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21 <br /> which shall be operated for purposes. of encouraging and aiding agricultural industries and <br /> business prospects for the participating jurisdictions. <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of their mutual promises, Alamance <br /> County,.Chatham County,Durham County.,and Orange County hereby agree as follows: <br /> L Purpose <br /> The purpose of this Agreement is to set forth the undertakings of the Parties hereto with <br /> regard to their respective contributions, obligations, and participation in the multi jurisdictional <br /> operation of the Center. <br /> 2. Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center <br /> The Center will be a regional value-added, shared-use, food and agricultural processing <br /> center. This project will build capacity for local farmers to meet the increasing consumer <br /> demand for retail and wholesale marketing of locally grown farm products in the Piedmont <br /> Region of North Carolina. The Center will accommodate a range of processing needs and allow <br /> for future expansion. Business development support and education, especially training for new <br /> food-based businesses, developing business plans, and meeting food safety requirements will <br /> allow the center to engage rural farm communities with the opportunities offered by the Center. <br /> Revenue projections from user fees that provide incentives for sourcing locally grown farm <br /> products is approximately $150,000 by year 3 of operation, with gross income for clients using <br /> the facility estimated at$2,651,000 per year. <br /> This Center will have the potential to serve farmers on 16,214 farms in 22 counties within <br /> a 75-mile radius of Hillsborough, North Carolina, representing almost 30% of farms statewide. <br /> Farmers and their.rural communities as well as tobacco processing and marketing communities <br /> can benefit from participating in training and education programs, adding value to and marketing <br /> local farm product. Within the 22-county area, this Center can enhance-the capacity to process <br /> local farm products for the 3.3 million individuals who are potential customers for the products <br /> created at the 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 July 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. The long term <br /> goal is to become financially independent by 2013. This will be accomplished by building the <br /> capacity to process and market North Carolina agricultural products, thereby increasing the <br /> number and diversity of farm operations that help to sustain the Piedmont Region. <br /> 3. Steering Committee" <br /> The Boards of County Commissioners of the Parties shall appoint a Steering Committee <br /> to assist Orange County in successfizlly launching the Center. All members of the Steering <br /> Committee shall be appointed by the Boards of County Commissioners of the Parties and shall <br /> 2of11 <br />