by Robert Collignon, Cosmik Ice Cream

When it came time to choose where to give back as part of the 1% for the Planet program, supporting the Catskill Center was the only way to go.

Five years ago, after a decade living in the city, I moved to Hobart to get closer to nature and to start a new business. I’ve always loved freeze-dried ice cream and wanted to make it with high quality ingredients, so Cosmik Ice Cream was born. After building a production facility in Margaretville, the Catskill Center connected me to other small business owners at the Great Outdoor Expo, where I found guidance and support. 

Over the next few years as my business found its footing in Delaware Country, I found a community and a renewed appreciation for the outdoors. I quickly fell in love with the mountains and with the rolling farmland and I slowly worked on joining the 3500 Club. The Catskill Center’s impact was felt beyond the Expo as I hiked, scaled fire towers and visited the ERPF gallery. And as I became more involved in the community, I saw that the Catskills Center was a constant presence at local events.

While I had to move down to Brooklyn last year, my wife and I are hoping to get back to the Catskills to set up some permanent roots in an area that we’ve both fallen in love with. And maybe I’ll even hit that 3500 Club goal.

As a small business owner, I’m proud to support the Catskill Center in their preservation and improvement of the region. It’s an honor to give back to a place that has given me so much.

Learn more about Cosmik here: https://www.cosmik.com/

Want to become a Catskill Center Business Member? Find out how here: https://catskillcenter.org/businessmembership