HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-18-1995 - IX-B 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
MEETING DATE: April 18, 1995
Action Agenda
Item#, ? 13
SUBJECT: Midway Development Commission
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC HEARING: Yes x No
Economic Development Commission
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Request Letters Ted Abernathy(ext. 2325)
Program Description
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham - 699-7331
Mebane - 227-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501
PURPOSE:
To respond to a request for funding from the Midway Development Commission
BACKGROUND:
In January, the Midway Development Commission asked the County, through the Economic
Development Commission(EDC), for$1,500 to assist with the opening of a resource center and
small business "incubator" facility in the Midway area. The $1,500 is needed for rent on the
facility. The Town of Chapel Hill provided $22,955 to fund program operations. The EDC Board
established a committee to review the proposal. At the March EDC meeting, the Board
unanimously approved providing half funding($750)from existing funds and to strongly encourage
the Board of County Commissioners to support the request by appropriating the additional $750.
The Midway Development Commission has agreed to provide a status report to the EDC and the
Commissioners at the end of the year.
RECOMN[ENDATION:
The Manager recommends that the Board of County Commissioners approve the request from
Midway Development Commission and appropriate $750.00 from the Commissioners Contingency
Account.
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Memo To:
Mr. Ted Abernathy
Director
Orange County Economic Development
Dear Ted,
.This memo is per discussion Jan. 9th when we requested seed
funds to open the Midway Incubator Facillty at our new location.
The building is owned by Second Baptist Church on 116 South Graham
Street inside Chapel Hill corporate limits. Second Baptist is will-
ing to lease 990 sq. ft . at a cost of $550 .00 per month, with $550 .00
deposit. In addition, the following shared space is available:
Conference Room ( 10 ' x 16 ' )
Reception Area ( 12 ' x 16 ' J
15 Parking Spaces
2 Handicap Spaces
Janitorial services.
utilities included ( lights and heat )
The. Midway Development Commission Inc. is requesting $1500.00
to open the incubator facility to immediately begin our community
service project .
if you have any other question call me at 929-6705 . Thank
you in advance.
sincerely,
qA' C
Harvey R. Reid
Project Director
MAR-14-95 TUE 12 :34 PM 9339091 P. 01
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MIDWAY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
116 South Graham Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 968-9488
March 13,1995
Mr.Ted Abernathy,Director
Orange County Economic Development
ComWssion
P.O. Box 117
Hillsburough,NC 27278
Dear Mr.Abernathy
The Midway Development Commision would like to thank you and the EDC Board for your vote of
confidence March'7,1995.Funding in the amount of$1500 will be used for security and first months rent
on the facility to housing the Midway Incubator Program.We agree with the fricndly amendment of the
EDC Board that MDC will provide a progress report on or about July 1, 1995.
This report will included(1)The activities of the micro-enterprise business resource center for minority
and low income businesses in the the Midway community;(2)Provide a development plan to identify
strengths and weaknesses of such businesses ;and(3)Identfy the number of businesses attending and
completing'GOOD WORK's business training course.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or need more Information, our new
number is 958-9488.
sincerely,
� P—'
1:`''^''
y R.Reid
Project Director
xc-John Holmes,III
Gloria M.Williams
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Applicant: JOCCA/ Midway Development CommiWon
Category: Job Training
Request: $41,566
Recommended: $22,955
The organization proposes to (1) establish the Midway Development Commission
Microentetprise Incubator and small business resource center for minority owned businesses in
the Midway community; (2) establish a Microenterprise business development plan to identify
the strengths and weaknesses of a business; and (3) provide funds for fifty businesses in the
Midway community to attend the GOOD WORK business training course.
The Board believes that this project will benefit many of the small businesses in the Midway
community. There will be a beneficial long-range community impact if this organization is
nurtured. However, the Board feels that fifty participants are too many for this pilot program
and one project director, and suggests that GOOD WORK enrollment be decreased to twenty
five participants. The organization requested $12,000 for rent and rehabilitation costs for their
Rosemary Street building in Canboro. The Board agrees that Chapel Hill funds cannot be used
to pay rent for a building located in Card*ro. In addition, the federal regulations state that if
an organization receives Town funds, only Chapel Hill businesses must be assisted with those
funds. The Board suggests that this requirement be clearly explained to the applicant. The
Board also recommends that the Midway Development Commission seek its own tax exempt
status in the near future.
The Board recommends funding of $22,955 for the following: (1) $18,000 for a program
director's salary; (2) $875 in fees for twenty-five GOOD WORK training program participants;
(3) $680 for transportation to GOOD WORK classes; and (4) $3,400 for resource materials.