ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Small food businesses could grow in Tompkins County.

In addition to the long-awaited steamboat landing parking lot overhaul at the Ithaca Farmers Market, another big project is coming in 2025. The Friends of the Ithaca Farmers Market group has received a nearly $110,000 grant for its shared-use commercial kitchen project. It will allow market vendors access to professional equipment and technical expertise.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the official announcement on January 10. The funding comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission, which received a budget boost through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law.

“The gorges Ithaca Farmers Market along the scenic Cayuga Lake is a staple in Tompkins County, a food mecca for food enthusiasts and small businesses,” stated Schumer. “But too few small food entrepreneurs have the resources to scale their operations to the level they aspire. “I’m proud to deliver $109,255 in federal funding to Friends of the Ithaca Farmers Market to build a shared-use commercial kitchen so new food vendors have the resources they need to develop and sell their products and grow their businesses.”

The grant is matched by $89,149 from individual donors, $25,000 from the Park Foundation, and $17,000 from the City of Ithaca.

“Food manufacturing has emerged as a growth sector for Ithaca and Tompkins County over the past several years and has one of the highest rates of women and minority business owners and the lowest thresholds to entry,” said Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo. “As a result, in addition to creating more successful local food businesses, jobs, and economic activity by plugging a gap in the local food economy, this project holds promise to create wealth for diverse business owners, help address food insecurity, and shepherd a renaissance of specialty foods for Ithaca and the broader Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions.”

The shared-use kitchen will be at the former Greenstar Central Kitchen at 700 West Buffalo Street in Ithaca.