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Economic Development Advisory Board

Orange County · Economic Development Advisory Board
Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Advisory board meeting Economic development incentivesAppointments and personnelHousing and affordabilityLand conversion and large development

Agenda document Minutes Watch Meeting recap

What's on this agenda

Orange County's economic development advisory board gave 45 minutes on March 17 to a staff presentation on the county's economic development goals, successes and challenges, the longest item on the agenda. The director's report followed.
Under new business the board welcomed a new member and heard about an updated attendance policy.

Summarized from the published agenda. Read the agenda itself before acting on it.

Meeting recap

What happened, drawn from the records published after the meeting. Minutes

Steve Brantley, the county's economic development director, presented an overview of Orange County's economic development goals, successes and challenges. Board members then discussed the Buckhorn, Eno and Hillsborough development districts and ways to grow non-residential tax revenue and jobs. The board also introduced its newest member, Dan Rawlins, who fills the Agriculture seat. Staff described an updated attendance policy that would remove a member who misses half of a one-year term's meetings.
In an earlier discussion, board member Ivy Taylor briefed members on Carolina North, a planned live-work-play campus on part of a 1,000-acre tract. The project would add housing but leave the tract's forest area undeveloped, with a new community advisory committee forming. The board also approved the minutes of its January 13 meeting on a unanimous vote.

How the votes went

The board approved the January 13 minutes unanimously. No other votes were recorded.

From the published minutes.

Speaking at this meeting

Orange County's own rules for public comment — check them before you rely on anything here.

Agenda items (5)

Minutes approval · 1Discussion item · 1Appointment · 1Presentation · 1Staff or committee report · 1
  1. 2 Approval of Minutes
    Minutes approval
    Minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting.
  2. 3 Open Discussion for Board Members
    Discussion item Housing and affordabilityLand conversion and large development
    Board member Ivy Taylor updated the board on Carolina North, a planned live-work-play campus on part of a 1,000-acre tract. The project would add housing but leave the tract's forest area undeveloped, with a new community advisory committee forming.
  3. 4 New Business
    Appointment Appointments and personnel
    Steve Brantley introduced Dan Rawlins as the board's newest member, filling the Agriculture seat. Amanda Garner described a recently updated attendance policy that would remove a member who misses half of a one-year term's meetings.
  4. 5 Presentation on Economic Development Goals, Successes & Challenges
    Presentation Economic development incentives
    Steve Brantley presented on the county's economic development goals, successes and challenges. Board members discussed the Buckhorn, Eno and Hillsborough economic development districts and ways to increase non-residential taxes and jobs.
  5. 6 Director's Report
    Staff or committee report Economic development incentives
    The economic development director's report.

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