NY S00439

Establishes a Small Business Kitchen Incubator/Shared-Use Kitchen Program within the New York State Urban Development Corporation, authorized to award competitive grants from the Empire State Economic Development Fund to local development corporations, municipalities, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations for starting or expanding kitchen facilities.

Eligible uses for grants include construction, rehabilitation, equipment purchases, training, and technical assistance for kitchen incubator facilities that provide low-cost space and support services such as business planning, financial assistance, food production technical assistance, marketing, distribution, and storage.

Requires grant applicants to submit management and business plans demonstrating local business interest, the applicant's ability to deliver services, sustainability without long-term state subsidies, and policies for tenant entrance and graduation from the facility.

Limits individual grants to a maximum of $250,000 per year and provides preference to applicants serving highly distressed areas, providing local matches, meeting substantial local/regional needs, and developing plans to promote New York State agricultural products.

Amends section 16-m to include small business kitchen incubator/shared-use kitchen facilities among eligible projects for loans, loan guarantees, and grants from the corporation.