Laserfiche WebLink
June 26, 2008 (Recessed Session) Page 890 <br />The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed <br />session in the Multipurpose Room at the Cabarrus County Governmental Center <br />in Concord, North Carolina on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. <br />Present - Chairman: H. Jay White, Sr. <br />Vice Chairman: Joni D. Juba <br />Commissioners: Robert W. Carruth <br />Grace M. Mynatt <br />Absent - Commissioner: .Coy C. Privette <br />Also present were John Day, County Manager; Richard M. Koch, County <br />Attorney; Mike Downs, Deputy County Manager; Pam Dubois, Deputy County <br />Manager; and Kay Honeycutt, Clerk to the Board. <br />Call to Order <br />Chairman White called the "Parking Lot" meeting on Incentives to order <br />at 12:20 p.m. He announced the meeting will adjourn at 1:30 p.m. and that no <br />decisions will be made today. <br />Economic Development Trends in Cabarrus County <br />John Cox, President and CEO of the Cabarrus Economic Development <br />Corporation (EDC), recognized key EDC staff members and highlighted <br />information contained in a report from Wachovia Economics Group, dated June <br />29, 2008. Topics addressed included the following: number ofincentive <br />grants approved by the Board over the years, job opportunities for young <br />professionals in the Charlotte area,- industry employment, Concord Mills' <br />business model, recent market changers, the North Carolina Research Campus, <br />the status of commercial real estate, demand for industrial space, light <br />rail, and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified <br />buildings. A brief discussion ensued, with the following topics being <br />addressed: the need for significant non-residential development and the <br />impact of residential growth on local businesses. <br />Next, Mr. Cox reviewed National, State, and County wage trends; labor <br />trends; employment sectors in Cabarrus County and surrounding areas; history <br />of businesses receiving industrial grants; etc. He also responded to <br />questions from the Board. <br />Agricultural Development <br />John Day, County Manager, reported the County has applied for and <br />received a North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation <br />grant and introduced Debbie Bost, Cooperative Extension Director, to present <br />information regarding agricultural development in Cabarrus County. <br />After distributing handouts, Ms. Bost reported that agriculture is the <br />number one industry in North Carolina, with a total income gross State <br />product of $375 billion. She also reviewed several agricultural statistics <br />for Cabarrus County and responded to questions from the Board. <br />Discussion <br />A lengthy discussion followed, with the following topics being <br />addressed: attracting agricultural industries to the County; encouraging <br />farmer and farmland preservation; zoning and land use; etc. The Board <br />addressed the need for Mr. Cox to have an opportunity to present the <br />remainder of his information at a future meeting. Chairman White suggested a <br />subsequent meeting be scheduled at the July Agenda Work Session. There was a <br />general discussion on the EDC's mission/vision statement, services provided <br />by the EDC, the Board's vision on the types of businesses to be recruited, <br />etc. <br />Adjourn <br />UPON MOTION of Vice Chairman Juba, seconded by Commissioner Carruth, <br />and unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 1:39 p.m. <br />Cler to he B <br />