March 12, 2024 Minutes Approved - Laserfiche WebLink

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broadband is not captured in the plan even though they are all related to economic development. Amanda said that those would be something we can build out in our own plan. Kristen also asked why there are no performance measures for adding sports and entertainment spaces. Amanda reminded the board that the Orange County Land Use Plan 2050 process is ongoing and provides a great opportunity for feedback from individual advisory board members. Amanda shared our department's purposed budget for FY24-25. She briefly shared highlights of the Advertising Campaigns with Triangle Digital Partners and WCHL for both of the Grant Programs, which will be getting an annual increase of 5% over the next five years from the Article 46 fund. Amanda gave an overview of the grant program and highlighted the ad campaigns that have been running over the past year. The number of minority and women-owned grant awards has increased with 35% of total awards in FY 2023 given to minority owned businesses and 54% of total awards given to women owned businesses. For Ag grants it was 28%total awards to minority owned farms and 40% of total awards for 2023 given to women owned farms. The board discussed the grant guidelines and suggested changing the business investment grant program to match the Ag grant guideline and make it a maximum of$10,000 in 3 year period instead of 2 year period. The members discussed adding more metrics such as the business's growth in sales or employment for applicants that are coming back for second or third grant. Hasan volunteers on the Housing Department's Advisory Board and wanted to discuss the possibility of a joint meeting with a couple of members so discuss a proposed collaboration. Hasan will check to see if there are folks that are interested in joining a future meeting and having 15 minutes to present their ideas. Adjournment Kristen Young adjourned the meeting at 1:05 PM