The project has been in the making for only a few months, but already the Bellefonte Keystone Community Development Association is fielding calls from startup entrepreneurs interested in space at the soon-to-open SpringBoard — a small-business incubator set to open in the spring.
On Dec. 27, BKCD got another boost for the project when the Centre County Board of Commissioners committed $17,673.53 from county coffers to help the incubator get on its feet.
‘We’re more excited now than ever about this project,’ said Vana Dainty, coordinator of BKCDA. ‘We’ve grown by leaps and bounds since this project started, and we’re excited to get everything up and running. Everything is falling into place.’
According to Dainty, the funds committed by the commissioners will be used to pay for the design of a logo and signs, architectural design and building materials.
The Bellefonte incubator project was envisioned by Commissioner Mark Higgins soon after he took office in January. He wanted to create two small-business incubators in the county, including one in Philipsburg and another in Bellefonte. The Philipsburg location was opened a few months ago, and the larger Bellefonte location is set to open soon.
‘The Philipsburg incubator has been a great success and gives us a footprint to continue to work and develop this idea,’ said Higgins. ‘Right now, they have one tenant, and there are several others interested.’
According to Rodney Beard, a local attorney and BKCDA board member, the concept of the Bellefonte incubator is to provide efforts for recruitment and retention of business in the Bellefonte region, and through that, expand those concepts for other economic efforts throughout the county.
‘Many people have an idea about starting a business, but they don’t know how to get it off the ground,’ said Beard. ‘A lot of pieces have to come together for a business to get off the ground, let alone be successful. These incubators help assemble those pieces together at a very good rate.’
Dainty explained there will be a cost for tenants to lease space at the incubator, but she noted a ‘wonderful relationship’ with the property owner, Chris Summers, and said lease rates are ‘very good’ for the first year.
The incubator will have eight permanent spaces for new startup businesses, as well as four work stations for prospective business owners to use when they are available. Dainty said the incubator will be open 24 hours a day.
‘We understand many people who want to start a business work full-time or part-time jobs,’ said Dainty. ‘This will give them the opportunity to come in and use the facility as their schedule fits.’
In addition to desk space, Beard explained the incubator also offers other perks, including the use of copy and fax machines, a conference room and mentoring services with local economic organizations. Monthly seminars and professional discussions are also being planned.
Dainty said the cost to ready the incubator for opening will range between $45,000 and $50,000, with annual operating costs running slightly lower.
‘The county is going to help with funding this year,’ said Higgins. ‘We’re hoping organizations around the area will find some funding to help the project continue to grow into the future.’
Dainty said she has already fielded several calls from startup business hopefuls, including several in the technology field. Higgins said he has also received interest from a food processing firm and a professional business consulting group looking to expand its services in the county.
‘There are people interested and that’s a good sign,’ said Dainty. ‘Hopefully, we’ll be all full by the time we open and we can get working on another great project for the community.’
