Agenda - 02-12-2008-2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section Seven -Project Development Recommendations The project development phase is a necessary precursor to project implementation as an economic catalyst for farmers and food entrepreneurs in the four-county region. Based on measured levels of community demand, and the successful identification of a suitable building, the project should be developed as a full-scale regional value added center, fully staffed with comprehensive support and targeted business development services for its clients. The projected economic impacts of this project amply justify the necessary expense of project development. Because the building is owned by Orange County, allocation of the site for project development is necessarily a political decision to be made by the elected representatives of the county who serve on the Orange County Board of Commissioners. As active clients of this study, the Commissioners are presumably aware of the interest in establishing this facility and should have some indication of potential economic benefit to the greater community. Allocation of the building for this use on a nominal long-term lease agreement with a nonprofit management entity is therefore recommended as a viable option. I. Project Developer Before a legal management entity is established, the development of the site must be managed by an individual with the necessary skills to take the project from feasibility stage to full project implementation. This individual should be hired on a short-term (ca. 24 month) period, presumably under contract to Orange County and under general oversight and direction of the community advisory committee. It is important to note that this individual is not to be tasked with post-opening facility management. That individual is described in the following chapter and requires skills different from those of the project developer. Project development should be led by an individual able to accomplish the following tasks: • Work well with regional stakeholders and the advisory committee to achieve consensus on project development; • Develop a funding strategy, write grant requests, and successfully lobby for financial support from elected officials, state and federal government grant- making agencies, and private grant-making foundations; • Manage grant funds for project development and adhere to all reporting requirements; • Work closely with relevant regulatory agencies during facility renovations and equipment acquisition, including the local health department, NCDA&CS's Food and Drug Protection Division, the US Food & Drug Administration, USDA's 48