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11-19-2024 Agenda Packet EDC Date: November 19, 2024 Time: 4:00 pm Location: EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Regularly-Scheduled Meeting Agenda Time Item Leader 4:00 Welcome Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:02 Invocation Mr. Scott McKinney, Vice-Chairman 4:03 Consent Agenda • September 24, 2024 Meeting Minutes • 2025 EDC Meeting Schedule **Request a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:05 Chairman Report Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:10 Director Report Ms. Brandy Lynch, ED Director 4:20 Next Meeting TBD Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:20 **Adjourn Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman **Action Requested Notes: ««Notice: For Emergency and/or Special Called Meetings of the EDC, please check the EDC Meeting Materials section of the EDC website.»» Upcoming 2025 Meeting Dates for the Person County Economic Development Commission Date: Time: Location: January 28, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** March 25, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** May 27, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** July 22, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** September 23, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building** November 18, 2025 4:00 p.m. Person County Transit & Development Building*** December 2025* TBD TBD *The EDC meets on 4th Tuesdays of every other month. Because the 4th Tuesday of December 2025 falls on the week of a major holiday, the Commission will determine at its November meeting whether to hold a December meeting. **Person County Transit & Development Center is located at 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC 27573 *** The November meeting will be on the 3rd Tuesday. For more information, please contact the ED Office at 336.597.1752. Proposed Person County myFutureNC 2024 Attainment Profiles Raleigh-Durham Prosperity Zone Sub-Region Peer County Type: Rural - Metro Local Education Agencies: 1 (2023) Charter Schools: 2 (2023) Population Spotlight 2020 Census: 39,093 2022 Estimate: 39,386 Change: 293 0.7%County vs.2.5%State Growth Rate $61,302 MedianHouseholdIncome (2022) State: $67,516 78% Home Owners(2022) State: 67% 31.1% Child PovertyRate (2022) State: 17.2% 17.2% OpportunityYouth Rate(2022) State: 10.9% 65% Households withBroadband (2022) State: 77% 3.8% UnemploymentRate (2022) State: 3.7% No Degree5,13757.9% Have Degree orCredential3,73342.1% Educational Attainment Person County residents ages 25-44, 2022 Note: Numbers may not add up to 100% due to rounding Top Opportunities for Growth These three areas represent the biggest opportunities for Person County to improve future attainment outcomes. Adult Learners 21% of Person County adults 25-44 have some college, no degree, above the rural - metro county average of 17%. High School Graduation 83% of Person County 9th graders complete high school in 4 years or less, below the rural - metro county average of 85%. Reading Performance 24% of Person County 3-8 graders earn college-and-career-ready scores in Reading, below the rural - metro county average of 26%. Promising Attainment Practices The new Promising Attainment Practices Database is a curated, searchable, and filterable collection of about 250 county, region, and state-level initiatives and programs that directly address various components of the state’s attainment challenge. The Database allows local and regional initiative leaders and other stakeholders to identify groups across the state who are developing or operating initiatives designed to boost attainment. Follow link to discover how Person County has been meeting local needs: https://dashboard.myfuturenc.org/promising-attainment-practices/?wdt_search=Person 76.5% of postsecondary degrees and credentials conferred by regional institutions are aligned with labor market needs. Top areas of misalignment: Business Management & Administration bachelor’s Health Science below bachelor’s Information Technology bachelor’s In Raleigh-Durham Prosperity Zone Sub-Region: 5,347 Individuals served in an ApprenticeshipNC program in 2020 UNC and NC Community College Outcomes: 19,047 graduates in 2020 65%of 2016 graduates were employed in NC in 2021 $50,028 annual average earnings of graduates employed in NC (includes both part-time and full-time jobs) 54% of adults (ages 25-44) in Person County earned a family sustaining wage, 2022 Person County is served by: Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board Kerr-Tar Council of Governments UNC System College Enrollment Curriculum Top 3 Five-Star Jobs in Raleigh-Durham Prosperity Zone Sub-Region Job Title Annual Growth Nurse Practitioners 4% Data Scientists 4% Statisticians 4% Top 3 Employers in Person County Employer Employment Range Person County Schools 500-999 Gkn Driveline Inc.500-999 Poly Wood Llc 250-499 NC Community College Enrollment Curriculum First-time Curriculum Enrollments Basic Skills Continuing Education 2030 Proposed Person County Attainment Goal: 5,871 (Stretch Goal: 5,952)2030 State Attainment Goal: 2 million Updated: Jul 22 2024 3,247 Basic Skills 29,217 Continuing Education 9,377 Curriculum 11% of Person County residents have student loan debt; 9% of debt holders had student loans in default. 2022 Success of Person County High School Graduates • 78% of students who enroll persist to their second year versus 79% in peer counties. 2022 • 43% of students who enroll earn a degree or certificate within 6 years versus 56% in peer counties. 2022 Top destinations of all college-goers, Fall 2023 • 1,273 of all college-goers attended Piedmont CC • 151 of all college-goers attended Durham TCC • 73 of all college-goers attended Vance-Granville CC Adult Learners Raleigh-Durham Sub-Prosperity Zone post-secondary enrollments in NC Community Colleges, Fall 2022 Degree Credentials Awarded, 2022 5,278 certificate 5,596 associate 16,200 bachelor’s Postsecondary assets in Raleigh-Durham Prosperity Zone sub-region Public, 4-year or above North Carolina Central University, NorthCarolina State University at Raleigh,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public, 2-year Central Carolina Community College,Durham Technical Community College,Johnston Community College, PiedmontCommunity College, Vance-GranvilleCommunity College, Wake TechnicalCommunity College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above Campbell University, Duke University,Heritage Bible College, Meredith College,Saint Augustine’s University, ShawUniversity, Southeastern BaptistTheological Seminary, Southeastern FreeWill Baptist Bible College, Watts School ofNursing, William Peace University Private not-for-profit, 2-year Louisburg College • 60% of seniors completed the FAFSA in 2023, compared to 62% statewide; 47 more need to complete in 2023 to meet state goal of 80%. 2023 • 64% of graduates reported intentions to enroll in a postsecondary institution versus 68% in peer counties. 2022 • 51% of graduates enrolled in a postsecondary institution within 12 months versus 51% in peer counties. 2022 55% of Person County students have parents with no college degree (either 2- or 4-year) versus 55% in peer counties. Postsecondary Enrollment Rates for Select Groups in Person County, 2022 Note: Outcomes for groups with less than 10 students, <5% or >95% are not displayed. How students in Person County traditional schools are doing: • 64% of eligible 4-year-olds enrolled in NC Pre-K program, compared to 53% statewide; 23 more needed to meet state goal of 75%. 2023 • 24% of 3-8 graders are earning college-and-career-ready scores (level 4 or 5) in reading, compared to 30% statewide; 1,262 more needed to meet state goal of 73%. 2023 • 33% of 3-8 graders are earning college-and-career-ready scores (level 4 or 5) in math, compared to 35% statewide; 1,080 more needed to meet state goal of 86%. 2023 • 83% of 9th graders graduate within four years, compared to 87% statewide; 40 more needed to meet state goal of 95%. 2023 • 26% of students are chronically absent from school, compared to 27% statewide; 698 less needed to meet state goal of 11%. 2023 Person County has a student-to-school counselor ratio of 384:1 versus 362:1 in peer counties. 2023 0% of students drop out of high school (2 total students), compared to 2% statewide. 2023 School Choice 5,872 total students were enrolled in K-12 in Person County in the 2022-23 school year. Note: This profile focuses on outcomes of students enrolled in district schools. (18%) (73%) (8%) (2%) Students in Person County completed 1,915 Career & Technical Education (CTE) credentials (339 (18%) were industry-valued credentials) and 239 concentrations in 2023. The top three CTE concentrations completed include Architecture and Construction; Health Science; and Human Services. 73 high school students took at least one AP test (6%) versus 8% in peer counties (2023). 149 high school students participated in Career & College Promise programs (52%) versus 43% in peer counties (2023). Access to Postsecondary Credits Person County 2024 Attainment Profile For more information about each indicator, including data sources and methodology, visit: dashboard.myfuturenc.org/county-data-and-resources/ EDC Minutes for September 24, 2024 Minutes of the PCEDC Regularly Scheduled Meeting Person County EDC Board Room 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 September 24, 2024 Voting Board Members Present: Dr. Scott McKinney-Vice Chairman Mr. Donald Long The Honorable Gordon Powell, Mr. Phillip Allen-Chairman The Honorable Merilyn Newell, Mr. Kenneth Perry Mr. Jody Blackwell Voting Board Members Absent: Ms. Sherry Clayton Mr. Jay Poindexter Ex Officios Present: Mr. Brooks Lockhart, City Manager Dr. Pamela Senegal, PCC President Ms. Katherine Cathey, County Manager Dr. Rodney Peterson, PCS Superintendent Ex Officios Absent: Dr. Claudia Berryhill, Agricultural Representative ED Staff Present: Others Present: Ms. Brandy Lynch, Director Mr. George Willoughby Mr. Bryan Eatmon, Existing Industry Specialist Ms. Sherry Wilborn Ms. Briana Whitt, ED Specialist (Minutes) Mr. Bo Freeman Ms. Dana Blackwell Mr. Dan Craig, CPA EDC Welcome and Invocation: At 4:00 p.m., Chairman Allen called the meeting to order. Vice-Chairman McKinney gave the invocation. EDC Minutes for September 24, 2024 Approval of Minutes: Chairman Allen recognized The Honorable Merilyn Newell for the approval of the July 23, 2024, minutes. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to approve the July 23, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion: Mr. Jody Blackwell Second: Mr. Donald Long Chairman Report: Chairman Allen began by expressing his gratitude to the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring Polywood's ribbon-cutting ceremony. He mentioned that Polywood aims to increase its workforce to over 700 employees by next year. Mr. Allen also encouraged everyone to attend the public hearing at 6 p.m., where Ms. Lynch will present. Director Report: Ms. Lynch gave some highlights from July through September. At our previous meeting in July, Economic Development had been working on a marketing flyer with Marketing 360. The final product is complete and has been put in frequently visited locations in the county, e.g., visitor centers and hotels. Once the Economic Development website is up and running, the flyer will also be posted there. Ms. Lynch wanted to recognize Mr. Eatmon for his work on a business resource brochure that has been printed and will soon be distributed. Many of the local businesses he met with had questions about the brochure's purpose, its resources, and where they could find more information. While providing specific answers to every question is impossible, Mr. Eatmon emphasized that the brochure lists helpful resources. He encouraged businesses to call him so he could guide them in the right direction. Ms. Lynch stated that, as Mr. Allen said, the Person County Mega Park Public Hearing is this evening. The hearing is possibly to close a portion of County Club Road. Since the last meeting, the Person County Mega Park has also been rezoned. Ms. Lynch had the pleasure of helping plan the Cultivate 2024 in Louisburg and helping choose the keynote speaker. Ms. Lynch intends to discuss the keynote speaker in the November meeting. The contract for the redesign of the Economic Development website has finally been signed, and we are now collaborating with county staff to utilize the same website host as our government. This alignment EDC Minutes for September 24, 2024 should make the websites more consistent. We hope that in the next year or two, when Person County undertakes its redesign, it will result in streamlined and easier-to-navigate websites. Currently, you can visit the Person County website to view agendas for any county board and their approved meeting minutes. Ms. Lynch had a productive call with the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP), which has agreed to sponsor a marketing analysis for the Kerr-Tar region. The analysis will cover the entire Kerr- Tar area, focusing on identifying needs, determining the most suitable industries to explore, and assessing what the region in North Carolina might be lacking. During a recent meeting attended by Ms. Lynch and Mr. Eatmon, a site consultant was brought in to discuss these topics, generating significant interest. Ms. Lynch has had several meetings with Golden Leaf regarding the North Park project over the past month. There have been issues with a contract involving the contractor, but they are working diligently to resolve it. Ms. Lynch mentioned that the situation looks promising, though she emphasized that this is just her opinion. Ms. Whitt will begin her NCCED classes in the fall of 2024. Meanwhile, Mr. Eatmon and Ms. Lynch have already started the ECU portion of the program, and Ms. Lynch has recently completed it. She finished her last class last week and is excited to be done, as this allows her to begin the capstone process. Mr. Eatmon is also almost finished; he has one more ECU class and one UNC class before proceeding to the capstone process. Local industry visits have continued, and Ms. Lynch has received multiple compliments and excellent responses. Mr. Eatmon has been working with county staff on the CAFER for employee numbers. Polywood had its ribbon cutting, which was exciting. Many photos were taken and shared with Ms. Strickland to be posted on social media. Vance Granville Community College will be hosting a business and industry event. A sheet was handed out to the agenda board, and there will be a Q and A as of right now. It is free, and you can register online to find out more information. Dr. Senegal shared an email about the rural listening tour. It will be at PCC on October 17th from 1 to 3 p.m. Registration is free and available online. On October 1st and 2nd, Ms. Lynch was invited to the North Carolina Rural Economic Summit; the agenda was added to the packet and handed to the board. This summit is presented by ECU and Business North Carolina. Ms. Lynch plans to attend. The topics that will be discussed are education, broadband, healthcare, and digital equity. Planning for Personality is ongoing. The city of Roxboro and economic development are helping with that event with the chamber. Early voting will be held on October 17th in the county office building auditorium. EDC Minutes for September 24, 2024 Raleigh Regional Airport will be closed for approximately 30 days as of September 30th. Ms. Blackwell noted that there will be a business after-hours ribbon cutting at the new visitor center on November 19th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mr. Perry asked Ms. Lynch to provide more details about the contractor issues. Ms. Lynch explained that the situation primarily involves a dispute between the contractor and the county regarding differing contract interpretations. We are collaborating with Kevin Hornick to address this matter and hope to resolve it soon. Mr. Long asked for any updates on the GKN and if they are forthcoming with any information. Ms. Lynch communicated that she had not heard any information from GKN, but per a previous conversation with Ms. Wilborn, there would be a tour of the facility that she arranged with EDPNC to come to see. Mr. Blackwell gave the latest feedback on the employment that was heard: they have pushed back to the end of November. Ms. Cathey was asked to provide an update on broadband services. Ms. Lynch had included a map, and Ms. Cathey collaborated with Ms. Vaughn from the GIS department to create a more detailed version of that map. Currently, about 2,000 locations in Person County are not funded for broadband access, and efforts are underway to address this issue. Everyone is eager to see progress and to connect some addresses that already have funding for service. The timeline for completing this project is two years, though we hope to see results sooner rather than later. The green dots on the map indicate locations funded through the Great Grant. We have partnered with the state and Spectrum on this grant and another grant with Brightspeed. Some of the green dots will be serviced with fiber from Spectrum, while others will have fiber installed by Brightspeed. The small blue dots on the map represent areas being served through federal funding and the Arnot grants; Spectrum is primarily carrying out these projects and is currently building them out. Dr. Senegal stated that one of the questions we now ask is, "Do you have access to a computer, and do you have access to high-speed internet access at home?" We're seeing an increasing portion of our students who are telling us that that is an issue. We can solve the computer part. We can basically say that the cost of those devices has come down. That's really not the issue. The issue is that high-speed, reliable, affordable internet is connected from home. Last week, there were five of us. Mr. Powell and Mr. Perry went, and then the afternoon session was with Mr. Long, Mr. Blackwell, and Mr. Powell. Mr. Allen said they are making huge strides in getting that project going further along. Day by day, He was very impressed again with the public's attention to detail and concern regarding the environment. Mr. Lockhart informed the board that the City of Roxboro has received authorization to award the Western Sewer project. The contract has been signed, and the City Council has been directed to EDC Minutes for September 24, 2024 proceed. They are currently arranging a pre-construction meeting, and we hope to receive a notice to proceed within the next week. Mr. Blackwell mentioned revisiting the tour of Polywood. He has spoken to their representatives, and they are open to the idea. We would like to schedule the tour about an hour before our meeting. They will provide a tour of both sides of the facilities, after which we can begin our meeting. Mr. Blackwell agreed to handle the scheduling. Next Meeting: The next meeting is proposed for Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County EDC Board Room 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC. Adjournment: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to adjourn the meeting at approximately 4:56 p.m. Motion: Mr. Jody Blackwell Second: Mr. Donald Long _____________________________________ ______________________________________ Date Approved Secretary Date: September 24, 2024 Time: 4:00 pm Location: EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Regularly-Scheduled Meeting Agenda Time Item Leader 4:00 Welcome Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:02 Invocation Mr. Scott McKinney, Vice-Chairman 4:03 Approval of the Minutes **Request a motion to approve the July 23, 2024 Meeting Minutes Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:03 Chairman Report Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:08 Director Report Ms. Brandy Lynch, ED Director 4:13 Next Meeting Set for November 19, 2024, 4:00pm, EDC Boardroom, 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman 4:13 **Adjourn Mr. G. Phillip Allen, Chairman **Action Requested Notes: $0.00 $5,000,000.00 $10,000,000.00 $15,000,000.00 $20,000,000.00 $25,000,000.00 $30,000,000.00 May-23 May-24 Jun-23 Jun-24 Jul-23 Jul-24 Sales Tax Person Caswell Orange Durham Granville $841.00 $1,857.00 $1,108.00 $1,348.00 $1,477.00 $942.00 $854.00 $1,648.00 $1,047.00 $1,198.00 $1,358.00 $901.00 $850.00 $1,741.00 $1,030.00 $1,222.00 $1,421.00 $900.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 $2,000.00 $3,000.00 $4,000.00 $5,000.00 $6,000.00 Caswell County Durham County Granville County North Carolina Orange County Person County Average Weekly Wage 2023 Q1 Q2 Q3 Person County Demographic Report February 2023 – August 2024 196 Projects Were Worked Top 3 Reasons Why Projects Were Not Submitted: 1. 5-10 Miles for an Interstate 2. 32ft – 40ft Ceiling Height 3. Close Proximity to a Major Airport 0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 3.00% 3.50% 4.00% 4.50% 5.00% Caswell County Durham County Granville County North Carolina Orange County Person County July 2024 Unemployment Rates 11 29 8 57 38 53 1 0 2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Jun-24 Jul-24 Aug-24 Permit Activity SFD (Single Family Dwelling)Bldg (No-mods)Modular Homes 7 5 8 11 38 48 61 57 2 2 1 1 Permit Activity SFD (Single Family Dwelling)Bldg (No-mods)Modular Homes 0.00% 0.50% 1.00% 1.50% 2.00% 2.50% 3.00% 3.50% 4.00% Caswell County Durham County Granville County North Carolina Orange County Person County April 2024 Unemployment Rates $- $5,000,000.00 $10,000,000.00 $15,000,000.00 $20,000,000.00 $25,000,000.00 March 2023 Net Collections March 2024 Net Collections April 2023 Net Collections April 2024 Net Collections May 2023 Net Collections May 2024 Net Collections Sales Tax Person Caswell Orange Durham Granville February 2023 – June 2024 172 Projects Were Worked Top 3 Reasons Why Projects Were Not Submitted: 1. 5-10 Miles for an Interstate 2. 32ft – 40ft Ceiling Height 3. Close Proximity to a Major Airport $841.00 $1,857.00 $1,108.00 $1,348.00 $1,477.00 $942.00 $854.00 $1,648.00 $1,047.00 $1,198.00 $1,358.00 $901.00 $850.00 $1,741.00 $1,030.00 $1,222.00 $1,421.00 $900.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 $2,000.00 $3,000.00 $4,000.00 $5,000.00 $6,000.00 Caswell County Durham County Granville County North Carolina Orange County Person County Average Weekly Wage 2023 Q1 Q2 Q3 Person County Demographic Report EDC Minutes for July 23, 2024 Minutes of the PCEDC Regularly Scheduled Meeting Person County EDC Board Room 303 S. Morgan St., Roxboro, NC 27573 July 23, 2024 Voting Board Members Present: Dr. Scott McKinney-Vice Chairman Mr. Donald Long Mr. Jay Poindexter The Honorable Gordon Powell The Honorable Merilyn Newell Mr. Kenneth Perry Mr. Jody Blackwell Voting Board Members Absent: Ms. Sherry Clayton Mr. Phillip Allen-Chairman Ex Officios Present: Dr. Claudia Berryhill, Agricultural Representative Mr. Brooks Lockhart, City Manager Dr. Pamela Senegal, PCC President Ex Officios Absent: Ms. Katherine Cathey, County Manager Dr. Rodney Peterson, PCS Superintendent ED Staff Present: Others Present: Ms. Brandy Lynch, Director Mr. George Willoughby Mr. Bryan Eatmon, Existing Industry Specialist Mr. Brian Hart Ms. Briana Whitt, ED Specialist (Minutes) Mr. Bo Freeman Ms. Dana Blackwell Ms. Julie Maybee Ms. Sherry Wilborn EDC Welcome and Invocation: At 4:00 p.m., Vice-Chairman McKinney called the meeting to order. Mr. Jody Blackwell gave the invocation. EDC Minutes for July 23, 2024 Approval of Minutes: Chairman Allen recognized the Honorable Merilyn Newell for approving the March 26, 2024, and May 28, 2024 minutes. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to approve the March 26, 2024, and May 28, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion: Mr. Donald Long Second: Mr. Jody Blackwell NCEDA Update: Mr. Eatmon informed the board that he and Ms. Whitt attended the June NCEDA summer conference in Wilmington. This conference, which focuses on economic development and planning, provided them with the opportunity to meet key stakeholders and hear from influential speakers, thereby gaining valuable insights. Engaging with new people in such forums is instrumental in learning about innovative strategies and best practices in economic development. Dr. Melissa Berman was an interesting speaker to Mr. Eatmon and pertinent to Person County. She is a consultant with Career Potential LLC. Dr. Berman is entering businesses, helping them streamline and learn more about their employee workforce. She really spoke about thriving in a multi-generational environment. It's interesting because we currently have five generations in the workforce, in that traditionalist generation, which is definitely bad. People don't want to work anymore. It's really an opportunity rather than a hindrance to businesses having different generations in the workforce, in that each generation will bring a different set of skills and a different attitude, imperative for a company to understand that and capitalize and learn their workforce. Linda Mosley presented innovative marketing with 365-degree total marketing and thought it was perfect for us because traditional video marketing has primarily been data-driven. So, it is a lot of numbers, like to know what the workforce is, what your product is, and what your education systems are, and you don't want to dismiss that because it is super important to know the data. One of the trends she has noticed is that many more videos are leaning more toward the quality of life and placemaking. At this conference, many people asked where Person County was located. Ms. Lynch mentioned she saw a 360 Marketing table at a conference last spring and really liked the marketing tools they offered. They were different and unique. We are currently working with 360 Marketing on a few items for a marketing campaign. EDC Minutes for July 23, 2024 Mr. Eatmon shared a brochure that he had been working on with the board to get feedback. He asked the board not to share the draft with anyone quite yet. Director Report: Ms. Lynch wanted to welcome Mr. Hart, the assistant county manager who was gracious enough to come. Ms. Lynch also wanted to thank Mr. Eatmon and Ms. Whitt for all the hard work while she was out due to an unexpected surgery. Just a few highlights from the Economic Development Department: from May through July, the economic development staff kicked off the production of the market flyers. He uses some of the beautiful artwork throughout the office space for the flyer. We also probably had a 30- minute call with him, telling him all about the county's history and what we know about it, so we're supposed to get the proof back in about three weeks. We have submitted the Person County Mega Park for rezoning, a significant step in our long-term economic development plan. This project, which has been in the works for some time, has finally reached a stage where we can move forward with the rezoning process. Ms. Lynch attended the planning board meeting, where the rezoning of the Person County Mega Park was unanimously passed by zoning. Now, it's up to the commissioners on August 5, and Ms. Lynch will also attend that meeting. Person County Economic Development has an exciting item that will be added into the goodie bags for Cultivate 2024, our upcoming economic development event. The registration is still open, and flyers are included in the packet today. We encourage all of you to sign up and be part of this important event for our county's economic growth. Ms. Lynch stated that she has had several meetings with Golden Leaf on the future of the North Park project. Ms. Lynch hopes that you all will sign up to visit Cultivate 24. Ms. Lynch was lucky enough to be part of the panel that gave suggestions for speakers, and her suggestion was picked for the keynote speaker. Ms. Lynch shared a video about the keynote speaker for the event just so everyone could get an understanding of her choice. Ms. Lynch turns the floor over to Mr. Blackwell or Ms. Blackwell. Mr. Blackwell started off by making the board aware that they currently have 2 tables set up at Cultivate 2024 if anyone wanted to share anything to showcase. The chamber had a good morning coffee hour last week to get a sense of where everything is. There has been a lot of turnover and change in the chamber. Ms. Blackwell has stepped in as interim director and has reached out. I already have lots of sponsorships going on for personality. Mr. EDC Minutes for July 23, 2024 Blackwell gave a big thank you to Julie, so personality has taken off because, basically, the chamber has been partnering with tourism to do personality as usual. Mr. Perry asked for an update on fiber insulation. Mr. Hart gave an update. There are currently 3 grants administered, and federal or state grant projects are ongoing, and different phases are adopted which is the role of the Digital Opportunity Fund is a federally administered grant that was awarded to Spectrum, and it's drawing to a conclusion. The other two or three, are great grant projects; as you are likely familiar with, one has been awarded to Brightspeed. Ms. Lynch stated the county switched cell phone providers last week. They were with Verizon and now are with AT&T. The two key issues were safety and coverage. Dr. McKinney reminded the board that an email went out asking them to sign up for Cultivate 2024 and register early. Dr. McKinney stated that Chairman Powell proposed at the commissioner's meeting, at least that they discuss the elimination of the EDC board, within the current county structure. The EDC has three employees capable of carrying out economic development business. This change could eliminate back-to-back meetings and frequent duplication of agenda items, streamline the county's economic development efforts, and eliminate lengthy and unproductive meetings that can be a burden to volunteer members. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. in the Person County EDC Board Room 303 S. Morgan St. Roxboro, NC. Approval of Minutes: Chairman Allen recognized The Honorable Merilyn Newell for the approval of the March 26, 2024 and May 28, 2024 minutes. A motion made, seconded, and unanimously approved to approve the March 26, 2024 and May 28, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion: Mr. Donald Long Second: Mr. Jody Blackwell Adjournment: A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to adjourn the meeting at Approximately 4:57 p.m. EDC Minutes for July 23, 2024 Motion: Mr. Jody Blackwell Second: Mr. Jay Poindexter _____________________________________ ______________________________________ Date Approved Secretary Highlights May-July • Economic Development staff kicked off production of the Marketing Flyer • Submitted Person County Mega Park for rezoning • Attended planning board meeting where the rezoning of the Person County Mega Park unanimously passed • Planning for Cultivate 2024 is still underway. • Person County Economic Development has an item in the goody bag for Cultivate 2024. • Registration is open for Cultivate 2024. Over 90 people have registered • Reminder: Dominion and Duke Energy partnered to sponsor the keynote speaker • Jennifer Pharr Davis has agreed to sign autographs and have a book giveaway • Began getting estimates on the Economic Development revamped website • Raleigh Regional Airport had an excellent meeting two weeks ago about possible plans • Market Analysis meetings are ongoing with possible partners/firms • Brandy had several meetings with Golden Leaf on the North Park project • Bryan and Bri attended the NCEDA Annual Conference • Bri will start her NCCED classes in the fall of 2025; Bri and Brandy have already started the ECU part of the program • Bryan has taken part in the trail information sessions • Local industry visits have continued in a much more positive light, with a great response • Staff is working on employee numbers for the Person County CAFR Information for the EDC Advisory Board • Person County Updates • Mayo Park expansion will be starting the bidding process soon • Person County hosted the district softball Little League International tournament • The 2024-2025 budget was passed by the Person County Board of Commissioners • Person County Library Director has taken a position at UNCG • Person County switched cell phone providers. Safety and Funding were key issues • The tax office had unprecedented compliance • Person County EMS gained Funding for Stryker ALS360 • The funding request for Tar River Land Conservancy for Mt Harmony Tract was approved by the Person County Board of Commissioners • Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce changes • URG will host Touch a Truck on August 9, 5:30-8:00, in Schewel’s parking lot • Bring school supplies Summer Conference Wilmington, NC June 25th-27th NC Carolina Core Networking Event 150 mile swath of central North Carolina along US 421 extending from Yadkinville to near Fayetteville that encompasses Winston Salem, Greensboro, High Point, and Sanford. Attendees included: EDPNC Chatham Economic Development Corporation Moore County Economic Development Partnership Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Surry County Economic Development Partnership Harnett County Economic Development High Point Economic Development Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation Duke Energy Thriving in a Multigenerational Environment Dr. Melissa Furman, Career Potential, LLC •Five generations are currently in the workforce: -Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z •Understanding differences and learning from those differences is critical to any organization’s success •No longer does a “one size fits all” approach work •Instead, the employer (and employees) must understand the different intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of different generations •Opportunity for businesses to capitalize on different skill sets, better utilize their workforce, and, in some sectors, appeal to a wider client base. Innovative Marketing Linda Mosely, 365 Degree Total Marketing Traditional marketing for Economic Development Organizations centered on data •Workforce data, product availability, education, etc. Instead of focusing on data driven marketing, lean into quality of life and placemaking. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/0968e0d6753b4eb59b0b70ebb361f2cb VGCC BUSINESS & INDUSTRY CONNECT The Ties that Bind Thursday, October 31, 2024 - VGCC CIVIC CENTER - 8:00 am-2 pm Event Agenda Jim Link, Chief Human Resources Officer - SHRM Talent, Tech & Leadership | Shaping the Modern Workplace Brett Brenton, Regional Impact Manager - MyFutureNC NC Data and Trends in the new reality Lunch Industry Round Table Discussions Industry Leadership Q and A Economic Development Q and A Economic Development Directors/ College Presidents Register now space is limited https://vgcc.jotform.com/240423739358057 Event Contact Ken Wilson wilsonk@vgcc.edu The digital inclusion taskforce is committed to engaging with community stakeholders to identify and address digital disparities, create opportunities for digital skill-building, and advocate for policies that promote digital equity and inclusion. By developing a countywide digital inclusion plan, we aim to empower our community members with the resources they need to succeed in the digital age and create a more inclusive and prosperous community for all. Person County Digital Inclusion Taskforce Share Your FeedbackOur Mission Volunteer on the community taskforce Attend a listening session or a Board of Commissioners meeting Contact us and ask questions (information below) Interested in getting involved? Here are the ways you can: digitalequity@personcountync.gov 304 S Morgan St, Roxboro NC, 27573 (336) 330-2233 Connecting People, Improving Person Our Vision For everyone in Person County to have the access and skills to participate in a digital world. Person County Broadband Survey State Digital Equity Survey Get Involved! tinyurl.com/343axpub tinyurl.com/4nhvt74k Assess Needs & Resources Set Goals and Strategies Write and Implement Digital Inclusion Plan Involve the Community Throughout the Process Determine digital needs in community and identify pre-existing resources to address those needs Set community-centered goals, as well as timelines and plans to meet those goals Develop a draft to incorporate needs, resources, goals, and strategies, and execute the plan once finished Involve the community in every single step of the process by attending community events, hosting listening sessions, including community members on the taskforce, and opening the draft plan for public comment What are the Taskforce's Goals? Person County's Digital Inclusion Taskforce is a group of county and community representatives committed to developing and implementing a plan to achieve digital equity in Person County. Digital Inclusion aims to improve: What is Digital Inclusion? Digital Equity refers to the goal of all people having equal access to digital resources, such as the Internet or a device. Digital Inclusion refers to the efforts made to achieve digital equity. Internet Availability Internet Affordability Device Access Digital Literacy Do residents have sufficient options for high-speed Internet? Can residents afford a high-speed Internet subscription? Do residents have a way to use the Internet? Do residents know how to use computers and navigate the Internet? Technical Support Do residents have access to help if they need it? What is the Digital Inclusion Taskforce?