Welcome to the Business Incubator Center blog. This tool has been established to enhance communication and collaboration within our entrepreneurial community. Please feel free to participate and contribute!
To begin, here is a little background about the center.
Mission Statement: The Business Incubator Center is a results driven provider of educational services and business tools. We support the launch, growth, stabilization and long-term success of business enterprises in Mesa County. We measure success by our ability to guide entrepreneurs through sound business decisions and our positive influence on economic growth in the region.
History: The Business Incubator Center (BIC) is a non-profit business development organization committed to being a force for economic development in Mesa County. It does this through a grassroots approach involving several small business programs which assist the new or existing business owners to start and grow their companies.
Founded in 1987 by a group of community leaders, BIC was one of several initiatives after the last economic bust to diversify the economy and create jobs. Started in the 40,000 square foot Biggs Kurtz warehouse, BIC moved to the Department of Energy complex in 1999 and now occupies 60,000 square feet of light manufacturing and office space. Comprised of four primary programs, BIC extends its reach throughout the region from Collbran to Mack and into all types of industries including manufacturing, agriculture, construction and retail. BIC sees its role as education and coaching of business owners and leaders in establishing an entrepreneurial infrastructure in Mesa County.
Through our various programs we work with hundreds of entrepreneurs every month. Our contribution to the economy in terms of both diversity and growth is clearly demonstrated by our results:
- With an 80% success rate, we are honored to call over 200 successful local businesses our Incubator Program “graduates.” These companies have created over 900 jobs and $130 million in direct revenue. The Incubator Program has had a $325 million dollar positive impact on our local economy.
- Since its inception in 1986, the Business Loan Fund of Mesa County has loaned more than $12.3 million to over 250 Mesa County small businesses and leveraged over $46.3 million in additional capital. More than 95% of those businesses funded have succeeded, adding jobs and additional tax dollars to the local economy.
- The Small Business Development Center has worked with thousands of individuals one-on-one and held hundreds of workshops and classes. SBDC clients reported 92 jobs created and $3.5 million in capital formation in the first 3 quarters of 2007 alone.
