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21 <br /> Commissioner Hamilton said she would appreciate seeing the return on investment. She <br /> said there may be other types of businesses that may bring higher wage jobs or other benefits. <br /> She said she would like to know if the county can indicate the types of businesses they are <br /> interested in to preserve the quality of life. She said that it is important to protect natural <br /> resources as well. She said she would like to understand the relative impact of those <br /> developments. <br /> Steve Brantley said a return-on-investment paper was created by his office in 2021 and <br /> he will circulate that to the commissioners. He said it shows how Article 46 funds have been <br /> used along with various grants. He said Orange County controls zoning and utility lines, but that <br /> the county does not own the land. He said there is a very large infrastructure cost for anyone to <br /> buy the property and develop it to try to make something happen. He said that the flea market <br /> site of 130 acres, the acquisition cost alone would be 14 million dollars before any infrastructure <br /> is added. He said that none of the property is zoned heavy industrial and that the relatively high <br /> cost of land and development automatically screens out a low wage company. He said the <br /> paper will be updated before he provides it to the commissioners. <br /> Chair Price said all of the development currently occurring is happening on Steve <br /> Brantley's watch and efforts. She said the tax base has increased, which helps keep property <br /> taxes from rising as quickly. <br /> Commissioner McKee said decisions the Board makes will affect the next 40 years and <br /> how the county develops. <br /> Commissioner Fowler asked how ABB is doing recruiting for employees. <br /> Steve Brantley said that Orange County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in <br /> the state. He said that job competition is extreme. He said Medline is on track to have 250 jobs <br /> filled by opening day. He said ABB will hire 400 jobs over time. He said the pandemic affected <br /> the timeline for companies to hire and train. <br /> 3. Agricultural Preservation Board —Appointments Discussion <br /> The Board discussed appointments to the Agricultural Preservation Board. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Agricultural Preservation Board is charged to promote the economic and <br /> cultural importance of agriculture in the county, and to encourage voluntary preservation and <br /> protection of farmland for future production. <br /> The Board of County Commissioners appoints all 15 members, including eight (8) At-Large <br /> members, and one (1) member from each of the seven (7) Agricultural Districts in the county. <br /> The following applicants are recommended for Board consideration: <br /> NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION <br /> DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE <br /> TERM <br /> An'ail Taylor At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2024 <br /> Elizabeth At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2024 <br /> Hooten <br /> Michael Hughes At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2024 <br />