U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.8 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Expansion of Food Business Incubator in Denver, Colorado

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million grant to the West Community Economic Development Corporation, Denver, Colorado, to support expansion of the Kitchen Network Park Hill incubator. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will support local and regional food industry entrepreneurs by expand the incubator’s capacity to provide culinary training, business classes, and financial literacy to food businesses. This EDA grant will be matched with $890,301 in local funds and is expected to create 763 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a stronger America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will play an important role in supporting new food industry businesses in Colorado, helping to create jobs and a diverse regional economy.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will allow Denver to build upon existing assets to support business development and job creation in the region.”

“This new welcome support for innovative Colorado food industry entrepreneurs will help create good-paying jobs and grow Colorado’s leadership in agriculture, food tech, and culinary excellence,” said Governor Jared Polis.

“The Kitchen Network plays an integral role in Denver, and this will help them increase opportunities for entrepreneurship and boost workforce development in some of the city’s underserved communities,” said Senator Michael Bennet.

“The restaurant industry has never been easy, especially during a global pandemic,” said Senator John Hickenlooper. “This funding to the Kitchen Network will help create jobs and give more restaurant owners a shot at success.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.