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Orange County Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes January 12, 2015 Carolina Inn Hillsborough, NC Present: Delores Bailey, D.R. Bryan, Lori Eichel, Jim Kitchen, Ron Keizer, Karen McAdams, Mark O'Neal, Mark Sherburne Staff: Steve Brantley; Yvonne Scarlett; Mike Ortosky Absent: Nicholas Thomas Review /Approve Minutes MOTION: Mark O'Neal motioned to approve the minutes of November 10, 2014; seconded by Mark Sherburne. VOTE: Approved unanimously. Old Business Status of Grant Program - Steve Brantley Brantley advised the Advisory Board that the Grant Program will be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioner at a work session on January 26, 2015 and asked members to attend to address the methodology of grant application process. Jim Kitchen, Karen McAdams, DR Bryan and Delores Bailey agreed to attend. Additional discussion included: • Review of document by other entities • Publicity campaign • Allocated funds from quarter -cent sales tax • Small Business Loan Program • Make -up of review committee o Agriculture Grant Committee (4 members) ■ Karen McAdams (Economic Development Advisory Board) ■ Carl Matyak (Cooperative Extension) ■ Two members of Ag Preservation Board ■ Mike Ortosky (Staff) Director's Report - Steve Brantley • Agriculture Economic Development Coordinator - Mike Ortosky was introduced and provided a brief overview of his background and experience. • Personnel changes in Economic Development office: • Ellen Tai has resigned and the Economic Development Specialist position will be posted in a couple of weeks. • Interviews will be conducted shortly for the Business Retention position. This position will focus on existing businesses (small and large) to address problems, expansion, etc. • Arts Commission's office has relocated from Chapel Hill to Hillsborough (down to hall from Economic Development office).