January 2019

1. Central Carolina Community College’s Small Business Center report. Jon Spoon is the director of the center. Conducts seminars and training as well as consults with business owners. He serves as part of the County’s pre-application permit team when a business is involved. Provides connections to local services. Budget of $215,000 is shared between CCCC and Chatham Economic Development Corp.

2. Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. Opened in March 2017, the conference center provides the largest exhibit and meeting space in Chatham County. In this report covering 2018 there were 912 events booked and $135,269 was generated in revenue. Most Saturdays are booked for events with a few exceptions in January, July, and August. Most scheduled events are for government (non-paying) and non-profit functions, however, 22% of bookings are for private events. Policies allow for internal government events to be scheduled up to 90 days in advance, and non-profit bookings can be scheduled up to 6 months in advance.

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December 3, 2018

1. Oath of office for newly elected Commissioners:  Diana Hales (Dist. 3) , James Crawford (Dist. 4), Walter Petty (Dist. 5).
2. New BOC Chair, Mike Dasher;  Vice Chair, Diana Hales.
3. Adopted Geodetic Survey’s resurvey of the Common Boundary between Chatham and Harnett counties.

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November 19, 2018

1. 1.  Emergency Housing and Weatherization report.  These two programs are managed by Central Piedmont Community Action non-profit.  County contributed $13,000 for rapid rehousing (emergency) housing in hotels for homeless: program served 8 families.  Weatherization program (ducts, windows, vents, insulation…two-year wait list) serves citizens below 200% of poverty level, including renters. Nineteen homes received services, and six received heat and air conditioning units.
   2. County Boundary between Chatham and Harnett.  Boundary was moved after NC Geodetic Survey (State agency) resurveyed the corner of Wake-Harnett-Chatham.  Two Chatham homes will now be in Harnett county jurisdiction (that puts them in a different school district).  Boundary to be adopted December 3 by both Harnett and Chatham Boards of Commissioners.
   3. Public Hearings on 12 selected businesses in the formerly unzoned portion of Chatham County.  These owners wanted to have their R-1 zoning (the default designation when county was zoned in August 2016) changed to appropriate business or industrial classification.  BOC had offered this free rezoning option in 2017 for those property owners who qualified and requested. Referred to Planning Board.

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October 15, 2018

1. Mental Health in Schools.  Per Dr. Amanda Harkness, Chatham Co. Schools has increased training for teachers.  Main issues for children are anxiety and depression.  Schools focusing on strategies to support students socially and mentally with school-based problem solving.  Chatham schools has achieved a 40% reduction in suspensions over past 3 years.  Notable that third graders are at highest risk because of bullying.
2. Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center.  Successful first year of operation.  Chatham government, schools and local non-profits accounted for the majority of the 630 events, but private events generated $113,699 in revenue.  Policy changes being considered include liability insurance, extending alcohol service hours and adding provisions for non-caterers with ABC license to serve, packaged snacks, and the number of days space can be reserved in advance.

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There has been no traction in NC legislature for environmental bills EXCEPT to LOSE protections.

We must elect MORE Democrats in the NC Legislature, to overturn destructive environmental legislation that has been passed in the past 10 years.  Thank God for Representative Pricey Harrison, who at least files bills to provide FUNDING for Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

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