Meeting Minutes of the Joint Work Session between

the Cary Town Council and the Economic Development Commission

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

12:30 PM

Cary Chamber of Commerce Board Room
307 North Academy Street , Cary , N.C.
www.townofcary.org

The work session was called to order at 12:35 p.m.

Council and Commission Members Present: Mayor Ernie McAlister, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith, Council Members Jennifer Robinson, Julie Robison, Michael Joyce, and Marla Dorrel; Bonnie Brown, Spencer Combos, David Finger, Vinnie Goel, Phil Gorge, Bill Johnson, Wayne Loots, Stan Norwalk, Bern Steiner

Absent: Council Member Nels Roseland, Commission Member Betsy Justice

ACTION: Phil Gorge made a motion to approve the October 19, 2004 Economic Development Commission minutes. Mr. Combos provided the second, and the commission granted unanimous approval.

Individual commission members provided background and an overview of various areas of the EDC’s recent work. (Copies of the work session materials are attached to and incorporated in these minutes as Exhibit A.)

Mr. Loots summarized other discussions of the EDC, including targeted goals and available economic development options for the Town, as well as implementation strategies.

The commission recommended that the Council create an economic development position for the Town of Cary to compliment and augment the Cary Chamber’s economic development efforts. Commission members stated that the position would be an investment for the Town, not a cost to the community, increasing the tax base while maintaining low property tax rates for citizens, creating more jobs, and benefiting businesses and non-profit organizations.

Mayor McAlister thanked the EDC members for their presentations. He reiterated the recommendation of the commission and asked the Council to specifically address that point.

Mayor Pro Tem Smith said that the Town needs to seriously look at and focus on economic development.

Mrs. Robison stated that the commission’s recommendation is a result of the time constraints of the EDC. She said it is nearly impossible for the EDC focus on goals and move to implementation without more assistance from the Town, and that more professional support is needed to carry through on well-defined strategies for the Cary to become more proficient in economic development.

Ms. Dorrel said that it is neither fair nor realistic to expect the EDC to develop a complete economic development marketing strategy for the Town, and an economic development position is needed. She said that efforts need to be focused on how companies find Cary , how Cary appeals to them, and how to market the Town to those selecting locations on behalf of companies. However, before deciding to establish an economic development function in the Town a description for that position is needed. She said that a professionally developed strategic plan needs to be considered, bringing in all stakeholders, and guiding the Council through the steps to allow for a better product for the Town.

Mr. Joyce stated that the Town should provide funds to the chamber to hire an economic development person who would be a dedicated ad hoc person for the Town. He said that the smaller businesses need to receive more attention, and there are things that the Town can do to be more business friendly that will not cost money.

Mrs. Robinson stated that more marketing needs to be done for Town; however, it is difficult to make a decision on a staffed position without all of the data. She requested that a broad description for the position be provided and that it be cross-reference with the Chamber’s functions to determine the necessity of pursing an economic development position for the Town. She said that there is a lot of room for the chamber to meet the Town’s needs.

Mayor McAlister commended the commission members for their presentation. He said that the recommendation to create a staffed economic development position needs to be further studied and that there is value in doing a professional assessment, looking at what other towns have done. He said that the Council is closer to funding a study than funding a position. Council will respond to the EDC either directly or through the Council liaison to the commission as they have the opportunity to examine the issues and determine the best course of action.

The Mayor thanked the commission and applauded them for their hard work and dedication.

The work session ended at 1:50 p.m.