularly with existing businesses to assist in their expansion plans) • Work with economic development partners and developers to position Orange County as a preferred location for identified desirable businesses (High priority — this is a multi-year effort; during upcoming year, establish strong network) • Establish business (including farm) visitation program with volunteers (Medium priority — in 2007-08, focus on industrial /manufacturing businesses, farms with high growth potential) • Expand Orange County Business Expo to include smaller and home-based businesses (Medium priority — expand volunteer base and rely on partners to achieve goal) • Buy Local campaign with business-to-business component, government purchasing preference (Medium priority — Multi-year goal, in 2007-08 explore model programs via internet, list serve research; bring proposal to BOCC by Spring 2008) • Explore UNCs program for historically underutilized businesses (Medium priority — Develop relationship with HUB office, work with partners to market program to local business owners) • Create Farm Linkage program (Medium priority — Continue work with group of volunteers to develop a program to aid immigrants with agricultural background and others interested in forming farm ventures; may be combined with farm incubator program) Marketing of Successes Goal: To make both internal and external audiences aware that "Orange County is open for business" Current Year Obiectives: • Close one (or more) small business loans through Orange County Small Business Loan Program (Highest priority — Proposal for revamping program to be presented to BOCC at March 13 meeting)