TITLE:title
Grant Application – North Carolina Agricultural Manufacturing & Processing Initiative
body
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Baucom, Agricultural Services, Extension Director, 704-283-3738
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the County Manager to submit the associated grant application and make necessary assurances and certifications associated with the grant application as substantially consistent with this agenda item, which includes the authorization to execute documents related to award of the grant and budget funds as appropriate.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The North Carolina General Assembly established the North Carolina Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (“NCAMPI”) as part of the state’s FY 2023-24 budget legislation and amended by S.L. 2024-1 and further amended by S.L. 2025-26i.
The Initiative is to be administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (“Department”). The purposes of the program include:
1. Provide support for agricultural manufacturing and food processing opportunities that increase jobs and local property tax bases across the state and/or reduce costs and increase profit options for North Carolina farmers and growers.
2. Identify and assess opportunities to increase value-added processing of commodities produced in the state and fill geographic and commodity gaps across the state.
3. Market and recruit facilities to fill such gaps and meet such opportunities.
4. Support eligible entities with funding for eligible costs necessary to create or expand agricultural manufacturing facilities and projects related to increased demand for agricultural products.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$1.5 million to support the Union County Food Innovation Center site development.