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Public Hearing - RE: Commissioner Keigher - To Approve an Appropriation, Not to Exceed $45,000, for Gaston County’s Cost Share to Participate in a Collaborative Public-Private Development of a Gaston County-Charlotte Airport Economic Positioning Strategy, to be Conducted by MXD Development Strategists and Coordinated by the Greater Gaston Development Corporation (GGDC), Having Determined that the Proposed Appropriation will Improve the Business Prospects of the County (Fund Balance - $45,000)
1. Receive Citizen Comment
2. Adopt Board Action
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STAFF CONTACT
Donna S. Buff - Clerk to the Board - 704-866-3196
BUDGET IMPACT
budget
Fund Balance Appropriation.
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BUDGET ORDINANCE IMPACT
Decrease General Fund and Increase Special Programs Account.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 158-7.1, a public hearing is required for the Board of Commissioners to consider a request for an appropriation (not to exceed $45,000) to participate in a collaborative public-private development of a Gaston County-Charlotte Airport Economic Positioning Strategy, coordinated by the Greater Gaston Development Corporation (GGDC). At its public hearing of 3/28/2017, the Board must determine that the appropriation will, at a minimum, improve the “business prospects of the county.” Approval of this Board Action authorizes the County Manager or designee to execute the attached contract on behalf of Gaston County.
The GGDC proposes:
• To coordinate the Positioning Strategy with MXD Development Strategists. This firm conducted an airport area strategic development plan in December for the City of Charlotte and GGDC proposes to utilize the data developed in this process to develop an economic development strategy for Gaston County.
• Project to be overseen by a Steering Committee with senior representatives of the major stakeholders and Charlotte. Due to the technical nature of the project, a Technical Coordinating Committee would also be formed.
• GGDC would coordinate the necessary Gaston stakeholders and provide contracting, financial and contract management services. They estimate 6-8 months to prepare the Gaston Positioning Strategy, from the date of contracting with the development strategy firm.
• Preliminary cost estimate is approximately $230,000, to be secured 50% from private sources and 50% from government sources. Proposed cost shares are as follows: Private sector (GGDC members) - $115,000; Gaston County - $45,000; Gastonia - $35,000; Belmont - $17,500; Mount Holly - $17,500; and smaller municipalities will be recruited at $3,500 per municipality (for each smaller municipality recruited, there will be a proportionate reduction in the amount allocated to the County and the larger 3 municipalities).
POLICY IMPACT
N/A
ATTACHMENTS
Budget Change Request; GGDC Agreement, Project Overview; MXD Diagrams