HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 13, 2026 Minutes Approved ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
January 13, 2026
Orange County West Campus
131 W. Margaret Lane, Room 004
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Minutes
Members Present: Joy Mercer, Estella Johnson, Emilee Collins, Dave Gephart, Sharon Hill, Lisa Kaylie
Elise Tyler, Ivy Taylor, John Kim
Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni
Guest Speakers: Scott Czechlewski
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Emilee Collins 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
November 11, 2025 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Guest Speaker
Emilee Collins introduced our guest speaker, Scott Czechlewski, CEO of the Hillsborough Orange County
Chamber of Commerce. Scott shared his background within other communities and gave a brief update
on what the Chamber has been working on (re-branding, new logo, updating website, marketing
materials, building stronger relationships with the towns, elected officials, the Visitor's Bureau as well as
other Chambers). Scott mentioned their Strategic Plan which included more visibility for members, an
online digital guide and membership directory as well as special events in the community (Halloween,
Holiday Parade &Tree Lighting, Gingerbread houses, Pictures with Santa, Candle stroll, and Ladies
Night Out) Scott spoke about the Carolina Health Works which launched in November and has had a
conservative reaction but is a plan to help small businesses with healthcare needs. He also spoke about
the Women's Board and how important networking with other local areas will be moving forward as well
as upcoming projects such as a survey on diversity and a workforce study.
New Business
Amanda Garner provided an overview of the grant program guideline changes that we need the boards
input on and mentioned the vacant seat on the grant review committee that we still need to fill. The
members discussed changing the requirement for employers who are applying for a grant to strive to pay
a living wage. The board also discussed whether software, training, licensure, and certificates were
eligible use of funds under inventory & supplies and decided that software would be but the remaining
would not be. The committee also discussed the option to allow for a larger grant award to be approved
one time per fiscal year. Amanda also informed the board that moving forward all small business grant
applicants must have a pre-application meeting with a staff member of the Orange County Economic
Development department before an application is submitted.
Director's Report
Steve Brantley spoke briefly about the Annual Report &Work Plan due Friday January 16th. He
requested that any feedback from board members be submitted by EOD Wednesday. Steve informed the
board that Joy Mercer's first term would be expiring June 30t" and she is interested in serving a 2nd term.
A motion was made by Sharon Hill and seconded by Elise Tyler to endorse Joy for a 2nd term so Steve
will recommend she be reappointed in his memo to BOCC.
Steve mentioned that there were a few Life & Science projects looking for space in the Chapel Hill and
Hillsborough area. He let the board members know that at our upcoming meetings we would allow time
for each member to share anything they might be doing related to Orange County or Economic
Development.
Adjournment
Emilee Collins adjourned the meeting at 1:09 PM