Agenda Package - 02-11-11 Retreat

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G1: E E • Chatham County is not capitalizing un the potential small- scale, niche commercial development around Jordan Lake to target outdoor enrhusiasrs. R c. nnnu rnddrinns :Apgressiyely pursue the upgrade and Completion of the American Tobacco Trail and explore connectivity of greeuways. nails, and bike paths to downtowns and residential areas. ldenri Cv and zone speciaksmall -scale commercial nodes near lordan Lake and other recreational sites. Develop planning ],uidelines to protect the environment in these areas. Qualilp of Llfe- Sntall Jraa planning £v Dawutourns Chatham County's socioeconomic and cultural diversity requires consideration of community preferences in economic development And planning. R rrollurt nrd ., riots Engage in small -area planning in unincorponted areas (Ivtoncau,e, Bear Creek, etc.) to build upon communiy preferences in economic development and planning. Work with municip.diries to develop a Main Streer-sryle program for downtown economic development. Qraloy of Life - Retail anti Restaurants r�rp f indiu;s A pproximuely 64 cents of every retail dollar spent by Chatham County• residents is spent outside due counre This leakage results in about 57.7 million in lost local sales tax revenue. The lack of shopping and dining options was cited by existing businesses ;md some residents As n economic development problem. Not having liquor -by- the -drink further hours the Counn•'s ability to attract high -end and chain resmurants. n..uu mnt,i,rtimt�: Designate commercial zones within municipal areas and within the Cotmry's economic nodes. Use design guidelines to control buildim lsi;ades, mitignre traffic, and prorecu the environment. Mold public booting to explore allowing liquor -by -the- drink. INFRASTRUCTURE i l l frrinv: Physical infrastructure such as highwahs, water and server, natural gas, power, telecommunications, and broadband are important to economic development. Chath:uu Count) and some downtowns lack the physical infras¢uaure to supporr attraction and entrepreneurship. The Conlin is is a position to capitalize on future water and sewer allocation and must give priority hoop this allocation to economic development purposes.An infrastructure inventory is needed to guide infnsrnucmre investment and allocation. Lack of wares and scrycr capacity Bois the ability to attract tiros, remin existing businesses. and engage in entrepreneurship. Access to interstates /four-lane highways, and broadband Internet are positively linked to entrepreneurship in rural areas. The County has limited high -speed Internet access_ Successful economic development and planning requires an accurate inventory of existing infrastructure and concrete plans for future infrastructure expansion. ii cnnuurrnJaion, • properly plan but aggressively promote water and sewer expansion for existing or planned development and economic development needs. • Work with Internet access providers to provide broadband Internet and /or other high -speed access to its citizens. • Gain A competitive advantage through world -class information technology infrastructure development in the Central Carolina Business Campus and prospective technology park. • Conduct an infrastructure sntdv to develop a detailed hdrastrucure inventory in the areas of information technology, natural gas, utilities, water, sewer, and transit. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REORGANIZATION One'vier • Retuganization of the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation is required to best implement the economic development strategic plan. Kelp Piudigp<: • The EDCs sole funding source is Chatham County, which limos the EDC's ability to fully serve Chatham County citizens. The EDC lacks sufficient staff and board diversity to fulh• implement the economic development strategic plan. Voting elected officials on the EDC Board creates the appearance of and potential for conflict of interest. • The EDC's effectiveness in facilitating economic development is hampered by the perception of politicization of the EDC. • Implementing a policy- driven economic development plan requires that the EDC establish itself as an apolitical economic development advocate. Rrronnozu:lnainus: Reorganize the EDC Board of Directors with a preference for non- vocing elected officials and designated slors for industry cluster representatives and entrepreneurs_ form attraction, retention, and entrepreneurship committees to mobilize volunteers in plan implementation. Hire additional staff to assist with retention efforts and plan implemcntanon. Transition to a public- private partnership or Committee of 100 model, and diversity the funding base through private - sector contributions and town funding. EDC leadership should begin to advise nurnicipal and counts governments on economic development issues.