Brooksville businessman wants to save the cannery

Calling the Little Rock Cannery Hernando's "golden egg," a Brooksville businessman is working with the county to develop a marketing plan for the facility off Citrus Way.

Ray Nielsen, owner of Green World Path in Brooksville, said the subject came up Thursday night during some of the classes his company offers, and it was decided that he would come up with a business plan to promote the cannery.

If enough people join him, Nielsen said the county could reduce its funding for the cannery.

The first thing to do, he said, is let people know it exists.

"We found that very few people know about it, including myself, and I've lived here for 40 years," he said.

Nielsen admits his plan is still in the early stages. But this is what he wants to do:

• Promote the cannery to its educational and outreach programs at Green World Path.

• Explore possible state and federal grants.

• Work with county staffers on different funding options.

• Seek volunteers to work on a marketing plan.

Nielsen said many families depend on the cannery for healthy, preservative-free foods.

Green World Path manufactures more than 45 different products for sustainable agriculture and other green industries.

The county budgets about $49,000 a year for the facility, which employs one full-time person. County commissioners have considered closing the cannery as one way to make up for a $9.9 million reduction in the 2010 budget.

About 80 people pay an annual $10 membership fee to use the facility to can fruits and vegetables.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Jim Adkins is looking to get the cannery off the tax rolls completely and is talking with members of the Hernando County Fair Association to see if they are willing to assume operations.

If nothing else, Adkins said the cannery should be open on a seasonal basis where people can visit by appointment only with other small groups.

For now, the county has agreed to keep the Little Rock Cannery open.

However, board members directed Regional Specialized Extension Agent Stacy Strickland to explore "creative" ways to reduce expenses.

The Little Rock Cannery is located at 15487 Citrus Way, at U.S. 98 and County Road 491, about nine miles north of Brooksville, near the border of Citrus County.

People interested in helping Nielsen with the cannery can call 352-799-0200 and ask for Nielsen or his events coordinator Dori Bon.