Bellefonte's small business incubator officially opens
SpringBoard, Centre County’s newest small business incubator and coworking space, officially opened and welcomed its first tenant on October 1, 2017.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in May, when members and professionals from the Centre County community were able to tour the space, and potential tenants could initially fill out applications.
By the end of 2018, Centre County will have a dozen business incubators distributed across the southern portion of the County, and SpringBoard is one of them. Tenants are able to get a jump start on their business ideas and goals by joining SpringBoard -- and “Spring” their idea into action.
The SpringBoard facility provides open work spaces, a shared conference room and kitchenette, high speed internet, training and workshops to any entrepreneur, startup or early stage firm within the county. Tenants are able to receive access to services, a network of professionals and acn learn about financial incentive programs available through state and federal agencies.
Supporting SpringBoard are:
• Centre County Commissioners
• Belle/Key (Bellefonte Keystone Community Development)
• Bellefonte Area School District
• Blue Mountain Quality Resources
• Other local stakeholders
• First National Bank
• Bellefonte Borough
• Bellefonte Eagles
• Bellefonte YMCA
SpringBoard is just one step Centre County Commissioners are taking to grow and diversify the Centre County economy. Efforts are underway to recruit employers from outside the area, retain and grow the diverse businesses Centre County already has and create closer ties between technical education and local employers.
Incubators play a huge role in that initiative, and plans to increase business incubation efforts are underway to open additional incubators, create speciality incubators that will house niche startups and to geographically disperse new incubators that will redevelop underutilized sites.
Are you ready to spring your idea into action?
Become SpringBoard’s next member, and start making your business dream a reality. Contact us to learn more: