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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 20, 2009 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No.J~' -- A <br />SUBJECT: Utility Extension Fund Request <br />DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Yes <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />1) Fund Request Approved by Economic <br />Development Commission Advisory <br />Board (with Attachments A - C) <br />2) Resolution <br />3) Exhibit A-Utility Extension Fund <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Brad Broadwell, Economic Development <br />Director 245-2325 <br />Dottie Schmitt, Economic Development <br />Specialist 245-2327 <br />Agreement <br />4) Public Notice <br />PURPOSE: To approve disbursement of the requested utility extension reimbursement for <br />utility improvements in support of an entrepreneurial aquaculture facility in Cedar Grove. <br />BACKGROUND: As provided in the Attachment A of Attachment 1 (page 5) the Utility <br />Extension Fund (Fund) Procedures that were established in 1993 were designed to encourage <br />economic development in Orange County by funding a portion of utility improvements necessary <br />for commercial development. The Fund procedures require a maximum 5-year payback in <br />increased property taxes and must meet the following criteria: <br />1. Project must have proper zoning; <br />2. Project must improve job opportunities for Orange County residents; <br />3. Project must provide jobs with wage scales in compliance with Orange County standards; <br />and <br />4. Project must have a positive fiscal impact upon Orange County government. <br />The current Fund applicant, Taylor Fish Farm, is astate-of-the-art aquaculture facility located in <br />the Cedar Grove Township of Orange County. The farm is housed in a "barn" slightly smaller <br />than a football field where Tilapia is raised from fingerling through average harvest size. The <br />custom-designed facility utilitizes an indoor recirculating water system and an anabolic digestive <br />system designed with the support of NC State aquaculture extension agency. The production <br />facility has been sized to produce approximately 250,000 Ibs of Tilapia on an annual basis. <br />Potential expansion plans include harvesting the liquid and solid by-products of the aquaculture <br />process as a natural source of plant food and development of a hydroponics greenhouse with <br />nutrients supplied by the aquaculture waste products. <br />Construction of the facility required installation of two wells and a septic system and installation <br />of three phase electric power source along Lonesome Road to the facility. The availability of <br />three phase power may encourage additional commercial endeavors in the immediate area. <br />