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HUGS Cafe asks MCDC for roughly $683,000 to expand greenhouse operations and create jobs
Summary
HUGS Cafe requested approximately $683,467 from MCDC to add three greenhouses and related infrastructure to its greenhouse campus, saying the expansion would create work hours, new mission‑based positions and an estimated $150,000 in additional annual revenue.
HUGS Cafe representatives presented a grant request at the April 23 meeting to expand greenhouse capacity and site infrastructure at the HUGS greenhouse campus in McKinney.
Lauren (HUGS) and Kit Marshall, administrative coordinator, described a proposal that includes three multipurpose greenhouses, one propagation house, relocation of the septic system, driveway and gate improvements, heating to support year‑round production, and accessibility improvements. Kit Marshall recounted her personal trajectory from mission‑based associate to administrative coordinator and credited HUGS with providing employment pathways for people with disabilities.
HUGS said the expansion would support an estimated $150,000 in added annual revenue and more than double the points of sale and wholesale capacity; the organization estimated it could add roughly 5,600 work hours annually and hire six additional mission‑based staff by the end of 2027 (a 67% increase in mission‑based staff). The total project budget was presented at about $1,160,000, with HUGS reporting roughly $510,000 already invested and requesting MCDC support for up to $650,000 in site and infrastructure expenses; the agenda listed a slightly different figure ($682,467) that staff corrected in the hearing to $683,467.
Board members questioned the proportion of the project the CDC would fund and whether other funding sources existed. HUGS representatives said the MCDC funds would be catalytic infrastructure dollars and that foundation and individual donors supplied much of the programmatic capital to date. The board closed the public hearing and later the applicant requested the item be postponed until the next grant cycle in July so the board could consider funding and public comments.
