Agenda - 02-19-2008-3d - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION Support for a Piedmont Regional Shared Use; Value Added, Food and Agricultural Processing Center WHEREAS, the recent tobacco buyout program has left many farmers seeking economically profitable alternative enterprises to allow them to remain farming; and, WHEREAS, the proximity of Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties to markets for value added products is significant given existence of local farmer's markets, grocers, restaurateurs, and food service managers that buy local farm products; and, WHEREAS, added value products provide a means to retain economically viable, thriving farms in Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties, benefiting our rural character and agricultural heritage, and contributing to the health and high quality of life; and, WHEREAS, shared use value added processing centers require careful planning and strong collaborations to be successful; and, WHEREAS, a feasibility study funded by Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties, as well as Weaver Street Market and Whole Foods, was completed in November 2007, and, WHEREAS, the survey respondents included 36 percent fruit and vegetable growers, 27 percent livestock producers, and 28 percent specialty food producers, caterers, or restaurateurs, who together currently produce 74 food items, and in the future desire to produce 112 distinct products, and, WHEREAS, the feasibility study indicates client use at the facility can reach 142 production hours per week in one year and would generate more than $150,000 in fees in years 2 and 3 of operation, and gross income generated by clients using the facility would be between $800,000 and $1.2 million per year; and WHEREAS, the feasibility report detailed 13 action items that will ensure that the center can open in 2009; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners: 1) Agree to participate in a regional, multi-county value-added shared-use food and agricultural processing center; 2) Formally allocate the former Orange Enterprise Building on Valley Forge Road in Hillsborough for development of a regional value-added shared-use food and agricultural processing center; 3) Recommend that the governing board of the Center become a 501(c)3; and 4) Request that equitable fiscal support among partners be pursued that recognizes the allocation of the Orange Enterprise building owned by Orange County. This the 19th day of February 2008. Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners