New food and beverage incubator to break ground in Jefferson Parish

Zoom in: The Greater New Orleans Food and Beverage Incubator will be housed in a 15,000-square-foot facility in Avondale's Churchill Technology and Business Park, the release says, making it an anchor tenant of the new 480-acre, mixed-use site.

• It'll include three commercial kitchens, demo and training space, offices and storage.
• Entrepreneurs will be able to rent space for food production and testing ideas, and programming will include entrepreneurial resources like mentorship, technical support and marketing help.

What they're saying: "This project will fill a significant void in the region," said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng in a press release.

• "Greater New Orleans and Jefferson Parish have long been a hub for food and beverage businesses, ranging from major manufacturers to successful startup companies. The construction of the incubator will allow us to keep serving and supporting the vibrant, innovative industry that drives much of our economic success."

Follow the money: The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission is funding the project with $4.2 million in grant money, the release says.

• Plus, food and beverage-related business is already a billion-dollar-industry for the region, according to GNO Inc., and the new incubator is estimated to add another $66.2 million in private investment.

What's next: Construction is due to begin in 2025.