EDC seeks input on kitchen
SANDPOINT — As part of an effort to spur small-business innovation, North Idaho economic development officials are assessing the need for a regional commercial kitchen, which would be located at the Bonner County Fairgrounds for use by current or budding food producers.
"The purpose of the kitchen is to have a commercial grade facility — FDA, USDA approved — so that startup food companies have a place to come that they can correctly prepare their products and package them for sale," said Paul Kusche, executive director of the Bonner County Economic Development Corporation.
A commercial kitchen was previously located at the Sandpoint Business Incubator from 2010 until 2013 and Kusche said more than 30 small companies utilized the space during that time. The previous users have been queried and while a few have responded, Kusche said he and other organizers urgently need to hear back from those they have reached out to, as well as anyone else who would be interested in using the facility.
"We are simply, right now, trying to reach out and find out who is out there and whether there is still interest," he said. "We are trying to do the assessment — should we do this, or should we not?"
He said the kitchen could used by anyone for things like packaging for the local Farmers Market and small businesses that package and sell their own food, and because it would be located at the fairgrounds, it could also be used for caterers preparing meals for events at the fairgrounds and around town. He said it could be used by anyone throughout the region. At the previous facility, Kusche said one user drove from central Washington because while there are other commercial kitchens in the Northwest, none had the "full range" of services, such as steam kettles for making jams and jelly, freezers for frozen goods, equipment for bottling and more.
There is land available at the fairgrounds and Kusche said funding is available through the Montana and Idaho Community Development Corporation, Panhandle Area Council and some funding in 2018 from the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency. Also, all of the equipment from the former commercial kitchen is currently in storage and in good condition.
"We've got money out there, we've got property, we've got a design, but before I jump off a cliff I want to know if people out there who want to support this," Kusche said.
If demand warrants, engineering could be completed and construction underway by spring of 2017.
Anyone with an interest or need in a commercial kitchen facility should contact Kusche at 208-265-6402 or by email at kitchen@bonnercountyedc.com; Dennis Weed, director of the Boundary County Economic Council at 208-267-0352; or Amy Emmons, Priest River Development Corporation at 208-448-1312.