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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-01-2000-8g'tI ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 1, 2000 Action Agen a Item No. - SUBJECT: Contract Renewal for 2000-01 with Small Business and Technology Development Center DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: SBTDC Contract Dianne Reid, ext 2325 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 9fi8-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 33fi-227-2031 PURP05E: The purpose of this contract is to continue support of small business development as stated in the Economic Development Strategic Plan as adopted May 14, 1996. BACKGROUND: The Orange County Economic Development Strategic Plan focuses on providing assistance to small business in the county, including establishing a small business loan program. The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) provides significant services to local businesses. The proposed contract is for $10,000 to be paid in two installments of $5,000 each. The first is to be paid on or about November 30, 2000, and the second an or about April 30, 2001. This is a continuation of the contract Orange County has had with the SBTDC since 1990. During 1999, two hundred sixty (260) Orange County business owners and prospective business owners received business counseling from the SBTDC regional office in Chapel Hill. Clients receiving assistance included residents of Carrboro, Cedar Grove, Efland, Hillsborough and Raugement, as well as residents of Chapel Hill. In the final two quarters of 1999, the regional SBTDC assisted small business clients in obtaining over $1.47 million in financing, resulting in the creation or retention of 34 full time jobs and 52 part time jobs. With the implementation this year of the Orange County Small Business Loan Program, the SBTDC role in assisting businesses in the county will be magnified. SBTDC counselors will assist potential loan pool clients in preparing business plans and will work closely with staff of the county's Economic Development Commission to make potential borrowers and sources of referrals aware of the new program. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The annual budget for the Economic Development Commission approved for Fiscal Year 2000-01 includes $10,000 for professional contract services for this contract. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the contract and authorize the County Manager to sign subject to final review by staff and the County Attorney. 2 NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into the day of , by and between Orange County, North Carolina, 200 S. Cameron Street, Hillsborough, North Carolina, hereinafter referred to as "County" and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for and on behalf of its Small Business and Technology Development Center, 333 Fayetteville Street Mall, Suite 1150, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1742, hereinafter referred to as the "SBTDC". WTTNESSETH: WHEREAS, the on-going work of the Orange County SBTDC is consistent with the Orange County Economic Development Strategic Plan; and WHEREAS, the work of the Orange County SBTDC, the development of more comprehensive small business information, and a public awareness and educational program on the services available to small business, is an integral part of meeting the objectives specified in the Orange County Economic Development Strategic Plan; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Economic Development Commission, hereinafter referred to as the EDC, has endorsed the Orange County SBTDC concept, and has encouraged the County's support, financial and otherwise; and WHEREAS, the EDC is an agency of the County; and WHEREAS, economic development is an important public purpose which can be aided by contributions of Orange County funds; and WHEREAS, Orange County supports the Economic Development Strategic Plan, and public-private initiatives to implement the Plan. Now, therefore, in consideration of the above and the mutual covenants and considerations hereinafter set forth, the County and the SBTDC agree as follows: First, in consideration of the EDC's on-going support, the SBTDC will maintain a regional office in Orange County: This will consist, at minimum, of the presence of three professional staff members in the County. Second, the SBTDC will make its general business consulting services and more specialized services and counseling in the areas of international trade, technology development, and government procurement (including Pro-Bid) available to small firms and would-be entrepreneurs throughout the County. Where appropriate SBTDC will work with specific. clients referred by the EDC. Third, one or more resources libraries will be maintained in the County and hand- out materials will be available. The SBTDC also will provide access to specialized softwaze such as FISCAL-a loan package evaluation and spreadsheet program-and other business start-up and assistance resources at no chazge to the businesses. Fourth, the SBTDC will continue to develop and offer with the EDC and other sponsors a variety of training programs both for small business firms and for those who serve small businesses (such as bankers). These will be scheduled bi-annually throughout the term of this agreement. A specific focus during the term of this contract shall be assistance to female and minority owned businesses. Fifth, the SBTDC will work actively to increase public awazeness of and access to its services throughout the County. A visitation effort will be conducted to acquaint Orange County's employers with services that can assist them with expansion. Efforts will be made to fully involve other agencies and resources such as Chambers of Commerce, SCORE, the local community college, Goodwork, Self Help, and local professional and civic groups. Sixth, the SBTDC will provide technical assistance, business plan and loan package prepazation assistance to businesses and individuals preparing to apply for financing from the Orange County Small Business Loan Poal. Seventh, the SBTDC will provide the EDC with a written report within 30 days of the close of each quarter. This will detail the program and service activities of the SBTDC in Orange County for the quarter. The SBTDC also will provide a report of client evaluations of services each quarter. Eighth, the SBTDC will make its best good faith effort to continue and/or expand the level of service in Orange County proposed under this agreement beyond the terms of this agreement. Ninth, in return for the foregoing, the County will pay the SBTDC $10,000 in two $5,000 installments. The first such installment shall be paid on or about November 15, 2000, and the final payment will be paid on or about April 15, 2001. Tenth, the EDC will actively support and promote the programs and services of the SBTDC within Orange County. Eleventh, the Director of the EDC will become a member of the SBTDC state- wide Advisory Boazd, as long as this agreement is in effect. Twelfth, the term of this agreement will be 1 yeaz beginning July 1, 2000 and ending June 30, 2001. Thirteenth, this agreement may be terminated at any time upon the mutual consent of the parties or upon 90 days advance written notice by either party. Fourteenth, the SBTDC authorizes inspection by the Orange County Finance Director or his designee of so much of the books and records of the SBTDC which document receipt and expenditure of County funds. The books and records of the SBTDC shall be made available to the County Finance Director or his designee upon reasonable notice. Fifteenth, in the event that the SBTDC ceases to function or ceases to provide the services described herein without, a County approved written assignment or release by County of its responsibilities, this agreement will, as to the SBTDC, terminate and the SBTDC will return any moneys paid the SBTDC pursuant to this agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Orange County has caused this Agreement to be signed in its name by its County Manager, attested by the clerk to the Board of Commissioners, and sealed with its corporate seal, and the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill acting for and on behalf of its Small Business and Technology Development Center has ,caused this Agreement to be signed in its name by its Director, Office of Research Services, and all authority duly given, the day and year first above written. ORANGE COUNTY By: John M. Link County Manager [OFFICIAL SEAL) ATTEST: Clerk to the Orange County Board of Commissioners UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL By: Robert P. Lowman, Director Office of Research Services ay NORTH CAROLINA ORANGE COUNTY I, ,Notary Public for said County and State, certify that Beverly A. Blythe personally came before me this day and acknowledged that she is Clerk to the Boazd of Commissioners of Orange County, and that by authority duly given and as the act of Orange County, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by John M. Link, Jr., Orange County Manager, sealed with its official seal, and attested by herself as its Clerk. Witness my hand and official seal, this the day of , 2000. Notary Public My commission expires: North Cazolina Orange County I, , a Notary Public for said County and State, do hereby certify that Robert P. Lowman personally appeared before me this day and acknowledged that he is the Director of the Office of Reseazch Services, University of North Cazolina at Chapel Hill, and that by authority duly given and as the act of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the foregoing instrument was signed in its name by him. Witness my hand and official seal, this the day of , 2000. Notary Public My commission expires: