HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-24-2007-4hORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 24, 2007
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Regional Value-Added Processing Center
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dianne Reid 245-2326
Noah Ranells 245-2330
PURPOSE: To appropriate an additional $3,000 for a feasibility study for an agriculture
products regional value-added processing center.
BACKGROUND: During the past few years, the local and regional farming community has
evolved to meet local market opportunities. The tremendous increase in consumer interest in
locally grown, healthy, nutritious, and fresh farm products has supported an increase in farmers
selling at farmers' markets, direct to consumers, from farm stands, and through local coops and
conventional grocers. In addition, there is strong interest from local school districts, universities,
and hospitals to obtain locally grown or raised farm products.
An oft-cited limitation to marketing local farm products is the lack of processing facilities. In
2005, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners appointed interested citizens and
farmers to a working group that examined, among other concerns, the need and justification for
a value-added, shared-use processing facility. The report submitted by the Agricultural Center
Work Group, presented to the commissioners on May 25, 2006, contained a recommendation
that the Board move to conduct a feasibility study for avalue-added, shared-use processing
facility.
In October of 2006, then BOCC Chair Barry Jacobs sent a letter to neighboring counties
(Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, & Person) and to local grocers (EarthFare, Weaver
Street Market, & Whole Foods) offering the opportunity to partner with Orange County to
conduct the feasibility study. As of March 13, 2007, Alamance, Chatham, Durham, and Orange
Counties have each pledged $2,500. Additionally, Weaver Street Market and Whole Foods have
pledged $1,000 each, for a total of $12,000. The partnership that has developed will likely be
able to leverage local investment with state and federal grants.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The total cost of the feasibility study is $15,000. While additional funds
may be forthcoming from partners, we currently have $12,000. At this time we are requesting
Orange County provide.$3,000 from the BOCC contingency fund so that the contract may be
executed and the feasibility study begun. Staff will continue to pursue up to $3,000 in other
funds for the study; as funds are received, they will be used to reimburse the BOCC contingency
fund.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board .appropriate $3,000 for
the feasibility study and authorize the Chair to sign the contract previously approved on March
13, 2007.