Shared commercial kitchen project
The Kitchen at 185
We are developing a shared commercial kitchen and food incubator in downtown Skowhegan that will offer low-barrier-to-entry production space and expand value-add and retail opportunities for niche local food producers, aspiring culinary entrepreneurs, and farmers who are creating unique quality products.
$394,000
Fundraised for the Kitchen at 185
MTI Grant
MTI awarded Main Street Skowhegan $195,000 toward the Kitchen at 185 Commercial Kitchen Project. MTI was the first to award MSS for this project.
T-mobile Grant
T-Mobile awarded Main Street Skowhegan $50,000 to help us build The Kitchen at 185, a shared commercial kitchen and food business incubator.
USDA Grant
USDA State Director Rhiannon Hampson presented Main Street Skowhegan with a $99,000 grant award to develop our future food incubator.
Future Kitchen at 185 Programming
Technical Education Partnerships
Expanded opportunities for culinary students at KVCC & regional CTE program
Culinary Career Pathways
Tailored training & skills development for aspiring culinary professionals
Kitchen Incubator Program
Six-month program that offers support and business basics to make food startups financially sustainable
“Through my work as Main Street Skowhegan’s Business Relations Manager, I quickly came to learn how strong Skowhegan’s local food economy truly is, with niche local food producers and farmers in the area that are creating unique quality products, but there is still more work to be done, especially in supporting those who are interested in beginning their journey within the food industry, which can be volatile and highly risky. We believe that providing access to a shared-use commercial kitchen along with ongoing business development and support services will aid in significantly reducing the upfront startup costs and risk associated with starting a food business and look forward to strengthening both the local, regional, and state food economies.”
– Patric Moore, Business Relations Manager, Main Street Skowhegan
“I have been looking for a rentable space to expand my small business for some time now. It is exciting to consider the potential and possibilities of Kitchen at 185 and how we can work together. This is so needed in the area!”
Kristin Wallaker, Precessional Apothecary
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Potential Kitchen user