Laserfiche WebLink
<br />August 16, 2004 <br /> <br />~...j...,....¡,. "..'.' ..,.,!?1...).'.~\.,..... <br />;"'~.w Cl, ;" <br />:,1 " [;1"':" <br />~ $. iJ" <br /> <br />Page 601 <br /> <br />T <br /> <br />their entirety, as shown in Option 2 of the proposed amendments <br />referenced above. Adoption of the federal rules will ensure that <br />North Carolina remains economically competitive with other states <br />in the Southeast. Fair and consistent NSR rules are crucial to <br />maintain and grow our state's economy. <br /> <br />The regulatory clarity and operational flexibility provided by <br />the federal NSR rules will encourage industry to upgrade, <br />modernize, and improve their facilities in environmentally and <br />economically beneficial ways that are currently hindered by the <br />burdensome NSR permitting process. For these reasons, EPA <br />predicts an overall decline in air emissions as a result of <br />implementation of these new NSR rules. <br /> <br />Adoption of the federal NSR rules will not negatively impact <br />North Carolina's air quality. Health-based National Ambient Air <br />Quality Standards, and the programs' and requirements to protect <br />those standards will not be affected by the NSR revisions. In <br />fact, air quality in North Carolina and the United States is <br />improving due to federal and state emissions reductions programs, <br />and that trend will continue. Adoption of the federal NSR rules <br />will complement those efforts. <br /> <br />The federal NSR rules represent a proper balance of the <br />environment and the economy. Adopting limitations that are not <br />required by any federal regulation sends the wrong message to <br />current and prospective business and industrY and will place <br />North Carolina at an economic disadvantage. Therefore,. the <br />Cabarrus County Board of' Commissioners urges the North Carolina <br />Environmental Management Commission to adopt the federal version <br />of the NSR rules. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br />/s/ Robert M. Freeman <br />Chairman, Board of Commissioners <br /> <br />(G) <br /> <br />NEW BUSINESS <br /> <br />(G-8) <br /> <br />New Structure of the Economic Development Corporation <br /> <br />E. K. "Toby" Prewitt, Chairman of the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of <br />Commerce Board of Directors and Chairman of the restructured Cabarrus <br />Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board, discussed a new approach to <br />economic development in Cabarrus County. He stated a study earlier this year <br />by James Johnson of the Business School at the University of North Carolina <br />at Chapel Hill had suggested that the scope of economic development be <br />broadened, that the business community be involved and that there be greater <br />participation and cooperation among all governmental entities. The study had <br />also identified a number of needs such as comprehensive land use planning, an <br />aggressive branding campaign, a business retention program and a professional <br />industrial recruiter. <br /> <br />Mr. Prewitt outlined changes that had been made to the structure of <br />EDC in response to that study. In June 2004, the EDC Board of Directors had <br />voted themselves off the board and created a new board that included the <br />County Manager, Concord City Manager, KannapolisCity Manager, Harrisburg <br />Town Administrator, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and the Chief <br />Executive Officer of the Chamber. Also, the following Chief Executive <br />Officers (CEO's) were named to the EDC Board with each company agreeing to <br />contribute $15,000.00 per year for three years to EDC: H. A. "Humpy" Wheeler <br />of Lowes Motor Speedway; Lawrence Kimbrough of First Charter Nationa1' Bank; <br />Mike Coltrane of CT Communications; Larry Hinsdale of NorthEast Medical <br />Center; Lynne Scott Safrit of Atlantic American Properties; Troy Day of Day <br />Enterprises and Jeff Turner (General Manager) of Hendrick Motorsports. Mr. <br />Prewitt reported the proposed initial EDC budget of $638,000.00+ would be <br />funded with the following contributions: êabarrus County $438,000.00; <br />cities $100,000.00 ($1.00 per capita); and Investor Directors <br />$100,000.00. Further, Mr. Prewitt reviewed plans to create an investor-based <br />"Committee of 100" that would .be comprised of representatives from local <br />businesses making a contribution of a specified amount to the EDC. Those <br />Committee members would be allowed to sit on and lead retention, expansion, <br />recruitment and development and other committees. <br /> <br />Mr. Prewitt also discussed the proposed creation of the Cabarrus <br />Regional Partnership, which was described as a virtual, umbrella organization <br /> <br />A.. \ <br /> <br />.1 <br /> <br />