The University District Public Development Authority (UDPDA) recently announced they we're awarded a $75,000 Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) Grant to conduct a feasibility study to develop a U Incubation Village regional destination center.
The proposed concept for the U Incubation Village calls for a dynamic, multi-use neighborhood hub that reconnects the district with adjacent neighborhoods, creates jobs, celebrates place-based agricultural businesses, and supports local BIPOC makers and entrepreneurs. Much like Portland Mercado, a U Incubation Village folk market (to be operated by AHANA, Spokane's Muti-Ethnic Business Assocation) would consist of a community-driven outdoor market offering affordable retail space and business incubation services to diverse start-up businesses.
Additionally, the U District Incubation Village would launch programs such as a food processing plant, a relocated regional food hub and malting facility, a green jobs maker space village and reskilling center, a food waste upcycling plant, and a composting facility all in a historically distressed census tract.
"We are thrilled to be in a position to study the long-range feasibility of a multi-cultural market and agri-business center for the UD" said Juliet Sinisterra, CEO. "Building an urban destination that celebrates our regional farmers, incubates local businesses, and creates living wage jobs is a priority for the district"
The purpose of the grant is to develop a clear picture of the existing food ecosystem and needs around a regional food processing center; to determine market feasibility to support a folk market and business incubation center; to build relationships and trust with rural farmers, local BIPOC, and immigrant communities, and to outline a path forward to launch the project.
For more information on the Spokane University District, visit their website at https://www.spokaneudistrict.org , and for more information on AHANA, visit their website at https://ahana-meba.org