East Side Incubator
The old North Jefferson Public Branch Library (at Utica) is about to get $500,000 injection of funds that will be used to transform the building into a "state-of-the-art" business incubator. We took a drive over to see the former library this morning and could not help but be pleased that this building will soon be full of commercial life. The transformation is being made possible by the success of the already functioning Jefferson Avenue Marketplace Incubator (currently full to capacity). The incubator will be divided into eight separate spaces where entrepreneurs will be able to grow a business from early stages. The goal is to give businesses an affordable place to build out while learning the fundamentals of operations. Too often fledgling enterprises cannot handle steep rents, mounting utilities, lack of marketing prowess, etc. The incubator scenarios are perfect to help young owners overcome the initial stumbling blocks that can adversely affect so many new businesses.
Along with the eight incubator spaces, the East Side location for the BERC Resource Center will be located within the building. This is a wise decision considering that these businesses will be able to have an organization within reach to solve any problems that could arise. This will also work well when BERC meets with potential new clients. There is nothing that works better than to show a prospective client how different operations work (steps A-Z). A tour through the facility would include pointing out young role models, and seasoned enterprises that are not far from leaving the incubator in search of commercial districts.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
The Wait is Almost Over - BR's New Site
As we mentioned in our previous post, we’re in the process of changing the Buffalo Rising site. We’re almost there as we expect to launch the new site on Friday, December 19th.
In the meantime, posting will be light as we log new stories in the new publishing system which will only be viewable when we launch on Friday.
As always, we appreciate our users’ patience as we make this transition but we promise it will be well worth it. With faster load times, a comment view … - Dec 18th 2008, 11:32am
- Continue Reading
- 5 Comments
-
A Kennedy Visits Buffalo
Caroline Kennedy was in town for a visit with our mayor yesterday. A possible choice to succeed US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kennedy's name has been mentioned along with that of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo) and our own Byron Brown, among others.
Certainly, Kennedy has "been around politics" all of her life, which is to say she was born into a family of politicos and lived in the White House--neither of which would necessarily f … - Dec 18th 2008, 7:55am
- Continue Reading
- 32 Comments
-
Downtown Free Fare Zone May be Axed
Free light rail rides on downtown's above ground section could be derailed thanks to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's budget mess. That is the news coming out of a Buffalo Place meeting this morning. Facing a budget shortfall and reduced State operating assistance, the NFTA is scrambling for new revenue sources and is contemplating charging for rides along the lengthy downtown pedestrian mall.- Dec 17th 2008, 4:40pm
- Continue Reading
- 48 Comments
-
The NFTA Santa Ride
Well it is Christmas time in the city and the NFTA helped put people and especially children into the mood in a very festive and fun way. One of my favorite memories of childhood was taking the train downtown with my grandfather. I would gaze out the windows and watch the tunnel speed by. It always felt like we were going a million miles an hour.
Then there was the ability to stand up and walk around during the ride without the need to be strapped down. It was always a fun time … - Dec 17th 2008, 4:34pm
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
Comment Options
halljd39
great use of a old historic building!
Report this
RonR
Great idea but would be interested in hearing the process of how they will select companies for the 8 spaces and determine if a company can stay based on its success.
Report this
SLEEPL8
The entire city of Buffalo needs to be incubated.
Report this
Hopeful
I have a lot of direct experience with incubators and know that it's a fairly complex process. From the perspective of the business owner/tenant: Will rent be charged? If so, how much? Will it be a percentage of gross receipts? How long is the incubation period? What are the criteria for selecting businesses? Will this include retailers? If so, what type of retailers? If so, because retailing is so site sensitive, has consideration been given to the site matching the retailer? Each business type has unique planning and marketing needs Will the technical staff that's going to be giving business development support to tenants have the appropriate credentials and experience?
It's a wonderful idea, if properly done with the appropriate support staff and tenant selection. If it isn't properly done, it could turn into one huge nightmare.
Report this
Frankster
This is the finest library building in Buffalo, architecturally speaking, and I was worried about its fate when the Merriweather Library opened. I feared the worst, another vacant lot or a hand-off to a politically connected but incompetent private owner. This is a fine reuse, assuming that the administrative concerns mentioned by Hopeful can be worked out.
Report this
Frankster
Oh, and can they restore the missing light standard?
Report this
BuffaloBloviator
Nobody appreciates the concept of a business incubator more than myself. ...Most of my businesses have been premature.
Report this