HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 28, 2025 Minutes Approved ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
July 28, 2025
Orange County Solid Waste Admin Office
1207 Eubanks Rd, Multi-Purpose Room
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Minutes
Members Present: Joy Mercer, Lisa Kaylie, Emilee Collins, John Kim, Dave Gephart, Sharon Hill, Ivy
Taylor
Past Members Present: Tom Proctor, Kristen Young
Members Not Present: Elise Tyler, Estella Johnson
Orange County Staff: Travis Myren, Kelly Guadalupe, Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni
Guest Speaker: Crystal Morphis
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Emilee Collins at 10:34 a.m.
Old Business
Emilee Collins welcomed everyone and started with brief introductions since we have 3 new board
members. Crystal Morphis with Creative Economic Development Consulting gave an update on the
current progress and work that her team has completed for the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
She began the workshop with highlights from the SWOT analysis that was completed in March by the
advisory board members. She reviewed details on the cluster and workforce analysis.
Crystal provided results and feedback from the business survey that was conducted earlier this spring
that had about 80 participants. The members discussed some topics and questions around the County's
Strategic Plan specially focusing on the "Vibrant and Diverse Economy" section.
Crystal asked the board members to think about how they would define the role of the Economic
Development department by revamping the Vision and Mission Statements. She encouraged folks to
provide words, ideas and strategies around achieving those goals.
Crystal mentioned how unique Article 46 funds are to Orange County and explained how the Strategic
Plan would recommend using the property sales tax revenue in the general fund to pay incentives to
industries rather than taking those funds from the Article 46 Fund.
One of the main goals that was discussed during the meeting was bringing together a coordinated effort
to collaborate with the Towns, Chambers, Cooperative Extension and other county departments to talk
about Economic Development and bridge together more ideas and productive ways to continue to grow
businesses and industries in Orange County. Some other goals were preserving land for new businesses
to locate and existing businesses to expand. Providing technical assistance to new and existing
companies. Support up-skilling talent development strategies by working with the schools (K-12) and
Durham Tech. Communicate Orange County's competitive position to the external market and our
strategy for economic development to businesses, stakeholders and the community.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Joy Mercer and seconded by Dave Gephart to approve the Minutes from the May
13,2025 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Emilee Collins adjourned the meeting at 12:05 PM