Minutes 03-18-2025-Business Meeting

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40 PUBLIC COMMENT: Wendy Smith said she is the Executive Director of the Arts Center. She said she is a native of Chapel Hill. She said that Tourism is a big business in Orange County. She said that she is one of the former owners of Cameron's. She said that the county has a Visitors Bureau that brings the community together, keeps them updated on trends, and spends time scouting for new sources of business through advertising, marketing, and direct sales. She said the Franklin St location allows them to help people six days of the week. She said that she supports the Arts Commission Board and the Visitor's Bureau. Ashley Nissler said she has served on the Arts Commission and the Orange County Arts Alliance for about 12 years. She said that due to the occupancy tax they have been able to grow the work the Arts Commission does and invest in staff. She said they have paid more than 500 artists for work done. She said that the occupancy tax has made it possible for events like the Uproar Festival for Public Art. She said that it is an economic driver during slow summers. She said having served on both boards, she said they are thankful for the occupancy tax funding and the need is even more than the allocation allows. She said they will continue serving and engaging the community and invited the Board to visit the Eno Arts Mill. Richard Ellington said he is the President of the Chapel Hill Historical Society. He said it is important for people to know the history of Orange County. He said that our community would not be the same without visitors to Orange County. He said when Orange County was created it contained all or a portion of what is now 13 counties. He said the Visitor's Bureau brings culture, economic opportunity, and magic to the community. He said they have worked with the Visitors Bureau to create walking tours, lectures, and events. He said they have a QR code trail, and it provides history so that they know where we have been so we can be cautious of where we might end up. Meredith Sabye thanked Commissioner McKee for coming to the fire department breakfast. She said she is the co-founder of the Center of Regenerative Agriculture and the owner of Blue Hill Coffee. She said the Visitor's Bureau has been integral in connecting them to the community. She said she has served on the Visitors Bureau for a year and a half. She said they can see the positive and encouraging results from the efforts. She said that people are seeking unique destinations and experiences. She said that tourism helps the many small businesses. She said agri-tourism is critical to the long-term success of the farming community. She said visitors love Orange County and come from all over the world to be part of what they have in this region. She thanked the Board for their continued support for the Visitor's Bureau. Lili Engelhardt said she is a former member of the Visitors Bureau. She said she serves on the diversity community to create a marketing campaign of BIPOC friendly businesses to show the world the inclusive and welcoming community that they are. She said she is a strong supporter of tourism in the community as economic development. She said according to the NC Department of Commerce, tourism in Orange County had solid growth in 2023 and a 13% growth rate in visitor spending from the previous year. She said the state average is 6.9% and Orange County has almost doubled the state average. She said tourism supports almost 2,000 jobs in Orange County. She said tourism generates over $10 million in state tax revenue and over $8 million in local tax revenue. She said tourism generates benefits in many areas. She said it supports families and taxpayers and local businesses. She asked for the Board to continue their support of the Visitor's Bureau. Commissioner Greene asked for clarification on the origins of the conversation about Visitors Bureau fund balance. Travis Myren said this came from a proposed budget amendment during the FY25 budget discussions about applying some of the occupancy tax funds as a suggestion by Commissioner Hamilton.