INNOVATIVE COMMERCIAL KITCHEN CENTER SET TO OPEN IN WEST PHILADELPHIA WITH PIDC SUPPORT

On September 14, 2012, The Enterprise Center showcased its new 13,000 square foot commercial kitchen center, which promises to be one of the nation’s most comprehensive commercial kitchen centers.  Designed to be an engine for creating food-related jobs and businesses in Philadelphia, the Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises (CCE) will provide the commercial kitchen on a rental basis, offer resources and provide food safety regulation assistance to early-stage food companies.  The experience and resources gained at the CCE will enable these entrepreneurs to advance to the stage where they can invest in their own facilities.  The ribbon cutting event included remarks by Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and The Enterprise Center’s President, Della Clark, and was followed by a tour of the state-of-the-art facility.

Located at 310 South 48^th Street, in the Spruce Hill section of Southwest Philadelphia, the CCE includes three state-of-the-art commercial kitchens for rent to culinary entrepreneurs, the eKitchen Multimedia Learning Center, and retail spaces leased to local businesses.  This project involves the redevelopment of a former supermarket with the expectation of revitalizing the area and bringing fresh food and new jobs to an underserved community.  The CCE is expected to create more than 50 new jobs within its first year of operation and up to 150 new jobs over a three year period, with 10 new companies launching out of the incubator each year.

The development of the CCE has been a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, and PIDC is proud to have provided financing to this important project through our Growth Loan Program.  The Growth Loan program provides low-interest, subordinate loans to for-profit or non-profit businesses in Philadelphia which are undertaking capital investment projects (such as building acquisition and renovation, tenant improvements, or purchase of equipment) and creating new jobs.

For more information on how PIDC can assist your small business, please contact Marla S. Hamilton, Vice President, Market Development at 215.496.8125 or mhamilton@pidc-pa.org.