Agenda - 03-20-2018 8-a - Minutes

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11 1 Throughout 2017, Orange County Economic Development managed the County’s 2 “Small Business Loan” program to 6 existing businesses in Hillsborough, which comprised 3 77% of the County’s total small business loan activity for the year. 4 Local Hillsborough businesses that are currently receiving the County’s financial support 5 include: Accidental Baker, Bacon Meat Market, Beau Catering, The Cherry Peal/Cup A Joes, 6 Seal The Season, & MasterPeace Barbershop. 7 8 Over the past 12 months, the County also approved “Small Business Investment Grants” to 9 5 local Hillsborough small businesses, which comprised 37% of the County’s total business 10 grant activity for the year. The Hillsborough based grant recipients were: Judit Beres, Kyooks, 11 Boro Beverage, Beau Catering & Cardinal Workshop. 12 13 And for the same period, the County also approved “Agriculture Economic Development 14 Grants” to 2 local Hillsborough-based businesses, representing 32% of the County’s total 15 agriculture grant activity for the year: Patrick Purcell, & Garland Gourmet Mushrooms and 16 Truffles. 17 18 Chair Dorosin said this is a big issue, and the County would like to see collaborative 19 opportunities. He said the discussions regarding the Settlers’ Point development included 20 resident concerns about development in the area. 21 Chair Dorosin asked if the Town is at 40% commercial. 22 Margaret Hauth said it is closer to 50/50, depending on how the tax-exempt properties 23 are accounted for. 24 Mayor Stevens said all areas of the Town are being considered. He said there are 25 many business parks within the Town’s jurisdiction that have a positive impact, though not 26 always seen. He reviewed various commercial entities within the jurisdiction, as well as areas 27 that would benefit from improved connectivity. 28 Commissioner Price asked if the Hillsborough board could share its feelings about 29 Settlers’ Point in reference to Daniel Boone, as she has heard people complaining about the 30 negative impact on Daniel Boone Village. 31 Mayor Stevens said it is a concern, and one of the things about Orange County, in 32 general, is that long-term sustainable businesses are desired. He said Greenfields had an 33 impact, and pulled residents there for services/business. He said the concern is that 34 Hillsborough has done some economic development studies, which are taken with a grain of 35 salt, and there is room for additional grocery stores and retail in Town, which can serve a broad 36 section of the community; and a major shopping center that is on the edge of Town is a 37 concern. He said it is not a hard line, but there is concerns about the potential impact of the 38 Town, and whether a desire for immediate commercial growth will ultimately hurt the overall 39 economic growth of the Town. 40 Commissioner Price asked if Margaret Hauth is working with Steve Brantley. 41 Margaret Hauth said it is up to the property owner as to what uses are brought forward, 42 especially in district 2 of Settlers’ Point. She said all are supportive of district 1, but the retail 43 component of district 2 is more challenging. She said the Town has shared its interests and 44 concerns with the developer, and if what the developer says will come to pass actually does; 45 there should be no negative impact on Daniel Boone. 46 Town Commissioner Lloyd said the Town has tried to bring some commercial entities to 47 Waterstone, but the developers keep bringing in more townhouses; and thus what is happening 48 in Settlers’ Point should not have a negative effect on Daniel Boone. She said she is also 49