HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 12, 2023 Minutes Approved ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
September 12, 2023
Well Dot
419 W Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Minutes
Members Present: Sharon Hill, Tom Proctor, Dave Gephart, Kristen Young, Hasan Abdullah, Jane
Saiers, Johnny Morris
Members Not Present: Barbara Jessie-Black, Estella Johnson, Elise Tyler
Guest Speakers: Todd Metzker and Dwight Bassett
Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni, Mike Ortosky
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Kristen Young at 11:35 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dave Gephart and seconded by Sharon Hill to approve the Minutes from the May
9, 2023 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
Amanda shared details on our Advertising Campaigns to promote the Grant Programs with Triangle Digital
Media Partners and WCHL. The grant cycle ending June 30th had a higher number of applications which
seems a result from the advertising. Our department wants to continue to help more small businesses with
grant funding and complementary advertising through these continued campaigns. Dave suggested we
check a local radio station "WHAP" in Hillsborough and recommended The Daily Tar Heel classified
section. We did purchase a half page of ad space in the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce digital
directory.
New Business
Kristen asked the board members if they are interested in joining the Grant Committee to let us know.
Guest Speakers
Todd Metzker, Senior Director of Member Service Operations at Well Dot Inc. spoke with the group about
their company and what they offer to the businesses who contract out their services. He gave a brief
overview of their local employee status as well as their headquarters.
Dwight Bassett, Director of Economic Development, from the Town of Chapel Hill gave a presentation to
let the board know that the Town is working to improve the economic vitality of Chapel Hill through job
creation and tax growth. Mr. Bassett shared that there is a need for jobs and desire for life science
companies based on the numbers he showed. He mentioned a few accomplishments such as creating
over 800 new jobs from entrepreneurship (Recruitment of Well Dot Inc. and Wegmans), the NC bio
committing to opening downtown and the East Rosemary redevelopment, as well as the creation and
implementation of the ReVive Recovery Plan. Dwight briefly went through the strategy for Innovation
District in downtown Chapel Hill. Sharing sites and projects like Innovate Carolina, Life Science Center
with wet lab and office space, downtown parking center, professional apartments, Elements Hotel and the
goals and metrics for these efforts. Dwight made mention of the Merritt Properties, Honorbridge, and the
Well Dot expansion. Here was the link provided for additional information: https://www.open2.biz/about-
economic-development
Directors Report:
Steve provided an update on various announcements and active projects in Orange County_
Adjournment
Kristen Young adjourned the meeting at 1:00 PM