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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1994 |
| Agricultural Incubator Program for Small and Ethnic Growers |
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| Requester: |
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners |
Organization: |
Economic Development Office |
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| Project Title: |
Agricultural Incubator Program for Small and Ethnic Growers |
Date Submitted |
1/4/2008 6:33:49 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Aronberg |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| This project will provide agronomic and financial programs to incubate new and/or established small and ethnic growers in the economically-distressed communitites in the Lake Okeechobeeregion of Palm Beach County. This is a public/private partnership that will create and identify job opportunities in the Cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay and the surrounding unincorporated areas all of which are part of the Florida Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative (FHREDI). These cities were designated as "Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern" by the Governor as pursuant to Chapter 288.0656. |
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| Recipient: |
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners |
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Contact: |
Kevin Johns/ Pamela L Nolan |
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301 N Olive Avenue |
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Contact Phone: |
(561) 355-3524 |
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West Palm Beach 33401 |
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Contact email: |
pnolan@pbcgov.com |
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| Counties: |
Palm Beach |
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| Gov't Entity: |
Yes |
Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
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| Project Description: |
| This project will provide agricultural business assistance programs for small and ethnic growers located in the economically depressed Lake Okeechobee region. Program participants will learn to use several sustainable agronomic systems to grow alternative and specialty crops, then effectively package, market and distribute the resulting produce. Through eight week sessions during a three-year period, various instructors will familiarize an estimated 100 students with the entire process from seedling to harvest, environmental and consumer issues, customer service/hospitality training, and business planning, including formation of a grower cooperative, financing, site/equipment selection and development, packaging, marketing, distribution and regulations. Anticipated markets for the growing demand for fresh local produce include the existing Greenmarkets, fresh market outlets, a pending year-round Public Market, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, caterers, restaurants and the School District. Recruitment of students and instructors will involve collaboration with growers� organizations, Cooperative Extension Services, Farm Credit Bureau, Palm Beach Community College, the School District of PBC, University of Florida, and other interested educational institutions that offer agricultural instruction. The project will be located on a 5-acre site adjacent to Lake Okeechobee which will also serve as a potential destination for visitors to the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail and further ongoing community revitalization efforts. The requested funds will cover site design, construction for a certified kitchen classroom, purchasing and installing of structures/equipment such as shade houses, a cooler, mist houses, lighting, etc. and instruction. |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| The measureable outcome anticipated for this project will be the development of 15 small agricultural businesses and one hundred students certified in sustainable agricultural within a three (3) year timeframe. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$350,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$700,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local |
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Cash Amount |
$350,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
PBC Comp Plan, Glades Regional Business Plan, Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern and more. |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
