WHAT IS A BUSINESS INCUBATOR?
A Business Incubator is a building
that houses support staff and programs that nurture young firms and businesses,
helping them to survive and grow during the start-up period when they are most
vulnerable, traditionally for a period of two years.
A Business Incubator also provides
hands-on management assistance, access to financing, and exposure to critical
business and technical support services.
The Business Incubator offers
entrepreneurial firms shared office services, access to equipment, flexible
leases, and expandable space all under one roof.
HISTORY OF THE
The Franklin Business Incubator is
located in a building built in 1907. This
sturdy 40,000 sq. ft. structure has 18-inch thick brick exterior walls, a metal
roof and pine floors. Massive pine
columns support each of the 4 stories.
The building was originally constructed to manufacture buggies and
surreys and this business thrived until the popularity of the automobile
stalled sales. The buggy factory closed
around 1916. The owner then began
manufacturing screen doors and windows in the facility but later moved that
business to
The Franklin Business Incubator
project was born from a discussion between the Federal Economic Development Administration
(EDA) and the Franklin-Southampton Economic Development Commission in an effort
to revitalize the community following the flood in 1999. Over 2 million dollars in funding was
subsequently awarded from the EDA, the Virginia Department of Business
Assistance, and Community Development Block Grant. These grants have allowed the City to bring
this important economic development project to fruition.
WHY LOCATE YOUR BUSINESS IN AN INCUBATOR?
Most new businesses have strength
in a specific area and a great deal of passion to do what they are all
about. What they generally lack is
experience in the basics of running a business and the infrastructure to make
things work. Within an incubator, your
business will receive the experience and knowledge on how to run a successful
business. Statistics show that 87% of
incubator graduated businesses REMAIN in business.
THE
·
Affordable
Rent for as little as $69 per month for the first six months and $94 for every
month thereafter in a renovated 40,000 Square Foot State of the Art
Facility.
|
·
Business Planning Assistance ·
Receptionist / Telephone Answering Service ·
Reception/Waiting Area ·
Network Opportunities ·
Janitorial Services ·
Utilities, except telephone ·
Notary Public ·
Conference Room/Classroom ·
Parking ·
Security ·
Central Mail Handling and Shipping Area |
·
Resource Library ·
Kitchen Facility ·
Binder/Shredder Usage ·
Industry Mentors ·
Tenant Advisory Board ·
On-Site Training Programs ·
On-Site Facility Manager ·
Shared Equipment (Copier, Fax, Audio-Visual) ·
Postage Meter ·
Overnight Mail Service ·
Secretarial Support |
STEP 1:
Gain instant credibility.
When you’re accepted into the
Franklin Business Incubator program, you not only get office space in a secure, Class A building, you get convenient meeting and conference
facilities, a formal reception area
and access to our copy/fax center
and kitchen. More importantly, your new business gains the
instant credibility of an established
office, impressing clients, partners and vendors. Of course, the folks at the coffee shop will
really miss you.
STEP 2:
Switch yourself on.
As part of the only area in-house
city-sponsored incubator, you’ll get switched on quickly. Collaborate
with other entrepreneurs at monthly meetings, brainstorm with colleagues in
our “incubator Alley” and attend exclusive
networking events. Our incubator
members also enjoy terrific exposure at
City events, in press releases and on our website. And with the City staff and Incubator Board
members looking out for you, you’ll have
direct connections to business leaders in the Tidewater
STEP 3: When you see a great deal,
take it.
You’re a business person so we can
talk bottom line, right? With discounted
monthly rent, our Incubator is already an outstanding value. Now, to sweeten the deal, we’ll also throw in
complimentary services such as a receptionist, meeting rooms, central phone
system, and industry mentors, hands-on management assistance, access to
financing and orchestrated exposure to critical business and technical support
services.
So, are you ready to grow? For an application, one-on-one consultation
and additional information,
please call the Franklin Business
Incubator at 757-562-1958.
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THE