Minutes 05-08-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jeff Thompson referred to attachment 4 in the packet, which highlights the potential storage configuration. He said this includes record storage, solid waste roll cart storage, and working storage for the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center. Commissioner Gordon asked for an explanation of the color chart. Jeff Thompson explained the chart as provided. Commissioner Gordon clarified that there is no difference in the footprint between the mothball and storage options. Jeff Thompson said yes. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the loading dock would be at the south end in the blue area of this slide. Jeff Thompson said yes. Steve Brantley discussed the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center (PFAP). He said PFAP has achieved several milestones in the past several years, including being incorporated as a nonprofit, and forming a board of directors representing the four inter- local member counties. He said PFAP has added clients and used up all available storage and freezer space. He said PFAP has established a cash flow and is able to operate independently. Steve Brantley said the organization has seen success with clients such as Vintage Bees and others who are exporting to other countries, and Luna Pops who is now selling through Harris Teeter. He said PFAP is gaining a statewide reputation as a model for food and agricultural processing, and this is resulting in various tour groups and media coverage. Steve Brantley said PFAP presently has 43 total clients, and 35 are active. He said there are 23 additional clients in various stages of the application process. He said 12 of these are expected to go all the way through the process. He said there is an immediate need for additional storage, including 21 pallet spaces and four storage cages. He said PFAP also needs an additional 14 by 18 foot general storage area. He said these storage needs are expected to increase significantly by the fall, to include a total additional storage space of between 4,000 and 5,000 square feet. He said four of the top six clients may move out of the County if affordable manufacturing space, operational capital, and competitively priced food storage locations are not available. Steve Brantley said PFAP has looked at several potential storage locations in Orange County, but no suitable space has been found. He said there is also a need for short term storage, which is difficult in the commercial market. He said several clients have already struck out, and one of them relocated to Alamance County. He noted that the clients are constrained by transportation costs. He said the Cedar Grove is not exactly ideal, but it is a currently viable option. Steve Brantley said there are 3 facilities that could be considered, but all of them have their problems. He said one of these options is the old ABC store, which is priced at $5 per square foot. He said PFAP has considered all of these options and feels that there are constraints with all of them. He said Orange County has few options, and the Cedar Grove facility does offer the possibility for PFAP to play a role and generate a lease payment. Commissioner Gordon asked if PFAP is going to pay rent. Steve Brantley said he is not sure that the discussion has matured to that point, and this would be the Board's decision. Jeff Thompson said the process would be to work out a series of rate options for discussion. He said the market rate is around $8 per square foot, including insurance, taxes, and utilities. He said this would be brought to the Board in the form of options. Commissioner Gordon said the Board would be offering flexibility and a fair price, but she would assume there would be some payment. She asked if Orange County would get