Item 1 - Boards and Commissions – Annual Work Plans-Reports

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11 (1/4 cent sales tax proceeds for economic development). • The advisory board also met on 3 occasions in 2017 support of the ongoing SWOT analysis (by the consultant Timmons Group) that is now wrapping up its' year -long review of the economic viability of the County's various business commercial nodes and 3 economic development districts. Those meeting dates in 2017 were March 31 (to interview the 4 finalist consultant groups to lead the SWOT analysis), followed by the August 23 & October 31 consultant presentations to the Orange County BOCC members. If board /commission played the role of an Element Lead Advisory Board involved in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan preparation process please indicate your board's activities /accomplishments as they may relate to the Comprehensive Plan's goals or objectives. • N/A Identify any activities this board /commission expects to carry out in 2018 related to established BOCC goals and priorities. If applicable, is there a fiscal impact (i.e., funding, staff time, and other resources) associated with these proposed activities (please list). • Continue to give close assistance to Orange County and the Economic Development Department with the SWOT analysis of the County's various s commercial nodes and 3 economic development districts. This assistance will include helping to review all submitted bids from consultants to the County's Request for Proposal, and help formulating various parameters in the actual analysis (for example, the development potential of sites to attract new businesses, and factors such as utility infrastructure and water /sewer volume capacity, realistic land sale prices or properties, topography & related geotechnical features, road access, and suggestions for desired targeted industry sectors and other business prospects). • Given the dramatic shift occurring in the food and beverage market, and the resulting disruptive effects in the existing and emerging food processing and manufacturing industry, the Advisory Board recommends that Orange County Economic Development's efforts embrace and capitalize on these global, national, and statewide trends, particularly the efforts outlined in the current North Carolina Food Processing and Manufacturing Initiative. The Advisory Board believes this will have positive effects on our local economy, create jobs, and diversify and strengthen local agricultural opportunities and the tax base. • Assist and advise the County on the recommended levels of retail, industrial, commercial and light manufacturing development to target for recruitment in the County's three (3) Economic Development Districts.