NY A04166

Establishes a Small Business Kitchen Incubator/Shared-Use Kitchen Program within the New York State Urban Development Corporation to award competitive grants to local development corporations, municipalities, educational institutions, and nonprofits for starting or expanding food processing facilities.

Grants may fund construction, rehabilitation, equipment purchase, training, and technical assistance for kitchen facilities that serve small and emerging businesses and must be licensed by state and federal food safety agencies.

Facilities must provide low-cost space below market value and support services including business planning, management assistance, financial packaging, and linkages to financing; may also offer food production technical assistance, marketing, distribution, and other services.

Grant limit of $250,000 per year per applicant with preference given to applicants in highly distressed areas, those providing local matches, and those developing plans to assist tenants in purchasing New York State agricultural products.

Applicants must submit management and business plans demonstrating local business interest, ability to deliver services, fee structures, tenant entrance/exit policies, and long-term financial self-sustainability without ongoing state subsidies.