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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD <br /> May 14, 2024 <br /> Bonnie B. Davis Building <br /> 1020 US-70 West Room #104 <br /> Hillsborough <br /> Minutes <br /> Members Present: Sharon Hill, Estella Johnson, Barbara Jessie-Black, Tom Proctor, Kristen Young, <br /> Elise Tyler, Hasan Abdullah <br /> Members Not Present: Johnny Morris, Dave Gephart, Jane Saiers <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 11:35 a.m. <br /> Approval of Minutes <br /> A motion was made by Sharon Hill and seconded by Tom Proctor to approve the Minutes from the March <br /> 12,2024 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. <br /> Old Business <br /> Kristen Young presented the Sharon Hill and Barbara Jessie-Black with a Certificate of Appreciation for <br /> their years of service on the board. <br /> Steve Brantley informed the board that Dave Gephart has resigned from the board so there will be a 4th <br /> vacant spot on the board. Steve will draft a Memo to the BOCC by Friday May 17th recommending the 3 <br /> applicants who were previously endorsed by the board. A motion was made by Tom Proctor and <br /> seconded by Sharon Hill to hold off on endorsing a 4th candidate from the current applicants so that the <br /> board members have more time to recruit additional applicants. The motion passed unanimously. <br /> Steve briefly presented the County Manager's recommended budget to the BOCC. He mentioned the tax <br /> increase and property revaluation. He told the board that our department will begin the process to pursue <br /> bids on a new Strategic Plan for Economic Development. Amanda Garner discussed that we will need to <br /> decrease our advertising campaigns for the grant programs and Barbara Jessie-Black suggested that we <br /> connect with Innovate Caroline Junction (Small Business Center) as well as NC IDEA. <br /> New Business <br /> Elections were held with a quorum. A motion was made by Sharon Hill and seconded by Barbara Jessie- <br /> Black to nominate Estella Johnson as Secretary, Elise Tyler for Vice Chair and Kristen Young as the <br /> Chair for FY24-25. All motions passed unanimously. Estella also mentioned that she would like to <br /> volunteer to be on the grant committee. <br /> Barbara Jessie-Black spoke to the board about Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging. She mentioned <br /> that many organizations are new to use this and training their employees. She expressed how this is <br /> important and feels it should be required for our board to explore, learn and educate themselves on the <br /> country's history and help move Economic Development forward to help influence our county. <br /> Estella Johnson mentioned that she volunteers with the Justice United organization and would like to see <br /> us help the Hispanic community as well. Kristen Young asked about a paid vs. corporate opportunity for <br />