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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-18-2010 - 4hORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 18, 2010 Action Agenda Item No, ~-_~ SUBJECT: Grant Submittals to 1) US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development - Community Facilities Grant Program and 2) NC Specialty Crops Program for the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Summaries of Two Grant Opportunities INFORMATION CONTACT: Noah Ranells, 245-2330 Brad Broadwell, EDC Director, 245-2325 PURPOSE: To authorize staff to submit 1) a $250,000 grant proposal to the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development -Community Facilities grant program and 2) a $100,000 grant proposal to the NC Specialty Crops Program for the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center. BACKGROUND: Estimates for the establishment of the Processing Center were based on a 2007 Feasibility Study. Unforeseen aspects of the infrastructure at the 500 Valley Forge Road facility increased the renovation budget. Additional funds are required to obtain the full range of equipment for the Processing Center. Additional equipment will enhance the capability for the Processing Center to be fully supported through revenues that it generates. The Community Facilities grant program has a rolling deadline and the Specialty Crops program has a June 4~h deadline. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with submitting these grant proposals. There is no local match required. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board authorize staff to submit grant proposals to 1) the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development -Community Facilities grant program and 2) the NC Specialty Crops Program for the Piedmont Food and Agricultural Processing Center. ~ommunity Facilities Grant Program Versidn en Esnafiol Nho May Apply ~und Uses Comii~itte~i to the futw~~ ~f rural eon~mur~ities. Rural Development Housing & Community Facilities Programs Who may apply Maximum Grant Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of essential -imitations community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with application low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. 'rocessinq Grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special- ~raanizations purpose districts, as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments. nterested iu Jrants In addition,a pplicants must have the legal authority necessary for construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed facility and also be unable to obtain needed funds from commercial sources at reasonable rates and terms. Fund Uses t~ Grant funds may be used to assist in the developmento f essential community facilities. Grant funds can be used to construct, enlarge,o r improve community facilities for health care,p ublic safety,a nd community and public services. This can include the purchase of equipment required for a facility's operation. A grantm ay be made in combination with other CF financial assistance such as a direct or guaranteed loan, applicant contributions, or loans and grants from other sources. For examples of essential community facilities click here. The Community Facilities Grant Program is typically used to fund projects under special initiatives, such as Native American community development efforts; child care centers linked with the Federal goveroment's Welfare-to-Work initiative; Federally-designated Enterprise and Champion Communities, and the Northwest Economic Adjustment Initiative area. Maximum Grant top The amount of grant assistance for project costs depends upon the median household income and the population in the community where the project is located and the availability of grant funds. In most instances, projects which receive grant assistance have a high priority and are highly leveraged with other loan and grant awards. Grant assistance may be available for up to 75% of project costs.G rant funding limitations are based on population and income, economic feasibility, and availability of funds. tttn:(/www.rurdev.usda.gov/rHSlcf/brief cp grant.htm 5110/201( ~otmnunity Facilities Grant Program Projects will be selected based on a priority point system. Projects that will receive priority are those that: t"-+Serve small communities -with the highest priority going to projects locatec in a community with a population of 5,000 or less. Serve low-income communities -with the highestp riority going to projects serving communities with median household incomes below the higher of the poverty line or 60% of the State non-metropolitan median household income. ::'Provide healthcare, public safety, or public and community services Limitations top Grant funds cannot be used to: ;:Pay any annual recurring costs, including purchases or rentals that are generally considered to be operating and maintenance expenses tConstruct or repair electric generating plants, electric transmission lines, or gas distribution lines to provide services for commercial sale 1±Pay costs to construct facilities to be used for commercial rental where the applicant has no control over tenants and services offered =+Construct facilities primarily for the purpose of housing State, Federal or quasi- Federal agencies Finance recreational facilities or communiiy antenna television services or facilities Application Processing top Applications are filed with the USDA Rural Development field offices. Rural Developments tall will be glad to discuss a community's needs and the services available from Rural Developmenta nd sister agencies within USDA. Detailed information and applications for financial assistance are available through Rural Developments tate Offices. HCFP Home ~ Administrators Comzr ~ Contacts ~ Civil Riehts tttpahvww.rurdev.usda.govlrHS/cf/brief cp_,?rant.htm 5/10!201( Qorth Carolina Depatrtment of Agriculture & Consumer Services Specialty Crop Grant North Carolina Guidelines Home Federal Fiscal Year 2010 Administered by 2010 Grant Manual ® North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services 1020 Mail Service Center Grantee & Crop Raleigh, NC 27699-1020 Eligibility 2010 Grant A lication The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services presents the 2010 Specialty Crop Block ~ Grant Program (SCBGP) Manual. The purpose of this program is solely to enhance the competitiveness of PDF version specialty crops in North Carolina. For purposes of the program, specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including Floriculture). Additionally, projects aimed at 2010 Grant Application ~ developing local and regional food systems and improving food access will be considered. Please read the and rant fund usa e i l t li t d d il li ibili i t f MS Word version g g . or spec a ty crops, gran app can s, eta s on e g ty requ remen s manual for adde list of Selected Items of ® This manual is designed to instructs pplicanls in preparing successful grant application Cost packets for requesting funding assistance from the North Carolina Department ofA gdculture & Consumer Services pursuant to the Food,C onservation,a nd Energy Act of 2008 amendments to the Specialty Crops ---~------------- Competitiveness Act of 2004. 4 2009 Grant Information please lake the time to read this grant manual carefully and follow all given instructions. Incomplete application or applications that exceed the given page limits may be deemed ineligible. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services anticipates that these grant monies will be available to successful applicants by late 2010. This manual contains general program information (Section I), funding priorities (Section IG ), and application packet requirements (Section l~. Completed applications are due,n o later than 5:00 PM on Friday, June 4, 2010. For questions or additional information contact: Specialty Crop Grant 1020 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1020 Or email: SDeciallyCropGrant ncaor.oov Jobs ~ Mission Statement ~ Accessibility Statement ~ Disclaimer ~ Privacy Statement Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture tttn://www.ncagi~ov/markets/scgrant/index.htm 5/10!201( Markets Division Home Specialty Crop Grant Program