WHEREAS, the Northside community, a traditionally African-American neighborhood on the border with downtown Chapel Hill has long been underserved by basic commercial enterprises and economic development and has been designated an “opportunity area” by the Town Council for the additional economic development of downtown Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, EmPOWERment, Inc., a non-profit community development corporation, has been an invaluable partner with the Town of Chapel Hill in encouraging revitalization of the Northside community through affordable housing development, community organizing, neighborhood preservation, and economic and small business development, (check website for other specifics); and
WHEREAS, the Midway Business Center, a small business incubator located in downtown Chapel Hill and owned and operated by EmPOWERment, Inc., has heavily subsidized small businesses owned by minorities and women, non-profit organizations, and start-up companies since December 2000, by providing office space, business education, affordable utilities, and extensive technical assistance for up to 13 businesses at a time; and
WHEREAS, the Midway Business Center has provided opportunities for Orange County citizens in need by committing at least 51 percent of the jobs created by its tenants to low- to moderate- income persons and providing a variety of services to the residents of the Northside community and of Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the town of Chapel Hill recognizes that the Midway Business Center plays a vital role in the economic development of downtown and of the Northside neighborhood; and
WHEREAS the Town of Chapel Hill has continuously supported EmPOWERment, Inc.'s, efforts in the Northside neighborhood by funding its programs and operations, including the Midway Business Center;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council affirms its support of the Midway Business Center as a charitable and educational enterprise serving the needs of a distressed community and alleviating the burdens of the government; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council supports EmPOWERment, Inc.'s, efforts to petition Orange County for exemption from property taxes on the Midway Office Building under N.C.G.S. § 105-278.7.
This the4th day of December, 2006.