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<br />Kinnaird, and Representative Faison, who have introduced separate bills in the legislature to
<br />fund this center. Orange County has also approached Congressman Price.
<br />Noah Rannells said that that some assistance has been received from the American
<br />Farm Trust Southeast Representative Jerry Cohn in helping to build a strategy. He pointed out
<br />the backside of the resolution, which has 13 points provided by the consultant to help move the
<br />process forward. The target dates were put in by Orange County staff. From a producer
<br />perspective, the plan is to have 501(c)3 status and begin trying to get some commitment from a
<br />project manager to help steer this forward.
<br />George Lucier said that Tom Vanderbeck has been attending these meetings and he will
<br />be reporting to the Chatham County Commissioners on this.
<br />Noah Ranells said that Durham is trying to get this issue on one of the upcoming
<br />agendas.
<br />Chair Jacobs pointed out that Orange County has been working on this for nine years.
<br />Mark Chilton said that there is a UNC student organization that is interested in this.
<br />The resolution is shown below:
<br />RESOLUTION
<br />Support for a Piedmont Regional Shared Use, Vale Added, Food and Agricultural
<br />Processing Center
<br />WHEREAS, the recent tobacco buyout program has left many farmers seeking economically
<br />profitable alternative enterprises to allow them to remain farming; and,
<br />WHEREAS, the proximity of Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange Counties to markets for
<br />value added products is significant given existence of local farmers' markets, grocers,
<br />restaurateurs, and food service managers that buy local farm products; and,
<br />WHEREAS, added value products provide a means to retain economically viable, thriving farms
<br />in Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange Counties, benefiting our rural character and
<br />agricultural heritage, and contributing to the health and high quality of life; and,
<br />WHEREAS, shared use value added processing centers require careful planning and strong
<br />collaborations to be successful; and,.
<br />WHEREAS, a feasibility study funded by Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange Counties,
<br />as well as Weaver Street Market and Whole Foods, was completed in November 2007, and,
<br />WHEREAS, the survey respondents included 36 percent fruit and vegetable growers, 27
<br />percent livestock producers, and 28 percent specialty food producers, caterers, or
<br />restaurateurs, who together currently produce 74 food items, and in the future desire to produce
<br />112 distinct products; and,
<br />WHEREAS, the feasibility study indicates client use at the facility can reach 142 production
<br />hours per week in one year and would generate more than $150,000 in fees in years 2 and 3 of
<br />operation, and gross income generated by clients using the facility would be between $800,000
<br />and $1.2 million per year; and,
<br />WHEREAS, the feasibility report detailed 13 action items that will ensure that the center can
<br />open in 2009;
<br />NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners:
<br />
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