For Immediate Release
May 24, 2023 / Alchemist CDC / Sacramento, CA
The State of California has announced the award of $8.1 million to Alchemist Community Development Corporation (Alchemist CDC) through the CERF Economic Development Pilot Program. This award completes the funding needed to construct the Alchemist Public Market project, which will offer the amenities that enable under-served entrepreneurs to start new food businesses, provide workforce development for workers with high barriers to employment, create an attractive and energetic community gathering place, and offer low-income neighbors access to quality food from local producers. When constructed on the .82 acres owned by Alchemist CDC in Sacramento’s River District, Alchemist Public Market will be an all-electric campus including a shared-use incubator kitchen, a social enterprise café operated by partner NorCal Resist, a retail store with grocery staples featuring products from small Sacramento makers, and a co-working office. It will also be home to 8 small incubator restaurants with a shared outdoor food court, ample shade structures, a weekly farmers’ market, an inclusive playground, and more.
The Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) was established by the California legislature in 2021 within the Workforce Services Branch of the Employment Development Department (EDD), in collaboration with the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The CERF program was created to promote a sustainable and equitable recovery from the economic distress of COVID-19 by supporting new plans and strategies to diversify local economies and develop sustainable industries that create high-quality, broadly accessible jobs for all Californians.
“We are grateful beyond words to receive this funding from the CERF Economic Development Pilot Program,” shared Sam Greenlee, Executive Director of Alchemist CDC. “This investment from the State of California will strengthen the local economy in Sacramento for everyone. There are many potential entrepreneurs in the region who have great concepts, delicious recipes, and impressive work ethic, but simply lack the resources needed to start and scale up a successful food business. The tools and opportunities provided by Alchemist Public Market will bridge that gap.”
About Alchemist CDC
Alchemist CDC is a 501(c)(3) Sacramento-based organization that connects underserved communities to land, food, and economic opportunities, toward a vision in which all neighborhoods are vibrant, equitable, healthy and diverse. The Alchemist team has extensive experience assisting under-resourced food entrepreneurs, making farmers’ markets accessible to low-income households, and empowering neighborhoods to build community assets through the transformation of un-utilized spaces.
Media Contact
Sam Greenlee, Executive Director
sam@alchemistcdc.org | @alchemistcdc | alchemistcdc.org
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