HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 12, 2024 Minutes Approved ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
March 12, 2024
CommunityWorx
125 W Main St#100, Carrboro
Minutes
Members Present: Sharon Hill, Tom Proctor, Dave Gephart, Kristen Young, Jane Saiers, Johnny Morris,
Hasan Abdullah
Guest: Ian Scott
Members Not Present: Elise Tyler, Estella Johnson, Barbara Jessie-Black
Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Kristen Young at 11:45 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dave Gephart and seconded by Tom Proctor to approve the Minutes from the
January 9, 2024 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business
Kristen Young reminded the board members about upcoming expiring terms and vacancies for the
Advisory board in July. A motion was made by Tom Proctor and seconded by Johnny Morris to
recommend reappointing all 4 members (Dave Gephart, Jane Saiers, Estella Johnson and Elise Tyler)for
a second term. The motion passed unanimously.
Kristen mentioned that the 3 seats we will be needing to fill are core business, entrepreneur and non-
profit. The members were asked to review the 6 applications. Steve Brantley spoke briefly about the two
applicants that were recruited by the Economic Development staff. A motion was made by Dave and
seconded by Sharon to endorse Joy Mercer and Emilee Collins to be recommended for Core Business
and Entrepreneur to the BOCC. The motion passed unanimously. Kristen requested that we ask if there
could be a more specific application question that asked for the applicant's business/job experience.
Kristen recommended Lisa Kaylie from Extraordinary Ventures be recruited for the non-profit seat. A
motion was made by Dave and seconded by Sharon to endorse Lisa if she applies to the board. The
motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Steve mentioned that the BOCC work session which is being held this evening and told the board that our
Vice Chair Dave will be presenting our Annual Work Plan and Report. Steve presented the County's
Strategic Plan and the priorities and categories that were development. Our department along with the
Visitors' Bureau and Arts Commission will be establishing metrics and objectives to meet the "Diverse and
Vibrant Economy"goal. Amanda Garner went over the Objectives and Performance Measures. Amanda let
the board know the previous proposal in the FY23-24 budget for an Economic Development Strategic Plan
which will be in this year's budget request.
Dave had a question about the retail sales tax increase. Jane asked about Agritourism and how do they
define and track those visitors. Kristen mentioned that the conversation about land, water, sewer,
broadband is not captured in the plan even though they are all related to economic development. Amanda
said that those would be something we can build out in our own plan. Kristen also asked why there are no
performance measures for adding sports and entertainment spaces. Amanda reminded the board that the
Orange County Land Use Plan 2050 process is ongoing and provides a great opportunity for feedback
from individual advisory board members.
Amanda shared our department's purposed budget for FY24-25. She briefly shared highlights of the
Advertising Campaigns with Triangle Digital Partners and WCHL for both of the Grant Programs, which
will be getting an annual increase of 5% over the next five years from the Article 46 fund.
Amanda gave an overview of the grant program and highlighted the ad campaigns that have been
running over the past year. The number of minority and women-owned grant awards has increased with
35% of total awards in FY 2023 given to minority owned businesses and 54% of total awards given to
women owned businesses. For Ag grants it was 28%total awards to minority owned farms and 40% of
total awards for 2023 given to women owned farms.
The board discussed the grant guidelines and suggested changing the business investment grant
program to match the Ag grant guideline and make it a maximum of$10,000 in 3 year period instead of 2
year period. The members discussed adding more metrics such as the business's growth in sales or
employment for applicants that are coming back for second or third grant.
Hasan volunteers on the Housing Department's Advisory Board and wanted to discuss the possibility of a
joint meeting with a couple of members so discuss a proposed collaboration. Hasan will check to see if
there are folks that are interested in joining a future meeting and having 15 minutes to present their ideas.
Adjournment
Kristen Young adjourned the meeting at 1:05 PM