Governor McCrory Announces Creation Of North Carolina Food Manufacturing Task Force | Eastern NC Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor McCrory announced the creation of the North Carolina Food Manufacturing Task Force today.

    "We have a goal to expand the economic impact of agriculture and agribusiness in North Carolina to $100 billion by the end of this year," Governor McCrory said. "The North Carolina Food Manufacturing Task Force will help to achieve that goal while creating jobs and expanding agriculture-based businesses."

    In 2014, the N.C. General Assembly funded the N.C. Food Processing and Manufacturing Initiative to diversify and add value to agricultural-based businesses through food processing.

    An economic feasibility study was done in partnership with N.C. State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The study found that North Carolina has great opportunity to catalyze food processing and manufacturing industrial development across the state. The anticipated economic impact of the recommendations in the study is nearly 38,000 jobs and an increased economic output of $10 billion by 2020.

    The North Carolina Food Manufacturing Task Force was created to achieve that goal. The task force is comprised of experts in poultry, beef, pork, dairy production, food processing, food packaging, transportation, education and economic development.

    The task force will focus on developing a plan to leverage existing activities in food processing and manufacturing; establishing a statewide food processing and manufacturing organization, directory and database; creating a proactive industrial recruitment campaign for new business development; and fostering the growth of food manufacturing entrepreneurs and increasing outreach.

    Lt. Governor Dan Forest, Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler and Secretary of Commerce John Skvarla will serve as voting members.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov