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20 <br /> Piedmont Value-Added Shared-Use Food and Agricultural Processing Center <br /> Section II:Project and Applicant Description <br /> 6. Evaluation of Expected Outcomes <br /> Establishment of Processing Center <br /> The short-term goal of the project is to open a regional value-added shared use food and <br /> agricultural processing center in January of 2010 with a range of programs and equipment. The <br /> success of the short term goal will be measured by client use and revenues generated by the <br /> center,as well as training and assistance to farmers and other food entrepreneurs. <br /> Establishment of Processing Center impacts of the project will include: <br /> 1)Developing training programs and services to tobacco farmers who are considering <br /> diversification; <br /> 2)Making equipment and facilities available to farmers and other clients who want to increase <br /> their revenue and bring new value-added local products to market;and <br /> 3)Enabling local institutions to make use of freezer and refrigeration space that would permit <br /> them to increase the use of locally grown food in their organizations. <br /> All trainings and workshops will include printed evaluation forms that will be used to <br /> determine program effectiveness and solicit suggestions for future center initiatives <br /> Operating Revenue <br /> Based on 62 survey responses during the feasibility study,client use was conservatively <br /> estimated at 142 production hours per week after the first year of operation. On a 50-week basis <br /> and at an average use fee of$22 per hour,fees in year 3 of operation were projected to be <br /> $150,000. In the same timeframe,gross income for clients was reported at$2,651,000 per year. <br /> Financial statements of the nonprofit management entity will be used to evaluate revenue <br /> projections. <br /> We expect to exceed this projection based on two factors: 1)Increased demand from <br /> individuals and businesses who did not complete the survey but became aware of this project and <br /> expressed interest in using the facility,and 2)The heightened awareness related to food security <br /> associated with the escalating price of oil and the outbreak of food safety concerns in food grown <br /> out of state reinforce the benefits of buying locally produced food. <br /> Strengthening the NC Agricultural Economy <br /> Long term goal is to become fmancially independent in 2013 by building the capacity to <br /> process and market North Carolina agricultural products,thereby increasing the number and <br /> diversity of farm operations that help to sustain the Piedmont region.Long term impacts of the <br /> project include the potential for collaboration with Blue Ridge Food Ventures,a shared use <br /> facility in western North Carolina. This development could increase North Carolina agricultural <br /> revenue and an increase in the number and diversity of farm operations in the Piedmont region. <br /> 10 <br /> BOCC Meeting, January 22, 2009, Page 20 /39 <br />