The Kohala Center has received a $2.18 million federal grant to build a commercial kitchen, work spaces and other facilities designed to help farmers and food producers develop and market their products.
The Agricultural Business Accelerator is designed to boost value-added agriculture, offering business planning, financial strategies and marketing. Such cottage industries as condiments, lotions, fiber and perfumes, along with organic salad mixes and specialty coffees will be key areas to benefit from the accelerator, according to The Kohala Center.
The center’s president and CEO Matthew Hamabata said the facility will help move Hawaii toward greater food self-reliance.
“We are very pleased to be able to further support and invest in Hawaii Island’s vibrant farming and food-producing community through this project,” Hamabata said.
The commercial kitchen and demonstration kitchen — suitable for live audiences and video — will be located at the future site for the center on Kohala Mountain Road. Design for the project will likely start in January, with completion in about two years.
The grant will allow the center to bring in the island’s professional chefs to talk about products that have waiting markets and are in high demand. Farmers and food producers will have access to stations where they will learn to clean and package their products for retail.
The grant is part of more than $5 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for three projects around the state, including $3 million for the High Technology Development Corp. to build an Entrepreneurs Sandbox at the Kakaako Collaboration Center in Honolulu, and $72,000 for a Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii manufacturing initiative.
Hawaii’s congressional delegation announced the grants Friday. In a joint statement, senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono said the funds will help diversify local economies while creating jobs and a more sustainable economy.
“Earlier this month, I visited Waimea and met with farmers who were passionate about increasing local food production, reducing dependence on imports, and strengthening the overall sustainability of Hawaii Island,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard in a statement. “Supporting the agricultural business accelerator is a smart move and a win-win across the board for our local economy, the jobs market, farmers, consumers, and sustainability efforts across the state.”