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m Piedmont Farmers Market, Inc. . Corner Winecoff School Rood ' and Orphenage Ro~d Concord, N. C. 28025 April 23, 1987 Hr. James ~. Lentz, Chairman Board of County Co~missioners Route 5 Box 101 Concord, NC 28025 Dear Hr. Lentz: Piedmont Farmers }~rket, Inc. has been organized and operating on the ne~ site at ~inecoff School Road for the past two years. This market has received tax exempt status from the lnternal Revenue Service and received t~o grants from the State of North Carolina in the amounts of $100,000 and $35,000. A lease to purchase option had been obtained on this approximately 57 acres of land in 1985; and in December 1986, Piedmont Farmers Market purchased 25.33 acres of this property using the state funds for $100,000. A lease to purchase option was obtained on the remaining 31.58 acres for the purchase price of $100,000. See copy of drawing of this property which is attached to this letter. Piedmont Farmers }~rket officials feel the need to develop a truck crop industry in Caharrus County to allow long term growth and development for farmers and consumers to have a plentiful supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. Development of a farmers market would be one important step in meeting the needs of this industry. It is felt that this entire acreage is needed for long term development of these goals. The state had developed a farmers market in Charlotte during the past few years with the purchase of approxi~tely 35 acres. They ~ndicate they already need additional space. Piedmont Farmers Market official~ feel very strongly that this additional 31.58 acres is needed to complete our 16hg range plans. Piedmont Farmers Market Board of Directors decided in a regular meeting on April 21 to request a grant from Cabarrus County in the amount of $100,000 to complete the purchase of this land. We feel it is in the best interests of Cabarrus County to help provide for this important marketing facility for the benef{t of Cabarrus County citizens. The long term benefits of such a market can help Lo ensure the production of fruits and vegetables locally ~hereby grocery stores and restaurants could purchase these items and avoid paying freight costs from other states. It is also important that Cabarrus County take the lead in making a substantial co~itment in the development of this important industry. We request an opportunity to present our request to you in an official session of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on May 18, or at a time of your convenience. We realize this request is a little late in your budgeting process but we would hope that this request for $100,000 would be carefully considered for the 1987-88 Budget Year.