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11 <br /> <br />Travis Myren reviewed the following information: <br /> <br />Orange County Economic Development and Planning, in collaboration with Town of <br />Hillsborough, have also submitted a grant request to the Golden Leaf Foundation for partial <br />funding of the utility extension. More information regarding grant awards is expected in mid- <br />April of 2018. <br /> <br />Over the past 12 months, Orange County Economic Development responded to <br />14 separate investment prospect inquiries (light industrial, commercial, hotel, and warehouse) <br />by submitting real estate data on available sites and commercial buildings in the Hillsborough <br />market, to include Settlers Point, and generated 9 actual prospect visits during 2017. Several <br />of these projects remain active. <br /> <br />Throughout 2017, Orange County Economic Development managed the County’s <br />“Small Busine ss Loan” program to 6 existing businesses in Hillsborough, which comprised <br />77% of the County’s total small business loan activity for the year. <br />Local Hillsborough businesses that are currently receiving the County’s financial support <br />include: Accidental Baker, Bacon Meat Market, Beau Catering, The Cherry Peal/Cup A Joes, <br />Seal The Season, & MasterPeace Barbershop. <br /> <br />Over the past 12 months, the County also approved “Small Business Investment Grants” to <br />5 local Hillsborough small businesses, which comprised 37% of the County’s total business <br />grant activity for the year. The Hillsborough based grant recipients were: Judit Beres, Kyooks, <br />Boro Beverage, Beau Catering & Cardinal Workshop. <br /> <br />And for the same period, the County also approved “Agriculture Economic Development <br />Grants” to 2 local Hillsborough-based businesses, representing 32% of the County’s total <br />agriculture grant activity for the year: Patrick Purcell, & Garland Gourmet Mushrooms and <br />Truffles. <br /> <br />Chair Dorosin said this is a big issue, and the County would like to see collaborative <br />opportunities. He said the discussions regarding the Settlers’ Point development included <br />resident concerns about development in the area. <br />Chair Dorosin asked if the Town is at 40% commercial. <br />Margaret Hauth said it is closer to 50/50, depending on how the tax-exempt properties <br />are accounted for. <br />Mayor Stevens said all areas of the Town are being considered. He said there are <br />many business parks within the Town’s jurisdiction that have a positive impact, though not <br />always seen. He reviewed various commercial entities within the jurisdiction, as well as areas <br />that would benefit from improved connectivity. <br />Commissioner Price asked if the Hillsborough board could share its feelings about <br />Settlers’ Point in reference to Daniel Boone, as she has heard people complaining about the <br />negative impact on Daniel Boone Village. <br />Mayor Stevens said it is a concern, and one of the things about Orange County, in <br />general, is that long-term sustainable businesses are desired. He said Greenfields had an <br />impact, and pulled residents there for services/business. He said the concern is that <br />Hillsborough has done some economic development studies, which are taken with a grain of <br />salt, and there is room for additional grocery stores and retail in Town, which can serve a <br />broad section of the community; and a major shopping center that is on the edge of Town is a