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<br /> Proposal Narrative
<br /> Coalition Vision. The shared vision of the Hawaii Island ' Coalition is of an Agricultural
<br /> Cluster that builds its capacity to sustainably generate new jobs and income suited to the Island's
<br /> unique resources and communities. Hawaii Island's Agricultural Cluster represents the region's
<br /> greatest asset and potential for economic growth and innovation. The island's immense
<br /> geographic size (4,028 square miles), abundant land and ocean resources, and variety of growing
<br /> climates together create the necessary base for building a closed-loop economic system that j
<br /> provides quality jobs, natural resource protection, equitable economic development, and linkages
<br /> to high-tech innovation and commercialization opportunities.
<br /> The County's most recent CEDS, attached as an appendix,reflects Agriculture as a targeted
<br /> cluster for development and lists the cluster goal to `Build a sustainable agricultural industry that
<br /> can provide a living that is satisfying and financially rewarding for island farmers, cattlemen,
<br /> aquaculturists, and agricultural sector workers and mitigating exports."While the Regional
<br /> Growth Coalition defines Hawaii County's targeted cluster as Agriculture, it is important to note
<br /> that this cluster connects across value-chain and supply-chain domains to other supporting
<br /> clusters including transportation, warehousing, value-added processing and manufacturing,
<br /> scientific research, diagnostic testing, educational services, business services, waste
<br /> management, environmental services, wholesale, retail, marketing, and finance. It is this larger
<br /> interconnected web that we define as the Agriculture Cluster.
<br /> Economic Opportunity. Hawaii County has a unique opportunity to Build its Agricultural
<br /> System Back Better through a collection of projects that correct past systemic barriers to growth
<br /> and respond to the current pandemic-related downturn by providing the physical and human
<br /> capital needed to create a robust agricultural economy that is in line with our diverse
<br /> communities' values. The cluster has an exceptional opportunity to grow the agricultural
<br /> economy within Hawaii. The state imports around 90%of its food, equating to three billion
<br /> dollars leaving the state each year, diverting just 20%of that capital to local producers would
<br /> double the sector's market share and every 10%that is diverted would represent 2,300 new jobs.
<br /> With the Hawaii-made brand the economic growth potential within the specialty export market
<br /> is expansive.
<br /> At this time, only a small fraction of locally grown agricultural products are sold in mainstream
<br /> retailers. All of the projects detailed below are designed to provide the necessary certifications
<br /> for training, facilities, value-added processing, and distribution to allow locally produced food to
<br /> be sold at all retailers, grocers, and clubs across our island state. We believe these investments,
<br /> interventions, and greatly expanded markets, will help accelerate workforce development, wage
<br /> growth, overall economic growth, and industry innovations,while collectively scaling
<br /> meaningful growth and opportunities for all stakeholders.
<br /> Coalition Members
<br /> County of Hawai`i's Department of Research and Development(COH R&D) is the local
<br /> economic development agency for the County and the lead coalition member. The Director of
<br /> R&D is the project's Regional Economic Competitiveness Officer. The County has chosen
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<br /> Hawaii County Build Back Better Regional Challenge Phase I Proposal Narrative 1
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