U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.4 Million to Support Food Infrastructure and Business Development in Peekskill, New York
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.4 million grant to Peekskill Facilities Development Corporation, Peekskill, New York, to help establish the Peekskill Commercial Kitchen Food Incubator.
The project will support the renovation of a former fire station for adaptive re-use, strengthening the region’s food infrastructure and enabling small and new businesses to access shared facilities, training opportunities, equipment, and the technical assistance they need to grow and thrive. This EDA grant will be matched with nearly $600,000 in local funds.
“President Biden is committed to boosting locally-driven initiatives designed to support businesses, provide greater opportunity for long-term growth and diversification, and strengthen the American economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will play an important role in supporting new food industry businesses in New York, helping to create greater economic opportunity and a more diverse regional economy.”
“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support the Peekskill Facilities Development Corporation as they work to grow and fortify their food cluster,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will allow Peekskill and the surrounding area to build on their existing local assets to support business development in the region.”
“New federal investment is going to help Peekskill cook up new jobs by transforming the abandoned former Peekskill firehouse into a one stop shop for entrepreneurs to grow their food businesses right here in the Hudson Valley. I am proud to deliver this $2.4 million in federal funding to create a new state-of-the-art culinary incubator in the City of Peekskill and reinvest in the city’s vibrant restaurant and hospitality industries that took a major hit during the pandemic. The new Peekskill Commercial Kitchen Food Incubator will not only support Westchester entrepreneurs and its growing culinary industry, but it also can create new partnerships with local farm networks with locally-sourced ingredients,” said Senator Chuck Schumer. “For far too long Peekskill has been a food desert and now, with this new federal investment, they have all the right ingredients to remove barriers for food entrepreneurs and bring healthy options back to the community.”
“This critical investment will provide emerging businesses in Peekskill with the resources and training they need to thrive,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I will keep working closely with the Biden administration to bring home federal dollars to support New York’s small businesses.”
“Grants like these are not only investments in the City of Peekskill, but in the Hudson Valley region,” said Congressman Mondaire Jones (NY-17). “I’m proud of the federal government’s partnership with the City of Peekskill in securing this funding, which will help establish the Peekskill Firehouse Kitchen Incubator, give new food entrepreneurs the opportunity to start their businesses, strengthen our local economy, and create hundreds of jobs right here in Peekskill.”
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.