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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD <br /> November 14, 2023 <br /> Piedmont Food Processing Center <br /> 500 Valley Forge Road <br /> Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> Minutes <br /> Members Present: Sharon Hill, Tom Proctor, Dave Gephart, Kristen Young, Hasan Abdullah, Jane <br /> Saiers, Johnny Morris, Elise Tyler, Estella Johnson <br /> Members Not Present: Barbara Jessie-Black <br /> Guest Speakers: Eric Hallman, Sue Ellsworth, Scott Czechlewski <br /> Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni <br /> Call to Order <br /> The meeting was called to order by Kristen Young at 11:50 a.m. <br /> Approval of Minutes <br /> A motion was made by Johnny Morris and seconded by Sharon Hill to approve the Minutes from the <br /> September 12, 2023 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. <br /> Director's Report <br /> Steve provided an update on various announcements and active updates in Orange County. He also <br /> spoke about the County's Strategic Plan and encouraged the members to complete the survey that is <br /> available <br /> New Business <br /> Kristen mentioned that board members should send us any additional comments for the Advisory Board's <br /> Annual Report&Work Plan that will be due in January. Lindsey reminded the members that their annual <br /> Disclosure statements are due in December and hard copies were available to complete during the <br /> meeting. Lindsey also requested that the board members send suggestions in for future meeting <br /> locations, topics and guest speakers for 2024. <br /> Guest Speakers <br /> Sue Ellsworth introduced the committee members to her own organization WE Power Food <br /> https://www.wepowerfood.org/ which is a Non Profit organization that helps inspire women to start and <br /> grow their food businesses in the Piedmont and North Carolina. Sue works closely with the women- <br /> owned businesses at Piedmont Food Processing Center to mentor them and provide them with the <br /> resources they need. Eric Hallman spoke with the committee about how Piedmont Food Processing <br /> Center got started and what they offer. He explained types of packaged foods, catering and meal prep, <br /> storage, as well as some success stories on how some companies have and will expand and grow into <br /> nationally recognized brands. The committee learned and asked questions about the incubator space <br /> and some of the companies who work there as well as regulatory agencies they work with. <br /> Adjournment <br /> Kristen Young adjourned the meeting at 1:00 PM <br />