[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            CELEBRATING NEON

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                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 23, 2024

  Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable 
achievement of the Northside Economic Opportunity Network as they break 
ground on their Food Entrepreneur Collective Kitchen.
  NEON is an invaluable nonprofit in my district that fosters local 
entrepreneurship to help open and support small businesses in North 
Minneapolis.
  North Minneapolis is a vibrant, diverse community full of drive and 
creativity--including aspiring small business owners striving to serve 
their neighborhoods. Due to historic disinvestment, it is also one of 
the Nation's most severe food deserts. NEON's transformative project 
will help to address both concerns.
  Almost half of NEON's 1,000+ clients are food entrepreneurs, each of 
whom face the significant barrier of the Northside's lack of a 
commercial kitchen to grow their business. Thanks to NEON, this will no 
longer be the case. Their Food Business Incubator will be more than a 
commercial kitchen--it will provide an innovative, collaborative venue 
for these Northside entrepreneurs to start, thrive, and grow their 
business ventures. And, it will create an environment for a new 
generation of Northside entrepreneurs to give back to their community.
  Team NEON, under Warren McLean's steadfast leadership, has worked 
tirelessly to make the dream of this Northside commercial kitchen a 
reality. I am immensely proud to have played a role in this amazing 
project by providing my first Community Project Funding award for 
$1,000,000 for this project. Ever since, NEON has been a shining 
example of what these awards can accomplish and their immeasurable 
impact on our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating NEON on 
this momentous occasion. Congratulations to Team NEON.

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