Incubator to be finished in June

COLFAX — The Colfax Downtown Association is moving forward with its restaurant incubator project, with an expected completion date in June of this year.

The Association is collaborating with architectural firm, Hoist, of Palouse, and Magnum Construction, of Clarkston.

“We’re confident this facility will be more than just a collection of restaurants; it’ll be a place where friends and family gather, and entrepreneurs will chase their goals while also promoting economic vitality,” states an association press release from Monday, March 11.

An incubator is a workspace that offers business startups and new ventures access to needed resources. It also provides resident companies with access to advisors, mentors, administrative support, office equipment, training, and potential investors.

The association received $2,259,820 from the Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grants, ranging from $500,000 to $5 million, coming out to a total of $32.5 million grants awarded to 22 different projects out of over 120 proposals in November 2022.

The SBIF funds awarded funded a variety of activities, including small business incubators and accelerators, support for local procurement initiatives, improvements to physical workspaces in response to public health requirements or acts of vandalism, support for small business competitiveness programs focusing on hiring and retention, as well as projects increasing small business’s ability to succeed and thrive.

“We’re elated to introduce this opportunity to Colfax and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for its enduring patience and steadfast support throughout this journey,” states the press release.

Applications for restaurant tenants are open and due by Friday, March 22, with two leases available.

The CDA encourages anyone interested in launching a culinary venture in Colfax to apply at https://colfaxdowntownassociation.com/application/.