Cookie Works, resort awarded grants

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GREENVILLE — Applications for Community Development Block Grants to help two Greenville businesses expand have been approved for funding.
    Sangerville Town Manager Ken Woodbury, who prepared the applications when he worked for the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, said that Katahdin Cookie Works will receive $42,000 and Leisure Life Resort will receive $50,000.

    The funds were available through the CDBG Micro-Enterprise Assistance program, designed for businesses with five or fewer employees.
    The status of a third application from David Clark to demolish the old Black Frog Restaurant and build a new one on the site should be known later this summer, Woodbury said. Clark was seeking $600,000 under a different CDBG program.
    Katahdin Cookie Works, owned by Kris Arnold, began producing bakery products in 2013 from a renovated home on Lily Bay Road. According to the grant application, the total investment in the business so far is over $209,200.
    The grant would be used to “modernize the kitchen by acquiring commercial production grade equipment to replace the residential stoves and refrigerators that lack capacity and quality control features.”
    New equipment would include a 60-inch gas range with griddle and, a freezer, fryer, commercial microwave, Bain Marie prep table, conveyer toaster, proofing cabinet, dishwasher and donut filler.
    The funds will also be used to acquire a delivery vehicle which would allow KCW to offer off-site catering as well as delivery services to functions taking place in the community, such as weddings and other celebrations.
    Leisure Life Lounge has been a family-operated business since it opened in 1977 and has been managed by Kevin Adrien and his wife, Aureilie, for the past 17 years.
    The grant will be used to “environmentally secure the second floor restaurant/lounge facility. The windows in the large restaurant are old, leak air and greatly increase the costs of heating the second floor.”
    Last year Leisure Life Lounge went through 10,000 gallons of fuel oil, according to Kevin Adrien.
    With grant to replace the windows with modern, insulated windows and adding a new roof, the resort “will be able to free up capital to continue upgrading the facilities and keep its current full-time employees secure in their jobs and increase the opportunities for adding new jobs for LMI (low to moderate-income residents,” according to the application narrative.
    The cost for a new roof with architectural shingles is estimated to be $24,353 and the new windows pegged at $24,900.
    One more public hearing is needed to finalize the grant, according to Greenville Town Manager John Simko, and he’ll ask the board of selectmen to schedule it on Wednesday, May 20.