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<br />Introduction <br />The residents of Orange County are the County's highest priority. Orange County's <br />residents are growing increasingly diverse due to the influx of both immigrants and <br />emigrants to the Triangle region. It is estimated that regional population growth will increase <br />tenfold over the next decade. <br />Orange County's new immigrant populations bring important resources to the <br />community including a ready and able labor force for different industries such as <br />construction, restaurants, hotels, processing plants and the agricultural sector. In addition, <br />a growing number are entering professional fields, including law enforcement, medicine, and <br />education. Along with resources, changing communities bring challenges. One <br />consequence of the growing community is an increased demand for services from the <br />government. Delivery of these services may be difficult because of language and cultural <br />barriers. <br />Orange County is a leader in providing government services to under represented <br />communities, including Limited English Proficiency (LEP) communities. Orange County's <br />Immigrant Emergency Communications group received an award for its innovative work from <br />the North Carolina Association of Counties. Orange County Commissioners have adopted a <br />multilingual hiring policy and, just recently, Orange County hired the State's first LEP <br />Coordinator for a county government body. <br />The County continues to work to alleviate and eliminate the barrier between <br />government services and LEP communities. This report highlights the continuing efforts, <br />accomplishments and challenges which county departments encounter as they seek to <br />serve Orarige County's diverse population. <br />4 <br />