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2 <br />Therefore, staff requests authorization to submit a grant proposal to the Tobacco Communities <br />Reinvestment Fund for $30,000. The application deadline is November 19, 2010. Funds from <br />this grant will be used to provide for expansion plans that may include a mentor farmer, new <br />irrigation system, and specialized equipment. Additionally, new initiatives in permaculture, as <br />well as fruit and berry production, may be facilitated with these funds. <br />The PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator is a successful part of the concept plan for <br />the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension and Research Center. It was instituted at a fall 2006 <br />joint meeting of Orange County representatives and administrators from the North Carolina <br />State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Implementing the concept plan for <br />the WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center is guided by the Breeze Planning <br />Committee, composed of Orange County Cooperative Extension and Economic Development <br />staff as well as three representatives from NC State University. There was agreement by this <br />Committee to submit a grant proposal to further develop the Incubator Component of the <br />Breeze Concept Plan. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with submitting this grant <br />proposal. There is no local match required. However, the existing County funding coupled with <br />the commitment of County staff does enhance the County's position for this competitive grant <br />opportunity. Staff resources in Cooperative Extension and Economic Development will continue <br />to be dedicated to guiding activities at the Breeze Farm. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board authorize staff to submit a <br />$30,000 grant proposal to the Rural Advancement Fund International USA, Tobacco <br />Communities Reinvestment Fund, for the PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator at the <br />WC Breeze Family Farm Extension & Research Center. <br />