Events

Having a "big picture" economic development strategy will help the Town and other partners in economic and community development shape policy and prioritize investments in a proactive manner. The strategy will serve as a guide for understanding choices and making decisions.

The Council Committee on Economic Development, which includes Mayor pro tem Jim Ward and Council members Mark Kleinschmidt, Bill Strom and Ed Harrison, has drafted an economic development draft strategy with Town Manager Roger L. Stancil and Dwight Bassett, economic development officer. After community input this March, the draft plan will be reviewed by the Town Council for consideration.

Discussions about developing an economic development strategy for the town tie back to the Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2000. The Council renewed its commitment to developing a strategy when it created the position of economic development officer in June 2006. The position is expected to communicate Town policy and Council expectations to businesses as it assists businesses with understanding processes of Town government.

The draft of Chapel Hill's economic development strategy is available at www.townofchapelhill.org/economic_development. Its summary statement proposes: " The Town of Chapel Hill will work innovatively and proactively to diversify local economic opportunities by retaining and supporting existing jobs, and attracting new, desirable jobs in locations convenient to transit and housing. Our goal is to build a more sustainable economy for the 21st century by creating a healthy balance among employment, housing and commercial development. In all of our development efforts, the Town of Chapel Hill places importance on the built & natural environment, community character, transit orientation, social equity and quality of life for its citizens."

The Town of Chapel Hill parks and recreation department is working with a citizen-led steering committee and former Earth Action Fest organizers to plan the town's first Earth Action Day Celebration atop the James C. Wallace Parking Deck on Rosemary Street to be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26.

A free event for the whole family, Earth Day on the Plaza will provide a fun-filled afternoon of learning more about our planet and the human relationship with the environment through demonstrations, performances, and activities by and for all ages.

The Town is now accepting applications to participate in the event as an exhibitor, performer or food vendor. Applications are available by contacting the Parks & Recreation Department at 919-968-2784. Applicants must show how their booth or performance ties into the Earth Day theme. Students, residents, and schools are also encouraged to participate through a number of community service and artistic avenues, such as stream cleaning, poster making, Earth Day performances or entering works of art into the Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission's Community Art Project "Elements." The four elements: earth, wind, fire and water are believed to be the essence of life. (www.chapelhillarts.org)