Agenda - 03-31-2008-1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MW mJ 1 - 6 Regional Value-Added Shared-Use Food and Agricultural Processing Center The goal of this project is to establish a regional value-added, shared-use food and agricultural processing center serving farmers and food entrepreneurs within a 75-mile radius of Hillsborough. Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange counties formed a partnership with several groceries to fund and complete a feasibility study that quantified demand for such a facility, identified suitable sites, provided development costs and process, and estimated operational costs and vendor revenues. Existing shared-use facility models nationwide and in the Asheville area of North Carolina were examined as part of the study. The diversity and range of interest, based on a survey of 62 local farmers, food producers, and caterers, indicated a strong demand for a clean, safe, well-equipped center where produce can be cleaned and packed, and food-based entrepreneurs can develop their businesses. In addition, the center will foster business networking and strategic alliances among members of the agricultural and food sectors. The opening of the facility is targeted for the winter of 2009-2010. The 15-county region that the facility would serve has 2.5 million residents and 11,030 farms (USDA Ag Census, 2002) that can benefit from the opportunity to add value and increase demand for their product among potential customers living in urban and suburban settings. Growing the local economy, preserving open space through entrepreneurial agriculture, and assuring the security of food supplies are all potential outgrowths of this center. Alamance and Orange counties have recently passed resolutions indicating their desire to implement the feasibility study. The Chatham County Ag Advisory Board and two Chatham County commissioners have verbally indicated their interest to continue as partners in the center, but the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has at this point not adopted a resolution indicating its desire to implement the feasibility study. The Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District has indicated its desire to place this item on a Durham County Commissioners' work session for additional discussion. Plans are also underway for a stakeholder meeting to be held in early April. The Orange County Cooperative Extension Director and the Agricultural Economic Development Coordinator met with representatives of the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to discuss a $140,000 proposal that was submitted in December 2007 to fund initial renovation of an Orange County-owned facility at 500 Valley Forge Road in Hillsborough to house the Center. Results of the meeting were favorable and county staff were commended for their submission. A decision will be made in June and funds, if awarded, will be available in September. A facilities and construction request of $1,156,333 for FY2009 Transportation — HUD Appropriations was also submitted to Congressman David Price. It was noted in the project request that there is strong demand for this innovative regional project to serve clients within a 75-mile radius, encompassing 15 counties and 11,030 farms.