US Congressman Glenn Thompson attended the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce fundraiser Saturday evening to announce that the project for a Cameron County Innovation Center featuring a USDA production kitchen has received federal funding approval.  Chamber executive director Tina Solak says Thompson has been involved with the project since it was first discussed in the fall of 2022. 

“The Congressman was at an event, and I shared information discussed by the chamber executive board.  He immediately suggested I keep him in the loop.” Representative Thompson said, “I am pleased to see this project come together for Cameron County and the entire community.  The redevelopment of Cabin Kitchen into a multifunctional community space will provide an option for entrepreneurs in the food space and expanded workforce development services, all under one roof.  I look forward to seeing the positive impacts this will have in Emporium and throughout Cameron County.”

The executive board was looking for a location to purchase, since it has been renting locations since a fire displaced the organization decades ago.  Ironically it is the same fire which destroyed the original Cabin Kitchen.  Since kitchen equipment is included, it makes sense to utilize that equipment and augment it with items necessary to qualify as a USDA production facility.  A USDA grant secured in July of 2023 will pay for those upgrades.   

The facility will enable producers to take a product directly to market and eliminate the need for entrepreneurs to certify home kitchens and provide a commissary location for food trucks.  Penn State Extension support is invaluable in this project.  Cameron County resident Harry Chrissy is the business and community vitality educator for the university.  His experience includes building two similar facilities.  Emporium Food Market Scott McCann is also a supporter promising shelf space at the store for items produced. 

The Cabin Kitchen footprint is double the square feet currently occupied by the chamber and artisan center.  This will allow the chamber to continue offering space for artisans, classroom space and allow Workforce Development to expand its offerings in the county.  There is no such facility located within a two-hour drive of Cameron County. 

“This is intended as an economic boost to the community by providing a convenient location for entrepreneur classes, food production, artisan sales and educational classes” explains Solak.  The application for funding included the support of Cameron County Farmers Market, Congressman Thompson, US Senators John Fetterman and Robert Casey, Cameron County School District and PA Wilds officials.