October 26
October 26, 2009
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PERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 26, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT OTHERS PRESENT
Johnny Myrl Lunsford Heidi York, County Manager
Jimmy B. Clayton - ABSENT C. Ronald Aycock, County Attorney
Kyle W. Puryear Brenda B. Reaves, Clerk to the Board
B. Ray Jeffers
Samuel R. Kennington
The Board of Commissioners for the County of Person, North Carolina, met in
recessed session on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners’
meeting room in the Person County Office Building.
Chairman Lunsford called the meeting to order. Chairman Lunsford stated the
subject of the special called meeting was economic development. Commissioner Clayton
was absent.
County Manager, Heidi York noted this meeting was an opportunity to review
economic development, discuss the future of economic development and to provide
direction to the County Manager. Ms. York presented the Board with the following
Overview of Economic Development slideshow:
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Ms. York noted the handouts available to the Board and to the public which
included a summary of information, economic development director job description, a
spreadsheet outlining the economic function in other counties, member lists for the
Economic Development Commission and the Roxboro/Person County Development
Board.
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Mr. Jim Stovall gave the Board an overview of economic development noting:
the benefits of providing income and a tax base,
90% of all new jobs are now service related,
must be global in thinking and planning,
development in rural areas will be in communities that have prepared with
economic infrastructure (water, waste water, fully serviced business parks,
available building, telecommunications, recruiting funds),
over 24,000 groups nationwide to recruit 1,500 projects per year while
only 400 major projects will be available in 2009,
total community development including livability, recreation, education,
infrastructure,
strategic planning involving community,
need for a professional, experienced director in place prior to development
of strategic plan,
need for second economic development staff for administration, small
business and retail duties,
elected officials, managers of both City and County are economic
development with leadership, willingness, vision, funding and unity in
board action,
Person County is years behind in funding – requiring millions to catch up,
needs a recruitment fund with $4-5 million
Common denominators for successful rural program according to Mr. Stovall are:
Professional staff,
A long range plan in place with a vision,
Strong local government and community support, and
Commitment
Mr. Stovall listed the important items that a company considers with selecting a
site are:
Schools in area with availability of skills,
Piedmont Community College – job training,
Existing Industry: 50-80% jobs created by existing industry,
Incentives are required to be competitive,
Access to markets (rail, airport, seaports, highway system),
Partnering and networking:
• RTRP
• City and County of Durham
• NC Commerce
• Bio Tech Center
• Bio Fuels Center
• Local Government – County and City Officials
• Economic Development Commission
• Chamber of Commerce
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• Tourism
• Roxboro Development Group
• Merchant Association
• Business Development Center
Person County Strengths according to Mr. Stovall are:
o Geographical location
o Work ethic
o Less crime, pollution and lower costs than surrounding communities
o Dedicated rail
o Rural livability
o Excellent Schools and Piedmont Community College
o Airport – under-utilized and under-marketed
o Local Government
o Access to information – close to RTP, research universities
o Faith in EDC to make the deal
Person County Weaknesses according to Mr. Stovall are:
o Lack of adequate funding – need to dedicate $1 million per year to catch
up to be competitive
o Lack of a clear, long term plan
o Lack of a professional, experienced economic development director
o Lack of telecommunications – hopeful news forthcoming for 4 cell towers
in the North end of the county, 1 of which dedicated at Hyco Lake
o Web site and Brochures need to be updated
o 501 North lane expansion
o Lack of extended water and sewer
o Do not have shovel ready, fully serviced parks
o Lack of shell building and flex space
Mr. Stovall gave the Board brief project updates that mentioned the following:
o Ag Bio Techs
o Cell Towers
o Wood Companies
o North American Aerodynamics
o Solar Park
Mr. Stovall summarized by stating the next steps should include hiring an
economic development director, work on a plan, and start funding.
Mr. Stovall stated the NC Commerce and RTRP could assist in the search efforts
for a director.
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Mr. Stovall spoke on the Roxboro/Person County Economic Development Study
recommendations as having no authority, no staff, no funding, adding a layer that was not
needed all the while the economic development commission, the Roxboro Development
Group and the Chamber of Commerce were collaborating.
Mr. Stovall explained the role of the Economic Development Commission as one
of a leadership committee, admitting regular meetings were not held however, he make
sure the right people in front of the clients when needed. Mr. Stovall recommended
keeping the economic development commission in place at least until a new director is in
place.
Chairman Lunsford called for the Board to give direction to the County Manager.
Commissioner Puryear recommended proceeding with the search for the economic
development director as well as setting funds aside for a recruitment fund going into the
next budget year. Commissioner Kennington questioned the relationship with the City of
Roxboro as a partner in economic development, hiring a Small Business Recruiter,
promoting Roxboro Development Group as a full time entity with hopes to pull from the
2007 Study to improve the overall program. Commissioner Jeffers agreed with
Commissioner Puryear that an economic development director should be hired as soon as
possible. Commissioner Puryear suggested reducing the membership of the Economic
Development Commission. Commissioner Kennington recommended changing the name
from a Commission to a Board.
It was the consensus of the Board to review the economic development director
job description and send any changes to the County Manager and proceed with the search
for the economic development director to be hired as a county department under the
supervision of the County Manager.
Commissioner Kennington asked the Board members to review their Futures
Committee list noting an Executive Committee meeting will be held on November 5,
2009 and a general meeting involving all committees will be held on November 9, 2009.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Commissioner Puryear, seconded by Commissioner
Jeffers, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Brenda B. Reaves Johnny Myrl Lunsford
Clerk to the Board Chairman