HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 14, 2023 Minutes Approved ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD RETREAT
March 14, 2023
Graduate Chapel Hill
311 W Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27216
Minutes
Members Present: Sharon Hill, Tom Proctor, Jane Saiers, Dave Gephart, Estella Johnson, Kristen
Young, Barbara Jessie-Black, Elise Tyler, Johnny Morris
Guests: Thomas J. White, Dr. Ellen Tai, Mark Overbay, Dan Green, and Dr. Jonathan Morgan
Orange County Staff: Dr. Shameka Fairbanks, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni, Mike Ortosky
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Sharon Hill at 10:00 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dave Gephart and seconded by Sharon Hill to approve the Minutes from the
January 10, 2023 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Introduction
Tom White requested that every member share what they would like the board to accomplish. The majority
of the board members said they would like to focus on what they could do to be more effective and
impactful as a committee by connecting with the County Manager and BOCC as well as partner
organizations. They would like to develop goals and a mission to help with equity and the Economic
Development department's role in the community.
Orange County Equity& Inclusion Overview
Dr. Shameka Fairbanks shared her role as the County's Chief Equity and Human Rights Officer and the
role of her department as a whole including their Mission, Vision, Goals, Strategy Session, Committees
and Members, Accomplishments from 2022 and some upcoming Collaboration opportunities that can
build Economic Growth in Orange County. A couple of board members asked questions about community
outreach, equity and inclusion training for the BOCC and opportunities for future events to provide support
to small businesses in the county.
Projects/ Services at State Level & How OC Can Participate
Senior Business Recruitment Manager, Ellen Tai, introduced the board members to the EDPNC
(Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina) and explained how they work as partners with the
N.C. Department of Commerce to help recruit industry to the 100 counties in North Carolina. She spoke
about existing industry, tourism, shared focus on Mega Site(s), Incentives, workforces issues, and barriers
for projects. She spoke about how projects occur and what our best opportunities and challenges are.
Board Recap
The members discussed some concerns and ideas on how to move forward with reconnecting with some
of the elected officials to see if we can work together for some new"Economic Development" growth
within the county.
Lunch with Grant Recipients:
Mark Overbay from Big Spoon Roasters spoke about how the small business investment grant program
helped his company up fit their new warehouse space in Hillsborough and hire additional staff.
Dan Green of Woodcrest Farm and Forge was able to continue operating his family's farm and shared
how the Agricultural Investment Grant funds they received made it possible to expand their workshop
space to help grow their classes and camps over the last year.
Role of Economic Development Board and Department:
Dr. Jonathan Morgan, Professor of Public Administration and Government at the UNC School of
Government gave a presentation about implementing an effective Economic Development Program.
High Performing Economic Development Programs will have and operate a sound strategic plan, adapt to
changing conditions, invest in local assets (people, infrastructure, amenities), strive to be"business-
friendly", support grant programs, innovate and take risks, build alliances and networks and use
incentives wisely. The program needs to have several important components like visioning, planning,
strategy, structure, leadership, funding, performance measurements and evaluation. So not just goal
setting and preparing a plan but emphasis on implementation. Overall, the two questions he proposed to
the board was 1. What does success look like? 2. What does it mean to be "effective" in Economic
Development?
Tom White, Director of Economic Development, N.C. State University, summarized what the guest
speakers presented and said that we need to look at the bigger picture and numbers. He mentioned how
North Carolina State University is involved in Local Economic Development and he encouraged the board
to move forward with purposing a new Strategic Plan.
Retreat Recap and Priority& Goal Setting
The Board was asked two questions to think about: If we are successful what will we have accomplished
and 2. If we focus on three things this year what do you think those areas should be?
The retreat adjourned at 3:00 and a few members and staff took a brief tour at Innovate Carolina's new
space