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animals, migratory birds, soil amending, recycling, composting, planting and caring for plants, and best practices for <br /> living sustainably. <br /> Reviewer Comments:The CFE noted that the garden and bird station would attract more outdoor visitors to the Art <br /> Center.They recommended providing additional details on the budget and GHG reduction potential and highlighted <br /> that the project is small in scale but high in cost.They also suggested exploring alternative garden grant sources such <br /> as T-Mobile,the NC Botanical Garden,the NC Native Plant Society, or the Carrboro Green Neighbor Grant.The HRC <br /> recognized the potential to serve disadvantaged communities but noted the lack of direct engagement with these <br /> groups. <br /> #24 Ranked Project — Botanist and Barrel — Electric Vehicle Charging Station <br /> Applicant(Collaborators): N/A <br /> Funding Requested: $12,000 <br /> Recommended Funding Level: $0 <br /> Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 9.8 <br /> Project Description: Botanist and Barrel proposes to use the funds to install a two-port Level 2 electric vehicle <br /> charging station at a commercial business in Cedar Grove, NC.This project will provide EV charging to local residents <br /> who may not have the resources to install charging stations at their private residences as well as encourage EV <br /> drivers who live in urban areas to visit rural business and farms, promoting beneficial electrification and supporting <br /> climate change mitigation.The funds will cover the cost of equipment, installation, and associated expenses. <br /> Project Benefits:The project will provide a charging station for area residents as well as Cedar Grove visitors. It will <br /> also expand EV charging to rural communities in Orange County. <br /> Reviewer Comments:The CFE recognized this as a great initiative to serve rural areas, but noted that, beyond B&B <br /> employees/customers, access to the charger would be limited.The HRC pointed out the mixed impact—while rural <br /> charging is beneficial, it seems to primarily benefit the business rather than the broader community. <br /> #25 Ranked Project — Fiori Hill — Floating Wetlands <br /> Applicant(Collaborators): N/A <br /> Funding Requested: $7,000 <br /> Recommended Funding Level: $0 <br /> Total Score (Out of 26 pts): 9.0 <br /> Project Description:This project is for the establishment of floating wetlands in the concrete settling pond of the <br /> Stormwater Control Management (SCM) system of the Fiori Hill neighborhood. Plant life in this concrete pond will <br /> sequester carbon, ideally increase the life of the SCM, reduce algal growth, and eliminate or reduce the need for an <br /> aeration system.The operations funds are to run and maintain it appropriately.They will actively reach out to other <br /> local communities to share learnings and experience and anticipate that neighborhood children will share this in their <br /> classrooms. <br /> Project Benefits:Approximately 100 people in the neighborhood will benefit directly and they anticipate an <br /> additional 100 per year based on outreach efforts. Floating wetlands are a way to improve the quality of the water in <br /> the settling pond, decrease evaporation, reduce algal blooms, allow for carbon sequestration, reduce reliance on an <br /> electricity-powered aerator system, and increase the health of the pond's ecosystem.The hope is that the floating <br /> wetlands will increase the longevity of the dry bioretention pond, improve the quality of the surface water flowing <br /> from the neighborhoods into the Eno River, serve as an educational opportunity for the neighborhood and others, <br /> and improve the aesthetics of the community. <br /> Reviewer Comments:The CFE described this as a great community project and expressed hope that residents will <br /> continue to pursue it. However,they noted its limited impact on Orange County's GHG reductions and that the <br />