ReViveChapel Hill: Economic Recovery & Resiliency Plan

ReVive Chapel Hill:Economic Recovery & Resiliency PlanAdvisory Committee Meeting #55 January 2021

EY team on today’s call

5 January 2021 ReVive Chapel Hill - Advisory MeetingPage 2

Chris EngleAssociate National Director, Economic Development Advisory ServicesAustin, TX / Asheville, NC+1 512 695 [email protected]

Jennifer VernonProject ManagerEconomic Development Advisory ServicesBirmingham, AL+1 864 270 [email protected]

Agenda

1. Process update2. County plan connectivity3. Strategies and projects4. Questions / feedback5. Next steps


Check-in


Project process


Next:

• Draft report week of Jan. 11

• Presentation to Council on Jan. 8

• Committee review of report

• Finalize report

ReVive Chapel Hill TimelineWeek of:

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan.

Phase / Task 5 12 19 26 2 9 16 23 30 7 14 21 28 4Communications Phase

Internal Communications with ClientAdvisory Board meetings (B), Council (C), Interviews (I) B B I C B I B BFinal presentation B

Step 1: Understanding Our ChallengesResearch Foundation DR FR

Resiliency and Recovery Dashboard DR FRMacro Forces Affecting Recovery Scenarios DR FR

Site Selection Impacts on Target Industries DR FRAdvisory Board Stakeholder Interview Report FR

Step 2: Recovery FrameworkVision and Goals DRStrategic Plan FR

B = Board mtg. DR = Draft Report FR = Final Report

Connectivity


Connectivity to the County plan


Orange County plan• Started July• Completion in Jan/Feb• Working groups in many broad categories:

• Economic• Health/Housing• Human Services• Nat./Cultural Resources• Community Planning• Government

• Community online surveys

Chapel Hill plan• Started Oct.• Completion in Jan.• Focus on

• Economy• Place• People

• Leadership-driven• Secondary research + interviews

Should Chapel Hill’s action plan focus on Economy and connect into County plan for Place and People projects?

Chapel Hill’s plan must be complementary and supportive to the Orange County plan.

Strategies and projects


Economy pillar


Strategy Projects

1. Increase the success of small businesses through enhanced support, connections and recognition

1. Develop a dedicated town program or staff to support minority-owned businesses

2. Establish a task force that identifies solutions for barriers faced by minority entrepreneurs and establish a mentor program for minority entrepreneurs

3. Update and expand information on local, state, and federal programs for small businesses in coordination with the Chamber for COVID recovery and long-term growth

4. Create an internship program for business students where they serve as research consultants for local businesses. Partner with UNC, SBTDC, Launch Chapel Hill, Empowerment MBC and Chamber for training

5. Establish a training program for educating minority-owned businesses on navigating procurement and certification processes for university, hospital, government and other large, local organizations/institutions

6. Implement a coordinated traditional and social media campaign dedicated towards promoting minority-owned businesses in the community

Leading practice


1.4 Create an internship program for business students where they serve as research consultants for local businesses. Partner with the SBTDC, Launch CH, Empowerment and Chamber for training

University of Washington: Ascend

A joint effort between JPMorgan Chase and the University of Washington Foster School of Business’ Consulting and Business Development Center, Ascend is growing businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, and inner-city businesses in 11 cities across the US using the center’s 3m model of Management education, Money through loans and investments, and Market access through contracts with anchor institutions such as universities and hospitals, government agencies and large corporations.

Each year 300+ student participate in consulting projects for small businesses and nonprofit organizations and more than a dozen UW Foster School of Business faculty teach classes for small business owners and employees of mid-size firms.

Chapel Hill focus

Helping small businesses:

• Virtualize their business model / e-commerce

• Evaluate finances / consider bankruptcy recovery options

• Optimize based on industry best practices

• Expand to new markets• Pursue funding/loans

Key components for action


Potential projects will require some level of ”staff” (advisor, volunteer) and funding support.

Human resource requirements

• Leverage existing organizations• New staffing• University students (not only UNC)• Business/entrepreneur volunteers• National organizations• Others?

Funding resource requirements

• Federal relief funding• Federal competitive grant funding• State/local governments• Local non-profits (United Way)• Foundations• Investors / Social Impact Funds (e.g.

Opportunity Zone)• Others?

Rhetorical question: Should a Funding Action Team be started on Day 1?

We can point you to potential funding sources.

Economy pillar


Strategy Projects

2. Continue to develop the ecosystem for university spinoffs and innovative startup companies to thrive here

1. Establish an innovation advisory group consisting of local startups, UNC leaders, economic development leaders, chamber and local developers to identify gaps in the existing ecosystems and core priorities (space, funding, mentors, service providers, etc.)

2. Implement coordinated traditional and social media campaigns to highlight the success and support of local spinoffs and startups

3. Continue to build space and programming that supports not only business’ growth needs but opportunities for the collision of ideas

4. Continue to grow programs like Launch Chapel Hill

Economy pillar


Strategy Projects

3. Actively recruit employers and entrepreneurs aligned with UNC programs, Town targets and development goals

1. Establish a standing meeting of the economic development teams from the Town of Chapel Hill, Orange County, EDPNC and the university to discuss opportunities to align and support recruitment efforts.

2. Leverage homecoming events to create networking opportunities for possible boomerang entrepreneurs with local entrepreneurs. Market Chapel Hill to UNC Alumni to relocate (see People pillar).

3. Develop the core marketing materials (presentation, online content, flyer) needed to sell Chapel Hill to targeted employers. Include testimonials from existing employers, core assets, etc.

4. Evaluate and update incentives available for target employers (such as adding a worker residency component).

Target businesses


Target specific industries to send a clear message to the marketplace, focus programs and funding, and align with goals and real estate product.

Recruitment

• Research and development• Applied sciences• Technology• Start-ups

• Select regional targets: Agtech, Cleantech, Life Sciences

• Requires deeper analysis of UNC research capabilities

Expansion

• Locally owned businesses• Minority businesses• UNC spinoffs• Aspiring entrepreneurs• Student businesses• Others?

Place pillar


Strategy Projects

1. Launch programming that showcases Chapel Hill and increases foot traffic to its commercial areas

1. Develop a calendar of programs and events to bring more traffic into downtown and other priority corridors. Consider events that leverage university, health system and initiatives, local businesses, local entertainers/talents, etc.

2. Leverage underutilized space (vacant lots, retail space, etc.) for pop up events to increase awareness of available space.

3. Coordinate traditional and social media campaigns across core community partners to promote events and initiatives.

4. Evaluate the expansion of outdoor recreation spaces and sports venues in an effort to attract more sports-related tournaments to the area.

5. Consider a series of public art installations to showcase a unique aspect of the community that also encourage residents and tourists to explore more of the town.

Place pillar


Strategy Projects

2. Develop the plans and partnerships for a bikeable, walkable and more accessible community

1. Update the 2012 comprehensive plan and consider a transportation study to determine specific ways to increase the accessibility of Chapel Hill (walking, biking, parking, accessible access, public transportation, etc.

2. Seek out creative funding and partnership opportunities for accomplishing priority projects. Examples might include a sponsor of the bike trail or university-town-county partnership on next-generation transportation and smart city technology.

3. Identify a list of priority development opportunities and a plan for presenting these ideas to targeted developers within the region.

4. Establish workshops/trainings once plan is complete to educate all developers on the new plan and the types of developments that can be fast-tracked

Comprehensive planning


A lot of these Place decisions are made in your comprehensive plan, which is 8 years old.

Should it be updated given pandemic impacts?

Place pillar


Strategy Projects

3. Encourage developments and incentives that increase the variety and affordability of housing

1. Align with Orange County Recovery and Transformation Plan on initiatives related to housing affordability and accessibility

2. Include housing variety and affordability as a priority in the next comprehensive plan. Consider a review of policies related to accessory dwelling units and housing density.

3. Identify incentives supporting homeownership for identified essential occupations (teachers, nurses, etc.)

4. Create policies or incentives that encourage developers to invest in projects with mixed income housing

Place pillar


Strategy Projects

4. Establish a reputation for being open for business and welcoming to all people

1. Establish a marketing partnership/committee to develop, fund, and execute a local and national marketing campaign for promoting Chapel Hill

2. Hire a consulting firm to develop the town’s brand elements and strategy

3. Delegate content development responsibilities based on target audiences

4. Encourage local ambassadors/influencers to boost social media campaign performance through contests and recognition

People pillar


Strategy Projects

1. Build a talent pipeline that connect students, residents, and employers to opportunities for learning, earning and serving

1. Convene the recommended committee for talent pipeline development for Chapel Hill that coordinates with other talent initiatives on the county and regional level. Include K12 educators, department heads from key targets from university and community college, major employer representatives, workforce development groups, chamber, faith community, etc.

2. Identify priority needs in the talent pipeline and collaborate for solutions. Examples might include mentorships, apprenticeships, internships, community service opportunities, leadership training, etc. Other examples include how to leverage university resources to bring education opportunities to non-traditional students (adult learners and others)

People pillar


Strategy Projects

2. Support nonprofits and other community partners as they provide social services to address the needs of disadvantaged communities

1. Convene the core service providers and non-profit organization to map out available services, as well as potential gaps and overlaps.

2. Support the development of a mobile friendly service directory

3. Leverage this group to identify barriers to work that can be addressed by employer-government-education-nonprofit collaboration.

People pillar


Strategy Projects

3. Target alumni and remote workers in a campaign that showcases Chapel Hill as a place to grow their impact and ideas

1. Evaluate an incentive program for relocations. Recognize the support systems that also need to be in play to connect these people to the community.

2. Prioritize/fast-track developments with coworking spaces and shared community spaces that are attractive to recruits

3. Leverage homecoming and other special events to entice visitors to explore Chapel Hill. Set up a tour for these visitors that can be self-guided or guided by a town ambassador.

4. Ask university for support in distributing these welcome back messages in the alumni communications and in career conversations with current students.

Questions / feedback


Questions / feedback


General thoughts / takeaways?

Before we ask you questions…

Economy pillar leading practices

Page 25 5 January 2021 ReVive Chapel Hill - Advisory Meeting

For which strategies and initiatives could we bring more leading practices to assist you?

• Funding• Marketing/branding• Attraction• Entrepreneurship• Others?

Next Steps


Next steps

Advisory committee• Provide feedback to strategies• Review draft report in January

EY• Bring leading practices to specific priority projects• Develop Recovery & Resiliency plan• Presentation to Council Jan. 8


Thank you!


Documents

ReViveChapel Hill: Economic Recovery & Resiliency Plan