US Dept of Commerce Invests $1.3 Million in Columbia's Agriculture Park
Happy spring to you and yours!
Last week a HUGE federal grant was made to City of Columbia that will support expansion of the MU Health Care Pavilion, home of Columbia Farmers Market! This $1.3 million investment from the Economic Development Administration has boosted our total campaign fundraising to $7.28 million! Construction of the MU Health Care Pavilion expansion is planned for this winter.
Last year Columbia Farmers Market was voted #1 in the nation. Since the pavilion's first phase opened in 2019, CFM has seen significant growth in terms of customer counts, total sales, and inquires from farmers. Our projections show a continued increase in customers, sales, and opportunities for local farmers and shoppers once the second phase of the pavilion is completed. Read more about recent trends in the CFM 2021 Annual Report.
Check out these great new articles and interviews that helped announce this investment:
We even got a shout out from Missouri Governor Mike Parson in the official press release. A big thank you to Gov. Parson for these kind words!
“We’re happy to receive this grant that will further expand and develop Columbia’s lively Farmers Market in the heart of the city,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Not only will growing the Farmers Market increase access to fresh food for area residents, it will also extend better market opportunities for farmers and small business owners across Central Missouri to sell their Missouri-Made products.”
So what's next for CoMO Ag Park?
1. Expansion of the MU Health Care pavilion during winter 2022-23.
The expansion plans have been fully approved by the city building and purchasing departments. A competitive bid process now in motion and we are aiming to select a contractor in the very near future. This contractor will help secure the pavilion materials and install them on site. Our goal is for this work to began at the end of the summer market season (late October 2022) and for work to completed before the beginning of the summer market season (late March 2023). Fingers crossed that all the supply lines cooperate with us over the coming season so we can maintain this desired timeline.
2. This federal investment frees up private dollars raised during our 2021 "Fund-Raise The Roof" push. Up next: the Multi-purpose Welcome Center.
Our total fundraising to date is now over $7.28 million! Now with this major federal investment, our campaign is well on its way to finishing the final building in the park--the 11,000 sqft Welcome Center. You will hear much more about this unique space over the coming season as we approach the finish line of this multi-year capital campaign.
3. STATE TAX CREDITS!
Another aspect of good news for the campaign is the availability of 50% State Tax Credits! Donors who want to support the development of this project can save significantly on their taxes. More information about these credits can be found here.
4. Spring is here!
Come check out all the great things that are lined up at Columbia's Agriculture Park! The Columbia Farmers Market begins its summer season on April 2nd; the sidewalls come up and the hours start earlier, running from 8 to noon.
Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's volunteering season is now open and the CCUA's "Sponsor A Row" campaign is beginning to ramp up.
Check out these links and come visit us on Saturday morning!
Birds-eye rendering that features the finished MU Health Care Pavilion and multi-purpose "Welcome Center" that will house a community resource center, event/teaching space, a teaching kitchen, and offices.