TITLE:title
Contract - Union County Food Innovation Center Natural Gas Main Extension Agreement
body
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Linda Whitaker, Facilities and Fleet Management, Assistant Director Design and Construction, 704-420-2626
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the County Manager to 1) negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with this agenda item, 2) exercise any renewal or extension term options set forth in the Agreement, and 3) terminate the Agreement if deemed in the best interest of the County, each in the County Manager's discretion.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
1) April 3, 2023, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #23-195 - Public Hearing Held
2) April 3, 2023, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #23-198 - Adopted Budget Amendment BA20 and CPO#344
3) May 1, 2023, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #23-261 - Approved Construction Manager at Risk Construction Delivery Method
4) January 16, 2024, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #24-045 - Approved Design Contract with CPL, adopted Budget Amendment BA21 and CPO#344A, and accepted State Grant Funding
5) June 17, 2024, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #24-416 - Approved Construction Manager at Risk Preconstruction Services Agreement
6) June 17, 2024, Regular Meeting, Item #24-427 - Approved Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Grant application
7) June 17, 2024, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #24-428 - Approved Golden Leaf Foundation Grant application
8) November 18, 2024, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #24-769 - Approved NCDA Agriculture Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Grant application
9) January 21, 2025, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #25-021 - Approved design contract amendment with CPL
10) March 17, 2025, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #25-128 - Approved grant application North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
11) March 17, 2025, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #25-129 - Approved executing documents related to Golden Leaf Foundation Grant award, adopted CPOs 288F, 344B, and 369A, Budget Amendment BA27
12) February 17, 2026, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #26-105 - Authorized intergovernmental agreement with Wingate related to administering Food Innovation Center and Approved Guaranteed Maximum Price contract amendment.
13) March 13, 2026, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #26-163 - Authorized the County Manager to submit a grant application with the North Carolina Manufacturing and Processing Initiative for an automated bottling system for the Food Innovation Center.
BACKGROUND:
The Union County Food Innovation Center is, as a concept, a Food Systems Strategic Initiative. In an effort to support Union County agricultural producers with a focus on creating a sustainable and all encompassing "Food System," the project is intended to accomplish the following:
• Generate markets for crops and protein-based products harvested within Union County
• Provide career opportunities in an area of the County that has fewer local prospects
• Enable educational partnerships and internships with Wingate University, South Piedmont Community College and John & Wales University
• Promote healthier eating by the residents of Union County
• Support organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, The Food Hub, and others that assist the County's at-risk population
The Food Innovation Center’s primary asset is the Kitchen which will be a multi-purpose facility to serve a dual mission. First, to support the farm community with raw product storage, packaging and/or preparation for wholesale. Secondly, to enable the public and small businesses who need value-added processing, cooking and final packaging which directly serves the consumer market. The proposed facility would house kitchen spaces, as well as freezer, refrigeration, and dry storage space to support raw food preparation and general food processing.
The Food Innovation Center does not currently have access to natural gas service. To provide natural gas service to the facility, the City of Monroe must extend an existing natural gas main to the project site. Monroe has provided a cost estimate of $164,741.69 for the natural gas main extension.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding is available within the adopted Capital Account 40080187 to support the contract amount of $164,741.69.