HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 17, 2026 Minutes Approved ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
March 17, 2026
Orange County Drakeford Library
203 S Greensboro Street (Southern Meeting Room 114)
Carrboro, NC 27510
Minutes
Members Present: Joy Mercer, Estella Johnson, Dave Gephart, Sharon Hill, Lisa Kaylie, Ivy Taylor, John
Kim, Dan Rawlins
Orange County Staff: Steve Brantley, Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Joy Mercer at 11:40 a.m.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Sharon Hill and seconded by Dave Gephart to approve the Minutes from the
January 13, 2026 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Open Discussion for Board Members
Dr. Ivy Taylor provided an update about Carolina North where there will be a new live-work-play campus
developed on 1,000 acres of land however the forest area will not be developed. There will be a housing
component, and a community advisory board committee is being formed.
New Business
Steve Brantley introduced Dan Rawlins, our newest board member who fills the Agriculture seat.
Amanda Garner provided information about the recently updated attendance policy which states that any
member who missed 50% of the meetings during a one-year term would be removed from the board.
Steve provided a PowerPoint Presentation on Economic Development Goals, Successes & Challenges in
Orange County. The board members had an open discussion about the Economic Development Districts
of Buckhorn, Eno and Hillsborough. In the presentation Steve went over the strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats for Orange County and shared scenarios on how the County could increase
non-residential taxes and jobs. The board was interested in how they could be supportive towards
accomplishing these goals.
Adjournment
Joy Mercer adjourned the meeting at 1:10 PM