1️⃣ EDA-Optimized Narrative Addendum

(Use this to strengthen scoring sections or insert into “Need for Assistance,” “Project Impact,” or “Regional Relevance”)

Regional Need & Economic Distress Context

Rural Missouri faces persistent and compounding challenges related to food access, supply chain fragility, and lack of community infrastructure. Wright County and surrounding counties are characterized by limited grocery access, long travel distances for basic food needs, and a high reliance on external food systems vulnerable to disruption.

These conditions create not only nutritional gaps, but also economic inefficiencies, social isolation, and missed workforce development opportunities. In many rural communities, food access is the first—and often most visible—signal of broader systemic fragility.

The Hellbender Community Kitchen & Rural Resilience Hub addresses this challenge by establishing place-based infrastructure that stabilizes local food access while supporting skill-building, micro-enterprise participation, and community trust.

EDA Alignment & Economic Impact

This project advances EDA investment priorities by:

  • Strengthening regional economic resilience through localized food infrastructure

  • Supporting workforce participation via skill-building and food handling capacity

  • Creating shared-use infrastructure that reduces barriers for small producers and community organizations

  • Anchoring community engagement in a low-barrier, dignified access model

Rather than treating food as a transactional commodity, this project positions food as an economic connector—opening doors for collaboration, local enterprise, and sustained regional participation.

Why Food Infrastructure Matters

Food access is often the most effective entry point for building trust in rural communities. Consistent, respectful access to food creates environments where neighbors feel seen, valued, and invested, allowing additional economic and civic participation to follow naturally.

By stabilizing food access, this project creates conditions where communities can:

  • Share resources

  • Exchange skills

  • Participate in local economic activity

  • Build long-term resilience together

2️⃣ One-Page Funder / Stakeholder Summary

(Perfect for EDA reviewers, regional partners, or local officials)

Hellbender Community Kitchen & Rural Resilience Hub

Building Food Access. Strengthening Rural Missouri.

Who We Are

GOTURSIX, Inc. is a Missouri-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Veterans, Families, and Neighbors to thrive for life through community-based infrastructure that supports growth, connection, and participation.

The Challenge

Rural Missouri communities face shrinking food access, fragile supply chains, and limited shared infrastructure—leaving many residents traveling long distances for basic needs and weakening local economies.

The Solution

The Hellbender Community Kitchen & Rural Resilience Hub will establish:

  • A 30’ x 60’ shared-use community kitchen

  • A 25’ x 25’ donation-based food storefront

  • A central hub for food aggregation, preparation, and distribution

Why It Matters

Food is more than nourishment—it is a doorway to trust. When communities can reliably access food locally, stronger relationships, economic participation, and shared stewardship naturally follow.

Project Investment

  • Total Cost: $2,685,000

  • EDA Request: $2,000,000

  • Non-Federal Match: $482,000

Timeline

  • 2026: Fundraising & Engagement

  • 2027: Construction

  • 2028: Full Operations & Regional Impact

3️⃣ CEDS-Aligned Language (Drop-In Ready)

Use this verbatim in CEDS letters or regional alignment sections:

The Hellbender Community Kitchen & Rural Resilience Hub supports regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) priorities by strengthening food system resilience, expanding workforce participation, and investing in shared-use infrastructure that addresses long-standing rural access gaps. The project advances economic stability by localizing food preparation and distribution capacity, reducing dependence on distant supply chains, and creating inclusive participation opportunities for underserved rural populations.

4️⃣ Operations & Sustainability Section

(This is where many applications fall short—you’ll stand out here)

Operational Model

The Hellbender Community Kitchen & Rural Resilience Hub will operate as a shared-use, community-centered facility, supporting:

  • Food aggregation and preparation

  • Donation-based food access

  • Workforce skill development

  • Community-led programming

Operations will be phased, allowing capacity to scale responsibly as demand increases.

Financial Sustainability

Long-term sustainability will be supported through a diversified model, including:

  • Donation-based storefront contributions

  • Program and workshop revenue

  • Equipment sharing and kitchen access fees (sliding scale)

  • Ongoing philanthropy and public-private partnerships

This blended approach reduces reliance on any single revenue source and increases adaptability to rural economic conditions.

Long-Term Impact & Replicability

By 2028, GOTURSIX anticipates the Hellbender Hub will function as a regional proof-of-concept, demonstrating how food-centered infrastructure can stabilize rural communities while supporting economic participation.

The model is intentionally designed for replication across other Missouri food deserts using local partnerships and scaled investment.

5️⃣ Talking Points for Board, Partners, & Elected Officials

Use these verbatim:

  • “Food is the most reliable place to start rebuilding rural resilience.”

  • “This project turns food access into economic participation.”

  • “We’re not importing solutions—we’re building local capacity.”

  • “When food access is stable, communities grow stronger together.”

  • “This is infrastructure that pays dividends in trust, workforce readiness, and resilience.”