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Durham County considers updates to Business Recruitment policy; commissioners seek diversity, childcare and tracking data
Summary
Staff briefed the Board on updates to the county’s Business Recruitment Program Policy, noting $2.9 billion in projected investment and job gains; commissioners asked for company workforce diversity data, proposals for onsite childcare or subsidies, and clearer tracking metrics to link recruitment incentives to local compensation and workforce outcomes.
County economic development staff reviewed the Business Recruitment Program Policy, most recently revised in 2020, and described performance metrics and policy choices for incentive awards.
Andy Miracle, Economic Development Director, and Matthew Filter, Economic Development Manager, said the program has supported roughly $2.9 billion in projected investment and that portfolio companies exceeded 2021 job targets by creating or maintaining more positions than originally projected. Commissioners requested workforce diversity reporting from prospective companies, information on family‑friendly policies and how companies would support employees, and asked staff to explore subsidies or partnerships for onsite childcare.
The Board directed staff to return with diversity workforce data, options for childcare partnerships or subsidies, an education-to-jobs pipeline plan, and an updated policy language tying Durham County compensation expectations to company commitments. Commissioners also requested a data chart that makes tracking easier for residents to access.
