The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutEDC minutes 091415ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD September 14, 2015 Sheraton Hotel Chapel Hill, NC 27517 MINUTES Present: Delores Bailey, Lori Eichel, Jim Kitchen, Ron Keizer, Mark O'Neal, and Paige Zinn Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Yvonne Scarlett, Amanda Garner, Mike Ortosky, Tina Love Call to Order Lori Eichel (Vice- Chair) called the meeting to order. Approval of May 22, 2015 minutes MOTION by Mark O'Neal to approve minutes; seconded by Delores Bailey. Minutes were approved by consensus. New Business • Economic Development Advisory Board Appointment Recommendations — the Board discussed the positions vacant for agriculture and tourism representation. A motion was made by Jim Kitchen to recommend James Watts to fill the vacancy for the agricultural position and Nitan Khanna to fill the vacancy for tourism position to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration; seconded by Mark O'Neal - Unanimous • Orange County Economic Development Strategic Plan Update- Steve Brantley Consensus was for a 2 page document with bullet points. Staff will come back with revised plan based on the Advisory Boards' suggestions and recommendations Old Business • Status of Small Business Grant Program — Yvonne Scarlett 0 15 applications — 3 from Carrboro, 6 from Chapel Hill, 6 from Hillsborough 0 Eight grants were approved, four were deferred, one was denied, one withdrew. 0 Several applications for the next quarter. • Status of Agriculture Grant Program — Mike Ortosky • Seven grants were approved, one was denied. • Postcards have been sent out to property owners with farm status. Director's Report - Steve Brantley • Incubator Update • Annual Meeting between Orange County and the City of Mebane • Morinaga Update Open House on October 21St Phase II within 2 years 40 Employees hired - 40 will be hired for 2nd shift Production started • Market increase in projects coming into office • Project Updates - 8 projects in the last month • Annual Work Plan and Report - Will be emailed to the membership. To be part of November's Advisory Board meeting work • Work plan to be completed by end of November • Topics for upcoming year Adiournment