HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDC minutes 032117Approved 5/16/17
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
March 21, 2017
The Hickory Tavern
Chapel Hill, NC
MINUTES
Present: Jim Kitchen, Mark O’Neal, Paige Zinn, John Anderson, DR Bryan
Guest: Anthony Carey
Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Mike Ortosky, Amanda Garner, Yvonne Scarlett
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:15 by Jim Kitchen, Chair.
Old Business
• Update on S.W.O.T. Analysis - Amanda Garner
Amanda Garner led the discussed of the S.W.O.T. Analysis RFPs submitted. Discussion included:
o Focus on infrastructure necessity
o EDDs feasibility
o Additional viable sites in each EDD
o Finalist (to be interviewed by Board Members and Orange County Staff) were selected:
• Creative - Elkin, NC
• Timmons Group - Raleigh, NC
• Axcel Innovation LLC - Charlottesville, VA
• Thomas P. Miller & Associates - Indianapolis, IN
• Update on Orange County Agricultural Summit - Mike Ortosky
Mike Ortosky provided a brief overview of the Agricultural Summit held on February 20, 2017 at the
Cedar Grove Community Center:
o Over 200 attended
o Beau Bennett (Beau’s Catering) a recipient of both the Small Business Loan Program and
Business Investment Grant Program) catered the event
o Topics and breakout sessions included:
o Bona Fide Farms & Agritourism
o Rural Broadband
o Finding land & starting a farm
o Orange County Food Council
o Wholesale and retail markets
o Farm tax issues
• Recruitment of Potential Board Members - Steve Brantley
Mr. Brantley told the group that the Board of County Commissioner have a regularly scheduled meeting tonight
and will most likely fill the three vacancies. The applications presented to the BOCC for consideration were
those of Peggy Brady (recommended by John Anderson), Sharon Hill (recommended by Delores Bailey),
Anthony Carey and Keith Coleman.
New Business
Steve Brantley discussed the departments marketing and branding opportunities including the relationship
with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC).
Economic Development Advisory Board – next meeting scheduled for May 16 at the Siena Hotel at noon.
Business Investment Grant Committee – next meeting scheduled for April 19 (10 am – Noon) at the office
of Jennings in Chapel Hill.
Adjournment: 1:33 pm