HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 14, 2023 Minutes Approved ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
November 14, 2023
Piedmont Food Processing Center
500 Valley Forge Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Minutes
Members Present: Sharon Hill, Tom Proctor, Dave Gephart, Kristen Young, Hasan Abdullah, Jane
Saiers, Johnny Morris, Elise Tyler, Estella Johnson
Members Not Present: Barbara Jessie-Black
Guest Speakers: Eric Hallman, Sue Ellsworth, Scott Czechlewski
Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Kristen Young at 11:50 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Johnny Morris and seconded by Sharon Hill to approve the Minutes from the
September 12, 2023 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Director's Report
Steve provided an update on various announcements and active updates in Orange County. He also
spoke about the County's Strategic Plan and encouraged the members to complete the survey that is
available
New Business
Kristen mentioned that board members should send us any additional comments for the Advisory Board's
Annual Report&Work Plan that will be due in January. Lindsey reminded the members that their annual
Disclosure statements are due in December and hard copies were available to complete during the
meeting. Lindsey also requested that the board members send suggestions in for future meeting
locations, topics and guest speakers for 2024.
Guest Speakers
Sue Ellsworth introduced the committee members to her own organization WE Power Food
https://www.wepowerfood.org/ which is a Non Profit organization that helps inspire women to start and
grow their food businesses in the Piedmont and North Carolina. Sue works closely with the women-
owned businesses at Piedmont Food Processing Center to mentor them and provide them with the
resources they need. Eric Hallman spoke with the committee about how Piedmont Food Processing
Center got started and what they offer. He explained types of packaged foods, catering and meal prep,
storage, as well as some success stories on how some companies have and will expand and grow into
nationally recognized brands. The committee learned and asked questions about the incubator space
and some of the companies who work there as well as regulatory agencies they work with.
Adjournment
Kristen Young adjourned the meeting at 1:00 PM