Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
17 <br /> 1 Examples of Tourism Economic Development Collaboration Between the County & <br /> 2 Towns <br /> 3 The Orange County Arts Council actively supports artists in our Towns: <br /> 4 In partnership with the Hillsborough Arts Council, the Orange County Arts Council <br /> 5 hosted the 2nd annual "Paint it Orange: Plein Air Paint-out & Wet Paint Sale", as a <br /> 6 fundraiser for OCAC and HAC drawing artists from four states. <br /> 7 Served as part of leadership team in the coordination of the inaugural Orange County <br /> 8 LocalFest, which attracted approximately 1,500 visitors. <br /> 9 Working in partnership with Orange County Department of Parks and Recreation to <br /> 10 determine needs of new stage and event infrastructure in River Park, enabling the <br /> 11 venue to host more large-scale events. <br /> 12 Sponsored the annual River Park Concert, which drew approximately 4,000 to <br /> 13 Downtown Hillsborough. <br /> 14 Serving on Varsity Task Force to determine future of possibly performing arts venue in <br /> 15 downtown Chapel Hill. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 Alderman Slade referred to the 20-25 year debt service, and asked if this is from today, <br /> 18 or from when payments start. <br /> 19 Bonnie Hammersley said they started collecting in 2012, but debt service does not start <br /> 20 until the money is borrowed. She said all the money has not been borrowed, and it is currently <br /> 21 just under $1 million in debt service, and this is being done by 20 year limited obligation bonds <br /> 22 (LOBs). She said it will be satisfied in about 25 years. <br /> 23 Alderman Slade said he is curious to know when some of this money will be free to use <br /> 24 for better economic development. He asked if there is going to be an opportunity to see how <br /> 25 the investment into the infrastructure in the Buckhorn and Eno areas has been realized, prior to <br /> 26 investing in other Economic Development Districts (EDDs). <br /> 27 Bonnie Hammersley said that was discussed at the Board of County Commissioners <br /> 28 retreat last week, and staff will be looking into how to best go forward with the EDDs. <br /> 29 Alderman Slade encouraged the Board of County Commissioners to review the <br /> 30 investment in the current EDD before pouring money into other EDDs. <br /> 31 Alderman Slade said there is an opportunity to synergize with the emergency that is <br /> 32 represented by climate change, and studies show supporting locally owned businesses gives <br /> 33 back to the local community in so many ways. <br /> 34 Alderman Slade said Carrboro is not seeing any revenue from the cent sales tax, and <br /> 35 he said would appreciate recognition of this fact, and also looks forward to collaboration with <br /> 36 the County in getting more support on Carrboro economic development, and finding ways <br /> 37 where people can work without having to depend on cars and public transportation. He said <br /> 38 this opportunity may present itself in transition area 2. <br /> 39 Mayor Lavelle referred to the article 46 sales tax monies and economic development in <br /> 40 Carrboro, and said Carrboro is a small town with geographically limited economic development <br /> 41 opportunities. She said Carrboro's economic engine is downtown, and the Town wants the <br /> 42 Board of County Commissioners to think through this when considering ways to partner <br /> 43 together. <br /> 44 Alderman Seils echoed Mayor Lavelle's statement and said downtown Carrboro is an <br /> 45 EDD for Orange County. He said the Town is hopeful for more ways to collaborate with the <br /> 46 County to recognize that fact. <br /> 47 Mayor Hemminger said the LAUNCH funding is good for the entire county and more <br /> 48 companies are staying within their borders. <br /> 49 Commissioner Dorosin said this was the theme at the BOCC retreat: collaboration on <br /> 50 affordable housing, transit, and economic development. He said there are these obvious <br />