Commissioners to consider facility for use by individuals, businesses
By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
A recently completed feasibility study indicated a strong justification for a shared-use food-processing facility in Orange County, according to a report presented to the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday.
The three-month study included surveys of potential users, a site evaluation and proposed governance of the center. The center would allow individuals and businesses to produce value-added goods — such as jellies, pickles or tamales — in a licensed facility, and would be used by Orange, Alamance, Chatham and Durham counties.
According to Noah Ranells, county agricultural economic development coordinator, the study’s survey results were stronger in this area than in any other counties that have been surveyed in North Carolina.
“This is a very, very solid effort,†he said.
Commissioner Moses Carey said the facility could attract investments from outside of the county, in addition to creating more locally produced foods.
“To have it located in Orange County would be an opportunity for us to practice what we’ve been preaching for all these years about how far you have to haul the things we eat and trying to minimize that distance,†he said. “This is an opportunity to do it.â€
Commissioner Alice Gordon said she would prefer to consider the facility as part of the county’s capital improvement plan.
“We don’t have very much … capital money, and we have a lot of needs,†she said.
The board agreed to further consider the facility at a later work session.