MONROE - Small, independent food businesses could make a big impact on Green County's economy.
More than 100 people indicated an interest in a shared-use commercial kitchen facility through the Green County Community Commercial Kitchen survey, which began April 4.
Forty-eight percent of the survey respondents indicated desired sales goals for products they would be making at the facility. If each of them met their goals, the impact on Green County's economy would be more than $650,000 per year in sales, according to the survey.
"Even if a small percentage of those interested in starting a food business met their goals, we're looking at a significant impact here in Green County," said Cara Carper, Community Resource Development Educator at Green County UW Extension.
Carper is excited and encouraged by the number of people who filled out the survey, as well as the large number of different products they would like to produce for sale.
"A community commercial kitchen would enable local residents to produce food products for sale," Carper said.
Community-based, "incubator" commercial kitchens are gaining popularity throughout Wisconsin and the nation. The ventures help stimulate local economic vitality and promote regional food through the creation of small business enterprises.
Carper brought the community kitchen idea to, and received strong support from, the collaborative efforts between UW-Extension, Monroe Main Street, Green County Development Corporation (GSCD), both Monroe and New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, Green County Tourism and Blackhawk Technical College.
Part of the need for the survey is to seek potential funding sources. Grant applications for funds to build such facilities require proof of need, interest and use to qualify for consideration.
Green County UW Extension will showcase the results of the community commercial kitchen survey at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 1. The public meeting will be held at the Amcore Bank community meeting room, 1625 10th St., located on the north side of Monroe's Historic Square.
Anyone who completed the survey, is interested in launching a food-based business or is supportive of the local food movement in Green County is encouraged to attend.
Discussion regarding survey results, potential user needs and next steps are expected to take place at the meeting. Focus group discussions for those who completed the survey will be scheduled the week of June 8. If you completed a survey, but did not include contact information, please contact Cara Carper, UW-Extension at 328-9441 or cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu.
More than 100 people indicated an interest in a shared-use commercial kitchen facility through the Green County Community Commercial Kitchen survey, which began April 4.
Forty-eight percent of the survey respondents indicated desired sales goals for products they would be making at the facility. If each of them met their goals, the impact on Green County's economy would be more than $650,000 per year in sales, according to the survey.
"Even if a small percentage of those interested in starting a food business met their goals, we're looking at a significant impact here in Green County," said Cara Carper, Community Resource Development Educator at Green County UW Extension.
Carper is excited and encouraged by the number of people who filled out the survey, as well as the large number of different products they would like to produce for sale.
"A community commercial kitchen would enable local residents to produce food products for sale," Carper said.
Community-based, "incubator" commercial kitchens are gaining popularity throughout Wisconsin and the nation. The ventures help stimulate local economic vitality and promote regional food through the creation of small business enterprises.
Carper brought the community kitchen idea to, and received strong support from, the collaborative efforts between UW-Extension, Monroe Main Street, Green County Development Corporation (GSCD), both Monroe and New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, Green County Tourism and Blackhawk Technical College.
Part of the need for the survey is to seek potential funding sources. Grant applications for funds to build such facilities require proof of need, interest and use to qualify for consideration.
Green County UW Extension will showcase the results of the community commercial kitchen survey at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 1. The public meeting will be held at the Amcore Bank community meeting room, 1625 10th St., located on the north side of Monroe's Historic Square.
Anyone who completed the survey, is interested in launching a food-based business or is supportive of the local food movement in Green County is encouraged to attend.
Discussion regarding survey results, potential user needs and next steps are expected to take place at the meeting. Focus group discussions for those who completed the survey will be scheduled the week of June 8. If you completed a survey, but did not include contact information, please contact Cara Carper, UW-Extension at 328-9441 or cara.carper@ces.uwex.edu.