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INTERIM REPORT <br /> Frank M. Kivett <br /> An Interim Report to the Carrboro Economic Development Corporation on <br /> the formati n of an Orange County Economic Development Program. <br /> f <br /> Upon examination of the Industrial and Economic Development Programs in <br /> more than one-third (1/3) of the Counties in North Carolina it is clear <br /> that most counties have an active economic development program, one that <br /> is supported with public funds, and a program that is staffed on a full <br /> time basis to meet the competition of surrounding counties in attracting <br /> new business investments and industrial employment to their communities. <br /> This research, along with information obtained through conversations <br /> with Industrial Development Representatives of the North Carolina Commerce <br /> Department, Ilead only to one conclusion. <br /> CONCLUSION: If Orange County is to compete effectively with Industrial <br /> and Business Development efforts of surrounding conties, <br /> a County-wide Organization, with both public and private <br /> support, and staffed on a full time basis, is essential. <br /> Information gathered in support of the above conclusion was not intended <br /> to be an exhaustive study of all economic development programs in the <br /> • counties of North Carolina, but an indication of the public and private <br /> support for such programs over the State. Information was gathered on <br /> programs within 35 of the 100 Counties and the following percentages <br /> reflect significant findings in these programs. <br /> 43% of the County Programs are operated by private agencies. <br /> 57% of the County Programs are Public Agency Programs. <br /> 947. of the Programs receive Public Financial Support. <br /> 067. of the Programs are supported with Private Funds only. <br /> Virtually all counties have some type of economic development program which <br /> is supported with public funds. Many contribute directly to programs that <br /> are operated by a private agency such as a Chamber of Commerce, while some <br /> counties join with other counties to form multi-county programs under the <br /> efforts of a regional council of governments or regional economic development <br /> commission. 1 Some counties support indirect programs through one of the <br /> multi-county] agencies while supporting directly a fully staffed county <br /> economic development agency. <br /> An Economic Development Commission is the most prominent public agency <br /> providing industrial and business development service and Chambers of <br /> Commerce area the most prominent private agency. The 'Central City' <br /> Chamber of Commerce may serve the entire County, or there may be a County <br /> wide or City-County Chamber of Commerce. There are also Committees of 100 <br /> as well as industrial Commissions. <br /> II <br />