Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $982,800 to Establish Food Entrepreneurship Incubator Facility in Downtown Rochester, New York

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $982,800 grant to the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation of Rochester, New York, to renovate a portion of the Sibley Building for use as a shared-use commercial kitchen that will support local food entrepreneurs. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 100 jobs and generate $3 million in private investment.

“We commend the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation for their focus on helping local entrepreneurs build strong new businesses,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs Dennis Alvord. “We look forward to seeing how the new Rochester Commissary food incubator facility will support growth of the agribusiness, food processing and technology cluster in the Genesee/Finger Lakes Region.”

The investment will help renovate 5,648 square feet of space in the Sibley Building at 250 East Main Street in Rochester to establish the Rochester Commissary, a shared-use commercial kitchen that will include fourteen kitchen stations, one show kitchen, and shared-use dry and cold storage.

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 makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.