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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 12, 2024 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 2 <br /> SUBJECT: Request to Jointly Fund a Position to Support Black, Latinx, and Refugee <br /> Owned Enterprises <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> A. Funding Request Letter Travis Myren, (919) 245-2308 <br /> B. Supplemental Information from the <br /> Chamber President <br /> PURPOSE: To discuss a request from The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill Carrboro to <br /> partially fund a full-time community advocate to support the growth of new and existing Black, <br /> Latinx, and refugee owned businesses and provide direction to staff on next steps. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill Carrboro recently submitted a request <br /> to the County Manager's Office to jointly fund a Chamber employee to support the growth of new <br /> and existing Black, Latinx, and refugee owned businesses. Under the proposal, Orange County <br /> would contribute $30,000 per year to support the position for three years. The other funding <br /> partners would be the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, and the Chamber. The Town <br /> of Chapel Hill would contribute $30,000 annually, and the Town of Carrboro would contribute <br /> $20,000 annually. Both of those commitments would be for three years. <br /> The attached request from the Chamber explains the key position responsibilities, intended <br /> outcomes, and proposed budget. The Chamber also provided supplemental information on the <br /> status of contracting with the Towns and responses to questions posed by staff. <br /> Although the County does not have a position dedicated to support Black, Latinx, and refugee <br /> owned businesses, County departments involved in economic development emphasize marketing <br /> County programs and services to non-white business owners. <br /> • The Department of Economic Development has increased marketing efforts for its small <br /> business and agriculture grant awards including several grant application presentations to <br /> EMPOWERment's cohort members attending classes at Midway Business Center. <br /> • Economic Development routinely introduces small businesses to free financial counseling <br /> services offered by Durham Tech's Small Business Center, SCORE, UNC's Small <br /> Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC), EMPOWERment, and similar <br /> providers. The Department's website includes a section titled "Minority Business <br /> Resources" that is intended to promote economic advancement of minority businesses. <br />