Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/774879
POLICY DIRECTION Policy Policy Intent Prioritize, promote, and commit to a supportive regulatory, programmatic, and investment environment to attract and nurture small businesses and start-ups, and to support the growth of existing small businesses. The intent of this policy is to encourage and support the development of new small businesses, and the expansion of existing small businesses. In order to realize the objectives of this policy, it is anticipated that the Town will work closely with the Cary Chamber of Commerce and other cooperative entities. A key objective of this policy is to create a local regulatory, programmatic, and business environment that is supportive of small businesses. The overall aim is that the local regulatory and business environment should first avoid creating undue barriers to market entry and market expansion for small enterprises, and second help to support the growth of those businesses. Policy 7: Ensure the Economic Growth and Vitality of Downtown Ensure the economic growth and vitality of Downtown Cary by continuing to invest in and support development of a vibrant town center where residents live, work, and play. The intent of this policy is to show strong support for the continued growth and enhancement of Downtown Cary. As the "heart and soul" of Cary, Downtown is a key community amenity that has impacts on locational appeal to new businesses, business recruitment efforts, and the quality of life provided in Cary. Continued reinvestment, public-private partnerships, and improvements to the built environment area a priority for maintaining a competitive edge in an increasingly competitive regional market. Policy 8: Support the Locational Needs of New and Expanding Firms Support new and expanding firms that have different locational needs. Provide a variety of places, including modern business park developments with prime office and industrial spaces, mixed use employment centers, and Downtown Cary. The intent of this policy addresses the evolving regional and national market for office development, and the locational needs of different business sectors. There is no one-size-fits-all in terms of locational needs for new and expanding firms. This policy supports decisions to provide a variety of employment sites and locations: modern business parks, mixed use employment centers, commercial mixed use and destination centers, and office development within Downtown Cary. This policy also supports ensuring that adequate land is available to develop employment uses in a variety of locations. New developments should be evaluated for the opportunity to incorporate employment uses. This policy is complemented by Policies 2, 10, and 12. Policy 9: Promote High Quality Education Strengthen and support local access to a comprehensive range of high-quality educational opportunities as an important part of Cary's brand and identity. The intent of this policy is to recognize the impact that access to high quality education has on local business recruitment efforts and attracting new workers to Cary. This policy encourages efforts to grow and strengthen the quality, capacity, and accessibility of local educational offerings. The policy applies to all types and levels of education: public and private, K-12, college, graduate education, and specialized professional and technical education and training. This policy recognizes the importance of both local and regional approaches, involving not only the Town, but also local and regional governments and agencies, the state, and the business community, working in cooperation. 39 COUNCIL FINAL PUBLIC MEETING DRAFT [JAN. 24, 2017]