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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 19, 2008 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. -3- Orkpo,A <br />SUBJECT: Resolution Regarding Regional Value-Added Shared Use Food & Agricultural <br />Processing Center <br />DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />1. DRAFT BOCC Resolution (Revised Noah Ranells 245-2330 <br />Based on 2/12/08 BOCC Discussion) Willie Best 245-2300 <br />2. Action Items for Implementation <br />PURPOSE: To consider a resolution: <br />1) Agreeing to participate in a regional, multi-county value-added shared-use food and <br />agricultural processing center; <br />2) Formally allocating the former Orange Enterprise Building on Valley Forge Road in <br />Hillsborough for development of a regional value-added shared-use food and <br />agricultural processing center; <br />3) Recommending that the governing board of the Center become a 501(c)3; and <br />4) Requesting that equitable fiscal support among partners be pursued that recognizes <br />the allocation of the Orange Enterprise building owned by Orange County. <br />BACKGROUND: On November 30, 2007, a feasibility study was completed. The study <br />included 62 completed surveys which resulted in a significant justification for the creation of a <br />regional value added shared use food processing center as well as a? strong "buy local" <br />component. During a four county search of Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange <br />Counties for a possible site location, consultant Smithson Mills recommended the former <br />Orange Enterprise Building on Valley. Forge Road in Hillsborough as the most competitive site. <br />During a November 27, 2007 meeting in Hillsborough, commissioners from Alamance, <br />Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties expressed their appreciation for the feasibility report <br />and agreed to address the report at their respective commissioner meetings as well as the <br />relevant advisory boards. It was agreed also that each respective board of county <br />commissioners would indicate its interest to proceed as part of a regional partnership to develop <br />the center. It was agreed that the regional partnership consider hiring a project developer to <br />steward the project through fundraising, facility renovation, equipment acquisition, and <br />developing targeted programs for clients. <br />On December 11, 2007, the Orange County BOCC was presented with the Feasibility Report <br />and directed staff to schedule a work session to explore options for Orange County's <br />participation in this project. Many partners and stakeholders have reviewed the feasibility study.