The General Assembly finds that the lack of capacity for value-added processing of agricultural commodities near the farms where agriculture commodities are produced in North Carolina creates competitive disadvantages to North Carolina farmers by imposing increased transportation costs to remote commodity processing facilities and presenting economic barriers to farmers who wish to participate in the market for higher profit margin processed food products. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess opportunities to increase local value-added processing of agricultural commodities produced in NC and address categorical (commodity) or geographical gaps in agricultural manufacturing and processing. 1. Identify opportunities for and barriers to the following: a. Agriculture processing development in North Carolina. b. Agriculture production growth in North Carolina, as it relates to processing capacity. c. Assess North Carolina’s business climate, considering both regulatory and commercial perspectives. 2. Identify specific location attributes needed for: a. Potential expansion of value-added processing and manufacturing infrastructure in existing Agriculture production areas. b. Siting new agriculture production facilities. c. Potential expansion for existing agriculture processing operations. d. Siting new agriculture processing operations 3. Identify readiness within the State for agriculture manufacturing and processing expansion to: a. Assess the stability of agriculture supply in North Carolina and the surrounding region. b. Map the proximity and access to markets in the State and region. c. Assess the status of the State’s labor availability and skill level with regards to agriculture production and processing. d. Provide strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) Analysis for agricultural, environmental, transportation and general business policy in North Carolina. e. Assess whether the State is supportive of agriculture expansion – both manufacturing and processing this is duplicative. f. Outline the site needs for production in terms of expansion of existing agriculture operations and siting new ones. g. Identify specific areas within the State where those needs could be met. 4. Identify any opportunities for new and alternative marketing approaches and efforts to create a North Carolina identity or brand for companies and/or products that customers value and for which they will pay. 5. Identify opportunities that NCDA&CS can work with existing agriculture manufacturing and processing to capture some value in other North Carolina products. The final report shall include, at minimum, suggested geographic and commodity processing and manufacturing targets. Specific site requirements and characteristics shall be detailed for both new or expanding NC agriculture manufacturing and processing industries. State level policy suggestions should also be included. 5.2 TASKS/DELIVERABLES TASKS 1. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current, emerging, and forecasted agriculture manufacturing and processing that identifies areas in Scope of Work. 2. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of resources and capabilities of the State infrastructure. 3. Propose State level policy governance structure. 4. Vendor is to provide a Quarterly Status Reports on the project – every three (3) months to Gregory Hoggard, Markets Acting Assistant Director, to be received live or via a virtual meeting. 5. The Quarterly Report Schedule will be determined at the kickoff meeting. DELIVERABLES The awarded vendor shall deliver and present to NCDA&CS on the final due date of the project. One (1) year, after on the date of final Contract execution (the “Effective Date”). 1. A report(s) which addresses each area of the Scope of Work to include: 2. Suggested solutions to the issues studied. 3. How stakeholders in the State’s manufacturing and processing industry can affect change within the system. 4. Specific site requirements and characteristics should be detailed for manufacturing and processing. 5. Proposed State level policy governance structure.
