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7 <br /> 1 Slide #11 <br /> An Invitation o Commissioners <br /> Please join our staff for a tour of our county's <br /> Economic Development ■ _ <br /> -Mo <br /> E6ONI�N1� DE^aELQ As I/EraT ti0 Y'18 r°.. <br /> 2 <br /> 3 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if businesses that are established can get help with <br /> 4 strategic planning and growth. <br /> 5 Kristen Smith Young said that SBTDC is the best resource for established businesses. <br /> 6 She said it is housed at UNC-Chapel Hill. She said that Innovate Carolina is where all of the <br /> 7 economic development resources are housed and that their website has a lot of information <br /> 8 available. She said LAUNCH Chapel Hill and Studio are also great resources. <br /> 9 Commissioner Greene thanked the board for including the agricultural food processing <br /> 10 grants. She also wished Kristen Smith Young a happy birthday. <br /> 11 Kristen Smith Young said they had pie at their retreat to celebrate. She said that Jane at <br /> 12 Ramblewood Farm hosted the Board for one of their meetings. <br /> 13 Chair Bedford asked if they have had more success with diversity and Black farmers <br /> 14 receiving grants. <br /> 15 Kristen Smith Young said that the Small Business Committee has prioritized marketing <br /> 16 opportunities to BIPOC businesses. She said they have also included that discussion during the <br /> 17 grant process. She said they were fortunate to have Shameka Fairbanks to come speak with them <br /> 18 about an equity goal and being better about marketing to BIPOC businesses for these <br /> 19 opportunities. <br /> 20 Commissioner Richards said she requested that SizeUp include a designation that allows <br /> 21 people to search for BIPOC businesses. <br /> 22 Amanda Garner, Assistant Economic Development Director, said they are pulling data <br /> 23 sources for integrating with what they have. <br /> 24 Commissioner Richards said the tool is amazing, but it would be great to have one place. <br /> 25 She said if it can do basic things it would be helpful. <br /> 26 Sharon Hill of the Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau said it is an agency funded <br /> 27 by hotel occupancy taxes. She said that the tourism revenues are nearing 2019 levels. She said <br /> 28 most dollars go to food and beverage establishments. She said visitor spending in 2012 was as <br /> 29 follows: <br /> 30 <br />