Waynesboro, VA – The Waynesboro Economic Development Authority has been awarded a $14,000 Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Planning Grant to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a community commercial kitchen at Vector Industries in Waynesboro.
The planning effort will explore the potential for a shared-use commercial kitchen that could provide local food entrepreneurs and small businesses with access to licensed production space and equipment, helping reduce barriers to starting or growing a food-based business in the region.
The study builds on a 2021 feasibility study conducted by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, which identified a need for a commercial, shard-use agricultural enterprise center in the central Shenandoah Valley. The new study will take a more focused look at current local business demand and the feasibility of locating a commercial kitchen within Vector Industries.
Vector Industries is a Waynesboro-based nonprofit organization that provides training and employment opportunities for people with a diverse range of abilities. The organization has expressed interest in expanding commercial kitchen operations within its facility, creating the potential to support local entrepreneurs while strengthening the regional food economy.
“This grant gives us the opportunity to take a closer look at a need that has been identified both regionally and by businesses here in our community,” said Greg Hitchin, Director of Economic Development for the City of Waynesboro. “A shared commercial kitchen could provide an important resource for food entrepreneurs who are ready to start or grow but may not have access to the space or equipment they need to take that next step.”
Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the Waynesboro award as one of two AFID Planning Grants supporting agriculture-based economic development projects across Virginia.
“These investments will help communities identify new opportunities to strengthen local farms, support entrepreneurs, create jobs, and expand the economic impact of Virginia agriculture,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger.
The Waynesboro EDA will use the findings of the study to determine the viability of a community commercial kitchen at Vector Industries and identify potential next steps for the project.
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