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17 <br /> <br />for this industry to grow. The Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center (PFAP) <br />has launched several successful businesses. Economic Development’s small grants and <br />loan programs have also helped many new farmers in Orange County. <br />• Small Business/Industrial Recruitment – In recent years, Orange County Economic <br />Development successfully recruited Morinaga America Foods to a site in Mebane for its <br />first U.S. plant and a Wegman’s Supermarket to Chapel Hill. The department has many <br />initiatives to attract new businesses and industries to the County. Grant and loan <br />programs are available for small businesses looking to expand or entrepreneurs who <br />are looking to start a new business. Durham Technical Community College also plays a <br />critical part in training students for careers in healthcare or advanced manufacturing. <br /> <br />Commissioner Rich said she would like to add the Food Council into the ‘Nexus of Local <br />Food System’ topic. She said there may be a common theme in all four topics, such as Article <br />46 funds. <br />Steve Brantley said not every example is listed, but this would allow many programs to <br />be explained and highlighted. <br />Todd McGee said the radio station will create 60-second stories about recipients of <br />Article 46 grants. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said he would also add the Lands Legacy Program to the ‘Nexus <br />of Local Food System’ topic, as it has protected so many acres of land, which has contributed <br />to keeping the food system viable. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said the Sportsplex should be added to the Recreation <br />Destination topic, at it is a huge draw to the area. <br />Chair Dorosin suggested having a component on the issue of wages and employment: <br />wages for school employees, low wage jobs in healthcare and childcare, etc. He said the <br />County is making great efforts towards promoting a living wage wherever possible, and it is <br />important to keep discussing how to continue this work. <br />Steve Brantley said there could be a Durham Tech education/work force development <br />topic, which could include more sophisticated business recruitment. <br />Commissioner McKee said this topic could be woven into all of these topics, and the <br />support for these enterprises drives a more successful business, which in turn allows the <br />business to pay higher wages. <br />Commissioner Jacobs agreed, and said it strikes him as strange that salaries are rarely <br />discussed. He said it may be useful to share the salaries that are earned within the different <br />topics and areas of the economy. <br />Chair Dorosin said he liked this idea. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he would like to see some time spent on the trades, and <br />how to prepare young people for the trades. He said the schools are doing a bit more, but it <br />may be a good time to push the conversation further. <br />Steve Brantley said his office is participating with the schools, especially with Orange <br />County Schools. He said Durham Tech also focuses on the trades. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said he is part of a homebuilders’ effort to spur the schools to <br />do more with building trades, and is currently working with students at Orange High School to <br />build a chicken coop. He said there is good money to be made working in building trades, and <br />youth should know this. <br />Commissioner McKee said there is great opportunity in the trades, and the work is very <br />difficult to export. He said he would like to highlight the County’s support for recruiting outside <br />economic development, as well as its support of existing local businesses. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if speakers will be found for each category.