January 13, 2026 Minutes Approved

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD January 13, 2026 Orange County West Campus 131 W. Margaret Lane, Room 004 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Minutes Members Present: Joy Mercer, Estella Johnson, Emilee Collins, Dave Gephart, Sharon Hill, Lisa Kaylie Elise Tyler, Ivy Taylor, John Kim Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni Guest Speakers: Scott Czechlewski Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Emilee Collins at 11:35 a.m. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Dave Gephart and seconded by Sharon Hill to approve the Minutes from the November 11, 2025 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Guest Speaker Emilee Collins introduced our guest speaker, Scott Czechlewski, CEO of the Hillsborough Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Scott shared his background within other communities and gave a brief update on what the Chamber has been working on (re-branding, new logo, updating website, marketing materials, building stronger relationships with the towns, elected officials, the Visitor's Bureau as well as other Chambers). Scott mentioned their Strategic Plan which included more visibility for members, an online digital guide and membership directory as well as special events in the community (Halloween, Holiday Parade &Tree Lighting, Gingerbread houses, Pictures with Santa, Candle stroll, and Ladies Night Out) Scott spoke about the Carolina Health Works which launched in November and has had a conservative reaction but is a plan to help small businesses with healthcare needs. He also spoke about the Women's Board and how important networking with other local areas will be moving forward as well as upcoming projects such as a survey on diversity and a workforce study. New Business Amanda Garner provided an overview of the grant program guideline changes that we need the boards input on and mentioned the vacant seat on the grant review committee that we still need to fill. The members discussed changing the requirement for employers who are applying for a grant to strive to pay a living wage. The board also discussed whether software, training, licensure, and certificates were eligible use of funds under inventory & supplies and decided that software would be but the remaining would not be. The committee also discussed the option to allow for a larger grant award to be approved one time per fiscal year. Amanda also informed the board that moving forward all small business grant applicants must have a pre-application meeting with a staff member of the Orange County Economic Development department before an application is submitted. Director's Report Steve Brantley spoke briefly about the Annual Report &Work Plan due Friday January 16th. He requested that any feedback from board members be submitted by EOD Wednesday. Steve informed the board that Joy Mercer's first term would be expiring June 30t" and she is interested in serving a 2nd term. A motion was made by Sharon Hill and seconded by Elise Tyler to endorse Joy for a 2nd term so Steve will recommend she be reappointed in his memo to BOCC.