Funding will be used to support the expansion of the Revolving Test Kitchen initiative, invest in small, local food-based businesses in Lawrence.

The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission along with Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Senator Edward J. Markey, Senator Elizabeth Warren, the City of Lawrence, and the Lawrence Partnership announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a federal grant of $600,000 to the Lawrence Partnership, a broad coalition of business and civic leaders. This federal funding will be used to support the expansion of their Revolving Test Kitchen (RTK) initiative, an incubator to invest in small, local food-based businesses in Lawrence, Massachusetts. This expansion will allow for the RTK to increase operations and serve up to a dozen food-based businesses in Lawrence at once. The project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.

“At a moment when restaurants, caterers, bakers, food trucks, and other food businesses are facing unprecedented challenges because of COVID-19, this funding could not be more important,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Combined with contributions from local investors, this federal investment in the Revolving Test Kitchen’s proven model will give more small businesses access to vital funding while also creating 100 new jobs in the process. I’m proud to have partnered with Senator Markey to support the awarding of this grant, and I look forward to our continued work with Mayor Rivera, the Regional Planning Commission, and the Lawrence Partnership to deliver for the city.”

“The impact of the coronavirus is hitting Lawrence disproportionately hard,” said Senator Markey. “This federal funding will help mitigate the impact on businesses by awarding funding, as well as the prospect of further job-creation, enhanced neighborhood resilience, and overall economic development. I am proud to have helped secure the federal funding with my colleagues and Lawrence officials needed to support this vital initiative.”

“This crisis is putting a ton of pressure on small business owners, their families, and employees,” said Senator Warren. “This federal investment in the expansion of the Revolving Test Kitchen (RTK) initiative will help jumpstart small food-based businesses in Lawrence and help boost the local economy.”

“Thank you to Senators Markey and Warren and Congresswoman Trahan for their continued dedication and investment to entrepreneurship, especially in Lawrence,” said Mayor Daniel Rivera. “This investment means opportunities for immigrant entrepreneurs, making business ownership an attainable dream, while also feeding the Lawrence economy. The Lawrence Revolving Test Kitchen has proved to be an asset to local start-ups as it offers the space, training, and tools to set businesses on a path for success and the City has been proud to be a partner. Congratulations to Lawrence Partnership, Inc. and thank you all for continuing to Make Lawrence Better.”

“The Revolving Test Kitchen has been a valuable program for business and community development over the last three years and this additional investment will support the scaling of the model as the needs of our food-based businesses have never been greater,” said Derek Mitchell, Executive Director, Lawrence Partnership. “We are grateful for the collaboration leadership of so many partners—including our federal delegation, Lupoli Co., NECC, and the City of Lawrence among others— to help realize this vision.”

“The City of Lawrence is a hub of food entrepreneurs and EDA’s investment in the Revolving Test Kitchen will help micro-enterprises and small businesses test their proof-of-concept and succeed in their culinary ventures,” said Theresa Park, Executive Director, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.

“The Lawrence Revolving Test Kitchen provides local food-based businesses with the space and business training programs they need to succeed,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “The expanded facility will serve a broad range of food-based businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the region, and the project’s location in an Opportunity Zone will attract additional, diverse investment to the Merrimack Valley region.”

“The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is proud to have fought for this transformative investment.  Entrepreneurs are one of the Merrimack Valley’s most valuable assets. Expanding the Revolving Test Kitchen is an investment in entrepreneurship, giving people more pathways to wealth. The Lawrence Partnership’s leadership on this will make the entire Merrimack Valley more resilient and prosperous.” said Nate Robertson, Community and Economic Development Planner, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.

The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) serves as the region’s Economic Development District allowing us to serve as a conduit between the U.S. Economic Development Administration and local organizations. MVPC produces the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and oversees its implementation. Our partnership with EDA allows us to shepherd key economic development projects through their various grant programs, bringing needed Federal investment to the Merrimack Valley.

To learn more about MVPC’s CEDS Program click here. To learn more about Lawrence Partnership’s Revolving Test Kitchen click here.