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Authorizing the Application for and Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant for the Kane County Food and Farm Technical Assistance Program
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WHEREAS, agriculture is a significant contributor to Kane County's economy, supporting businesses, employment, farmland preservation, local food production, and the long-term economic vitality of the County; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Board recognizes the importance of agricultural economic development through initiatives that strengthen farm businesses, expand market opportunities, improve business competitiveness, and promote long-term sustainability within Kane County's agricultural sector; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Board recognizes that technical assistance is an essential economic development strategy that provides farmers, agricultural businesses, entrepreneurs, and rural enterprises with business planning, grant-writing assistance, financial management support, marketing resources, regulatory guidance, and other capacity-building services necessary to improve economic resilience and business success; and
WHEREAS, on August 13, 2013, the Kane County Board adopted the Growing for Kane Program through Ordinance No. 13-240 to promote locally grown food production, expand market opportunities for agricultural producers, and assist Kane County farms in obtaining federal, state, private, and other funding opportunities supporting agricultural production and economic development; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Kane County Food and Farm Technical Assistance Program advances the goals of the Growing for Kane Program by expanding technical assistance services, increasing access to business development resources, strengthening rural businesses, and supporting the continued growth and competitiveness of Kane County agriculture; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant Program provides financial assistance to support technical assistance, business development, and economic development activities that strengthen rural businesses and agricultural enterprises; and
WHEREAS, the Development and Community Services Department recommends that the County of Kane apply for funding through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant Program for the project titled Kane County Food and Farm Technical Assistance Program; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Board finds that submission of this grant application is in the best interest of the County of Kane and its agricultural community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Kane County Board as follows:
Section 1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein as though fully set forth in this Resolution.
Section 2. The Kane County Board hereby authorizes the County of Kane to apply for and, if awarded, administer funding through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant Program for the project titled Kane County Food and Farm Technical Assistance Program.
Section 3. The Kane County Board authorizes the Kane County Board Chairwoman (Corinne M. Pierog), the Director of the Kane County Development and Community Services Department (Mark VanKerkhoff), and the Planning Division Manager of the Kane County Development and Community Services Department (Christopher Toth) to execute the grant application and all grant agreements, certifications, assurances, reimbursement requests, amendments, reports, closeout documents, and any other documents necessary to apply for, accept, administer, and close out the USDA Rural Business Development Grant, subject to the review and advisement of the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.
Section 4. The Development and Community Services Department is authorized to administer the grant, if awarded, in accordance with all applicable federal requirements, grant conditions, and County policies.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption as provided by law.
Passed by the Kane County Board on August 11, 2026.
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John A. Cunningham, MBA, JD, JD Corinne M. Pierog MA, MBA
Clerk, County Board Chairman, County Board
Kane County, Illinois Kane County, Illinois
Vote: