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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD <br />January 10, 2023 <br /> <br />RambleRill Farm <br />913 Arthur Minnis Road <br />Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> <br />Minutes <br /> <br />Members Present: Sharon Hill, Tom Proctor, Jane Saiers, Dave Gephart, Estella Johnson, Kristen <br />Young, Barbara Jessie-Black, Elise Tyler <br /> <br />Guest Speakers: Jane Saiers & Kelly Crane <br /> <br />Orange County Staff: Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni, Mike Ortosky <br /> <br />Call to Order <br />The meeting was called to order by Sharon Hill at 11:40 a.m. <br /> <br />Approval of Minutes <br />A motion was made by Dave Gephart and seconded by Tom Proctor to approve the Minutes from the <br />November 8, 2022 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. <br /> <br />Open Discussion <br />The board members discussed their holidays and personal updates. <br /> <br />Old Business <br />Amanda Garner shared details from the WCHL radio Advertising Sponsorship event that was held in early <br />December. Sharon Hill spoke on the For’ Em on the Hill panel and provided information about Economic <br />Development and our grant programs. <br /> <br />Amanda reminded the board that the Advisory Board Annual Report & Work Plan is due January 27th. <br />She requested that the members try to offer activities and projects they would like to accomplish in 2023. <br />Dave Gephart asked about our total operating budget and Barbara Jesse-Black wanted to know if the <br />Advisory Board is allowed to lobby for Economic Development to get additional funding. Additional <br />funding would help with travel, recruiting businesses and possibly more grant funds. <br /> <br />New Business <br />Jane Saiers introduced RambleRill Farm and spoke about the categories they focus on (food, educational <br />programs, community events and nature-based experiences. She spoke about the upcoming workshops <br />for winter and spring and shared her passion for the Horticultural Therapy and Wellness Programs th at <br />will be expanding in 2023. <br /> <br />Kelly Crane introduced Farmer FoodShare to the board and spoke with us about what they do and how <br />they accomplish everything. Farmer FoodShare provides food from local farmers to businesses such as <br />Weaver Street Market and provides access to fresh foods for individuals with low incomes and food <br />insecurities. She spoke about farmers and how they need to make a living but without their volunte ers and <br />grant programs this non-profit would not be able to provide the food and help as many individuals as they <br />do. <br /> <br />Adjournment <br />Sharon Hill adjourned the meeting at 1:04 P.M.