The city of Orange will again join the Orange County Economic Development Corporation, but will pay a lesser amount than in the past. The city last year withdrew its support of $25,000 a year to the county corporation. On Monday, the Orange City Council received proposed budgets that will pay the county corporation $5,000 for the 2016-2017 budget year.
Orange is the only city in the county with its own Economic Development Corporation, which is funded by a half-cent per dollar sales tax approved by voters. The county has had a separate Economic Development Corporation that is financed with contributions from by the county, cities and the Port of Orange.
Last year, several cities withdrew their contributions to the county group. The county corporation was disbanded and the director was without a job. Then earlier this year, the county corporation was reorganized and a new director was hired.
City of Orange EDC Director Jay Trahan Monday gave the proposed city EDC budget to the corporation’s board of directors and the Orange City Council. The budget now has the $5,000 payment for the county group.
City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre told the group that the “prior administration (for the county EDC) did not include the city” in searching for new businesses and industries. He said the new director has reached out to the city and is working together.
Trahan said if the city joins the county EDC, he will be able to sit on confidential meetings with businesses and industries.
The new city EDC budget totals about $2.57 million with more than $1.57 million for projects.
The projects, previously approved by the board and council, include $350,000 for utility relocations of the 15th Street project along the future Interstate 10 eastbound access road. Also, the list has $650,000 for the Eagle Point Boulevard construction off Interstate 10 at Highway 62, and $60,000 to Bates & Co. for the renovation of a downtown building. In addition, the city EDC has budgeted $329,000 to extend water and sewer lines westward along Allie Payne Road.
Trahan said the city EDC budget includes $25,000 to the private consulting firm of Griffith, Moseley and Johnson, which is based in Jefferson County. The city last year allocated the same amount to the firm.
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