Bring your food product idea to market
The Starting Block is a home for individuals who want to take a special recipe to market or create a food business.
We are a non-profit, regional economic development organization committed to small business development initiatives - for businesses just starting out, or companies outgrowing their current facilities.
We provide entrepreneurs, producers, and processors properly equipped, licensed, and inspected food processing kitchens at reasonable rentals without the initial investment in costly facilities and equipment.
Commercial Kitchens
The shared-use, fully-equipped commercially licensed kitchens help meet food processing needs at low hourly rental rates. Our kitchens are available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week!
Small Dairy Facility
We are one of the few kitchen incubators with a 100-gallon Vat Pasteurizer for making cheese and other dairy products.
Warehouse & Storage
Refrigerator, freezer, and dry pallet storage is available for rent. Check our Fee Schedule for more details.
Office Rental
Office rental includes utilities, desk, internet access, use of conference room and shipping/receiving area, and parking.
Additional Services
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Product Development
Technical advice is offered on food production, pH testing, recipe batching, packaging, and labeling.
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Education
Small business management, networking, and individual business guidance are offered.
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Expert Resources
Kitchen and entrepreneurial support through The Starting Block and MSU Product Center.
Our Partners
Ongoing funding is provided through our partnership with the City of Hart.
What Our Clients Say:
“Big thanks! On behalf of all of us at Parallel 45 Enterprises, I just want to thank you for working so diligently at lending a big hand to us and to all the entrepreneurs at The Starting Block with opportunities such as we had with Meijer. It is safe to say that the work you so lovingly devote to small business in this state is noticed by few, however many will reap the rewards of your work and vision."