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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-14-1996 - VII-A 1 i ORANGE COUNTY 4 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT MEETING DATE: May 14, 1996 Action Agenda Item # SUBJECT: Economic Development Strategic Plan DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: Yes X No Economic Development BUDGET AMENDMENT NEEDED: Yes_NoX ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Abernathy (ext. 2325) Strategic Plan for Economic Development - Comments from 'TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Commissioners Gordon & Crowther Hillsborough - 732-8181 (Pages 2-14) Durham - 699-7331 Mebane - (910) 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501 Purpose: To receive public comment on the updated Economic Development Strategic Plan. Background: On April 18, 1995, the Board of County Commissioners appointed a citizen committee to update the 1989 Economic Development Strategic Plan. The group received a charge to update the 1988 Data Scan, to produce an environmental scan of existing programs, to review the 1989 Plan and identify areas of accomplishment and areas that need additional work, to promote a broad discussion of major economic development issues, and, finally, to prepare and recommend an Updated Strategic Plan. On February 5th, the final plan was presented to the Board of County Commissioners. The Plan was received and it was recommended that the public be asked to provide comment. Commissioners Gordon and Crowther have provided comments which are included as an attachment. A Recommendation: The Manager recommends that the Board receive comment, make any modifications it wishes and adopt the Plan. If the plan is adopted, staff will prepare an implementation timeline and budget for the Board at a later date. 2 SUSTAINP_vG A QUALITY COMMUNIT17 THROUGH BALANCED ECONOMIC GROWTH STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MISSION STATEMENT Our purpose is to ensure the desired quality of life in Orange County by encouraging economic development through investment in human resources, the expansion of existing businesses, and the creation of diversified and environmentally safe businesses. The aim of this investment is to provide jobs for county residents and to increase the non-residential tax base, thus enhancing the quality of life and contributing to the financial well-being of Orange County residents and their local governments. 3 • LOCATION AND TYPES OF NON-RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT The goals listed below are to provide guidance to the County and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) staff concerning appropriate locations for non-residential activity. In addition, general guidelines for desirable types of businesses and a statement of corporate citizenship will help the EDC as it develops other strategies. Location of New Non-Residential Development ► Should be located near unemployment and underemployment concentrations ► Should be encouraged within new County economic development districts ► Should be encouraged within existing and anticipated municipal boundaries at designated locations ► The EDC should seek opportunities for revitalization of Midway area and work with municipalities to expedite needed infrastructure improvements. ► Orange County, the EDC, the Town of Carrboro, and the Town of Chapel Hill should continue to participate in the University's master planning process for the Horace Williams tract. ► Limited expansion of rural nodes should be explored by the EDC and Orange County Planning if supported by the local Township Advisory Council and if uses support the local community. ► The EDC should encourage rehabilitation, preservation, and adaptive re-use of existing non-residential structures. Types of Non-Residential Development ► Generally, a wide variety of uses should be encouraged at appropriate areas. ► Emphasis should be on businesses that serve and employ the local populace. ► The EDC should strongly encourage all local governments to work together to be proactive in providing service and outreach to all existing businesses. ► The EDC should encourage agro-businesses, recycling industries, local artists, and technology transfer. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: The EDC should encourage small to medium sized agriculture-related businesses including forestry, recycling industries, local artists and technology transfers.) 4 ► Home-based businesses should be encouraged and supported by the EDC. (DELETE THE ABOVE) • ► The EDC should encourage sustainable business, including those that serve local needs and complement and relate to existing business. ► The EDC should encourage small business/technology incubation. ► The County should protect existing small-scale agriculture and agricultural product operations county-wide through appropriate zoning rules and regulations. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: The County should protect and promote existing small and medium scale agriculture and agricultural product operations county-wide through appropriate zoning rules and regulations.) (ADD: The EDC should encourage businesses that make a positive fiscal impact on local governments in Orange County.) Planning ► The Chapel Hill Northwest Area Plan, the Chapel Hill Downtown Small Area Plan, the Carrboro Plan, and the UNC Horace Williams Plan should be encouraged to reflect the goals of this Strategic Plan. Statement of Corporate Citizenship The EDC should encourage businesses to be good "corporate citizens". Good corporate citizens enhance our community through employment practices: • Hiring local workers • Providing training and promotion opportunities for all workers • Providing wages and benefits adequate to the well-being and dignity of all workers • Providing a safe, clean, and healthy work environment • Provide family friendly benefits that support employees such as maternity and paternity leave, childcare, and daycare Good corporate citizens enhance our community through environmental responsibility: • Using local or nearby sources for goods • Minimizing use of resources (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: Minimizing use of natural resources, including water resources.) • Using recycled content products wherever possible • Using energy efficiently with an emphasis on renewable energy and passive solar • Supporting opportunities for access for employees and customers by foot, bicycle, and public transit • Avoiding the production and use of hazardous waste or other forms of pollution ► Recognizing adaptive re-use and preservation of existing structures Good corporate citizens enhance our community through land use practices: 5 • Minimizing impervious surface and run-off • Minimizing total land use • Helping to preserve green space and contiguous forest areas Good corporate citizens enhance our community through financial activity • Purchasing supplies and services locally • Utilizing local financial institutions and capital Good corporate citizens enhance our community through support of community activity: • Supporting community agencies • Supporting volunteerism and community involvement among employees • Supporting and participating in community events and celebrations u INFRASTRUCTURE Infrastructure deals with hard issues and is critical to any strategic plan for responsible economic growth. Water, sewer, and solid waste management services as well as transportation, power and communication capabilities are all essential elements for modern enterprises to succeed. Proper planning strategies for Orange County's economic development require that these services be both competitive and economical for our community. Water and sewer provision and solid waste management are often more location specific, whereas roads, mass transit, and the public utilities providing power and communications usually are regional in nature. Plans for their provision must consider this difference. It is imperative that adequate infrastructure be available to all non-residential developments. Furthermore, all planning related to its provision should consider the economic advantages inherent in its provision with respect to our county as well as our neighbors in surrounding counties. The role of the EDC is to actively promote the following goals and to initiate action where indicated or appropriate. Water and Sewer ► The EDC should ensure a water and sewer plan is developed to extend services to the economic development districts. ► The quality of our watersheds should be maintained through land use planning. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: The quality of watersheds and ground water should be maintained through all appropriate methods, including land use planning.) ► The ability of our streams to safely accept treated waste water should be studied to ensure adequate sewer capacity. ► A program to re-use "gray" or reclaimed water should be developed to increase capacity. ► Service area boundary planning and current recommendation should comply with existing water and sewer policies and should be supported. 7 A system of inter-connections between all water suppliers should be completed. • (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: A system of inter-connections between all water suppliers within Orange County should be in place for emergency use.) ► The EDC should work to fund the Utility Extension Fund by re-investment of repayments from projects of the Fund, and the Fund should be increased at an accelerated rate. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: The EDC should work to fund the Utility Extension Fund by re-investment of repayments from projects of the Fund, and the Fund should be increased.) Telecommunication System Goals ► All provider companies should be encouraged to keep up with technology. ► Region-wide extended area calling is a goal. ► Local planning organizations should pro-actively address the need for telecommunication equipment and facilities. Road Goals b. A by-pass around Hillsborough is a high priority. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: A western bypass around Hillsborough is a high priority.) ► The EDC should insist on the planned expansion of support roads to economic development districts. ► The EDC should support and encourage regional planning. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: The EDC should support and encourage regional transporation planning.) Mass Transit Goals ► Mass transit should be encouraged whenever possible, done in conjunction with changes in the Land Use Plan. ► The EDC should work with appropriate groups to develop long-term plans for mass transit service to the Economic Development Districts. (ADD THE FOLLOWLNG: To reduce reliance on the single passenger automobile, the EDC should support efforts to develop alternative modes of transporation, including pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths, car pooling and van pooling, as well as public transit.) cs (ADD THE FOLLOWING: The EDC should work with appropriate groups to provide the needed transporation of people to work and to education and training centers.) (CHANGE THE ABOVE 2 SECTIONS TO ONE COMBINED SECTION TITLED TRANSPORTATION GOALS AND INCORPORATE CHANGES AS NOTED) Solid Waste Goals ► Regional solid waste options should be part of our long-term strategy. ► The EDC should actively promote that non-residential uses be planned and encouraged adjacent to landfills. ► Recycling goals, when justified, should be established and implemented. y • BUSP^ESS ASSISTANCE, RETENTION,AND CREATION The Orange County Economic Development Commission should aggressively encourage the start-up, retention, recruitment, and expansion of businesses, especially small businesses, within Orange County. The role of the EDC is to encourage and assist service providers, to be a service provider, and to act as an ombudsman and advocate for issues that affect business. ► The EDC should act as a clearinghouse for small business information and encourage a full range of services, while discouraging duplication of services. ► The EDC should develop a marketing plan to distribute small business information with a goal of reaching all Orange County businesses every two years. ► Orange County should eliminate barriers that hinder small business' use of training. ► The EDC should continue funding existing programs like the Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Women Business Owners'Roundtable and develop new programs to address specific concerns as needed. ► The EDC should support existing micro-enterprise programs and fund outreach to citizens not normally reached. ► The EDC should provide linkages between government, citizens, and the local business community. ► The EDC should recognize the rapid growth of home-based businesses and assist them with their special needs. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: The EDC should recognize the rapid growth of home-based businesses and assist them with their special needs as long as local ordinance standards are not compromised.) ► The EDC should expand financial options by developing an Orange County loan pool for small business. ► The EDC should work with other organizations to continue and expand efforts to promote "shop local" programs. ► The EDC should pro-actively encourage new businesses that will further the goals of this plan. ► The EDC should work to expand the total land and buildings available for non-residential use in both County and municipal jurisdictions, to provide opportunities for location of business and to increase the overall supply, thereby reducing the cost. 10 ► Orange County should encourage commercial zoning as part of new University tract planning to encourage job generation and the generation of fees in Lieu of taxes. ► The EDC should work to streamline the regulatory processes with the goals of (1) insuring public input, (2) reducing uncertainty, (3) shortening time from application to answer. The EDC staff should develop materials to help businesses understand local rules and regulations. ► The EDC should encourage development of"flex space" in appropriate locations. ► The EDC should collect and maintain economic and business information and provide it to local government, businesses, and the general public. 11 AGRICULTURE The goals of rural preservation which encompass the conservation of prime farmland, the scenic vistas of agricultural landscapes, the family farm tradition, and the economic viability of agriculture in Oran ge County are best served by keeping farming profitable. To ensure integration of agriculture into the County's economic strategies, a partnership between agriculture and economic development should be created achieve new opportunities for agriculture-related businesses and the creation of new markets and products for existing agricultural concerns. ► The EDC should encourage a study to determine the financial viability of farming in Orange County. The study should focus on ways to improve the financial position of farmers and should include but not be limited to: low interest debt financing, tax options, local subsidies, and planning options related to development rights. A comprehensive survey of local agricultural business should be part of the study. ► The EDC should work in cooperation with Cooperative Extension, Natural Resource and Conservation Service, and the Planning Department to develop an outreach program to inform local citizens about the value and needs of agriculture. ► The EDC should support the efforts to build a Rural Education Center. The Center can be the focal point for community information regarding agriculture. The Center can also be a iL L resource for farmers to learn marketing techniques, diversification strategies, and other skills to take advantage of new agricultural opportunities being created by changes in local and world markets, the county's growth, and changing demographics. It can also be an economic stimulus for the county, capable of being the home for horse& cattle shows, landscaping shows, rodeos, and public and private meetings. ► The EDC should publish and widely distribute an Orange County Farm Resources Booklet to inform the public of farm products and services, including schedules for pick-your-own farms, farmers market schedules, and local agricultural heritage and craft shows. ► The EDC should support the designation of an agriculture advocate to serve-as a focal point and conduit for the agriculture community. ► In conjunction with Cooperative Extension, the EDC should develop an outreach program to insure farmers are aware of financial and training options. ► The County should focus attention on the preservation of historic and scenic landscapes identified by the historic commissions within the county. 13 HOUSING The county economic development goal for housing is to find ways to preserve and increase the supply of housing available for sale or rent to families and individuals with incomes at or below 80% of the county median income. ► The County should continue funding for existing organizations that produce affordable housing such as Habitat for Humanity, Orange Community Housing Corporation, and the Inter-Faith Council. An effort should be made to commit local funds every year equivalent to one cent of the county tax rate. (CHANGE THE ABOVE TO: The County should continue funding for existing organizations that produce affordable housing such as Habitat for Humanity, Orange Community Housing Corporation, and the Inter-Faith Council. An effort shoudl be made to commit significant local funds every year.) ► The County should support local organizations that pursue federal funds for housing rehabilitation. ► The EDC and the County should encourage the Landfill Owners Group to reserve a significant portion of the Greene Tract for affordable housing. ► The EDC and the County should encourage UNC to reserve a significant portion of the Horace'Williams Tract for affordable housing. ► The EDC should support ongoing efforts to determine new ways to ensure additional affordable housing, including inclusionary zoning, transfer taxes, or local bond referenda. ► The EDC should support a program that mitigates the costs of school impact fees by creation of a fund to reimburse developers who construct affordable housing. ► The EDC should support efforts to ensure that new affordable housing remains affordable. ► The EDC should support revitalization, renovation, recycling and preservation of the existing housing stock 14 VISITOR SERVICES The goals of the EDC related to visitor services are to continue implementation of a comprehensive county-wide program to attract visitors and, at the same time, encourage the preservation and appreciation of our historical, cultural, and natural resources. ► The EDC should support long-term dedicated funding for the Visitors Bureau. ► The EDC should assist with coordination between the Bureau and other visitor service providers. ► The EDC should assist the Bureau in providing assistance to tourism-related businesses. ► The Bureau should improve and expand its electronic access and automation. ► The EDC should aid in increasing the visibility of the Visitors Bureau in the community so that local businesses and-residents will use it as a resource. ► The Bureau should support University and high school sporting events, conferences, meetings, and leisure groups to assure an enjoyable experience for visitors and a coordinated community response. ► The Bureau should continue to cooperate with local, regional, and state partners on issues of mutual interest. ► The Bureau should use research to define markets, and strategies to reach those markets effectively. (ADD: The EDC should give special attention to "cultural and heritage" tourism-related businesses (profit and non-profit).