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<br />1 Kinnaird, and Representative Faison, who have introduced separate bills in the legislature to
<br />2 fund this center. Orange County has also approached Congressman Price.
<br />3 Noah Rannells said that that some assistance has been received from the American
<br />4 Farm Trust Southeast Representative Jeny Cohn in helping to build a strategy. He pointed out
<br />5 the backside of the resolution, which has 13 points provided by the consultant to help move the
<br />6 process fonnrard. The target dates were put in by Orange County staff. From a producer
<br />7 perspective, the plan is to have 501(c)3 status and begin trying to get some commitrnent from a
<br />8 project manager to help steer this forward.
<br />9 George Lucier said that Tom Vanderbedc has been attending these meetings and he will
<br />10 be reporting to the Chatham County Commissioners on this.
<br />11 Noah Ranells said that Dufiam is trying to get this issue on one of the upcoming
<br />12 agendas.
<br />13 Chair Jacobs pointed out that Orange County has been working on this for nine years.
<br />14 Mark Chilton said that there is a UNC student organization that is interested in this.
<br />15 The resolution is shown below:
<br />16
<br />17 RESOLUTION
<br />18 Support for a Piedmont Regional Shared Use, Vale Added, Food and Agricultural
<br />19 Processing Center
<br />20
<br />21 WHEREAS, the recent tobacco buyout program has left many farmers seeking economically
<br />22 profitable alternative enterprises to allow them to remain farming; and,
<br />23
<br />24 WHEREAS, the proximity of Alamance, Chatham, Dufiam, and Orange Counties to markets for
<br />25 value added products is significant given existence of local farmers' markets, grocers,
<br />26 restaurateurs, and food service managers that buy local farm products; and,
<br />27
<br />28 WHEREAS, added value products provide a means to retain economically viable, thriving farms
<br />29 in Alamance, Chatham, Dufiam, and Orange Counties, benefiting our rural character and
<br />30 agricultural heritage, and contributing to the health and high quality of life; and,
<br />31
<br />32 WHEREAS, shared use value added processing centers require careful planning and strong
<br />33 collaborations to be successful; and,.
<br />34
<br />35 WHEREAS, a feasibility study funded by Alamance, Chatham, Dufiam, and Orange Counties,
<br />36 as well as Weaver Street Market and Whole Foods, was completed in November 2007, and,
<br />37
<br />38 WHEREAS, the survey respondents included 36 percent fruit and vegetable growers, 27
<br />39 percent livestock producers, and 28 percent speaalty food producers, caterers, or
<br />40 restaurateurs, who together currerrtly produce 74 food items, and in the future desire to produce
<br />41 112 distinct products; and,
<br />42
<br />43 WHEREAS, the feasibility study indicates client use at the facility can reach 142 production
<br />44 hours per week in one year and would generate more than $150,000 in fees in years 2 and 3 of
<br />45 operation, and gross income generated by clients using the facility would be between $800,000
<br />46 and $1.2 million per year, and,
<br />47
<br />48 WHEREAS, the feasibility report detailed 13 action items that will ensure that the center can
<br />49 open in 2009;
<br />50
<br />51 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners:
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