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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No 1:X-$ ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November ,l, 1994 SUBJECT: Orange County Participation in Research Triangle Regional Partnership DEPARTMENT Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING YES NO X ATTACHMENT(S) INFORMATION CONTACT RTRP Resolution John Link, ext 2300 RTRP Map Ted Abernathy, ext 2325 10/21/94 Memo w/EDC Resolution TELEPHONE NUMBER RTRP By-laws Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Mebane 227-2031 Durham 688-7331 PURPOSE: To consider adopting a resolution for Orange County to join the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) , to appropriate funds for first half year membership, and to consider appointments to the RTRP Board of Directors. BACKGROUND: During the 1994 Short Session, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified Senate Bill 1505. Section 28.7 of that bill directed the Department of Commerce to establish regional organizations for promotion and expansion of economic development. The bill expanded the Raleigh-Durham Regional Association from 3 to 13 counties for the promotion of regional economic development ( 14 counties were initially assigned but Montgomery County was reassigned to the Triad Region) . The mission of the new organization, the RTRP, is to "cooperatively market and promote the Triangle Region for the economic benefit of its communities. " The first year budget for the RTRP is $829,342. The State is providing $565, 150 in funding for this budget through allocations to the participating counties. By joining the RTRP, Orange County' s allocation of just under $6,000 will be dedicated to the organization. Should Orange County elect not to participate, that allocation would revert to the State. As of October 15, all the other counties have voted to join the partnership. The three central Counties (Orange, Wake, and Durham) are being asked to appropriate funds equivalent to 15 cents per capita to the RTRP. For the first half year of operations, Orange County' s contribution would be $7,050. Local private groups and the other 10 counties will also be contributing. In future years, it is expected that contributions from the central counties would increase to 30 cents per capita. Orange County would receive three seats on the RTRP Board of Directors, including two seats on the Executive Committee. One board seat is designated in the RTRP by-laws for Orange County' s Economic Development Director. The Board of Commissioners would consider appointments to the other two seats at a future Commissioners' meeting.