Small Business Incubator

BB2C’s Small Business Incubator, which is housed in our Epicenter along with our Makerspace and BB2C offices, has seen some change this year. The goal of the Small Business Incubator (SBI) is to provide support to local entrepreneurs and businesses while providing students the opportunity to work with them through job shadowing, internships, and events such as Family Career Awareness Day. This past year we had a new organization join the SBI and another one graduate.

We welcomed the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers Coalition (AOMC) to the SBI. Director James Ruble now has an office and space to work to meet with manufacturing stakeholders in the community. BB2C is particularly excited to be home to AOMC as we were able to support the development of the organization. BB2C was able to convene organizations and representatives to help develop an industry sector partnership, which ultimately led to the birth of AOMC. Today, AOMC is a strong partner in bridging the gap between education and employment, especially in regard to employment in manufacturing.  They also provide on-going support for paid high school internships. AOMC’s mission is to create manufacturer-led solutions in partnership with education, workforce, and economic development that motivate and prepare youth and incumbent workers through skills, training and credentials to enter and advance in manufacturing careers. You can learn more about AOMC at www.aomanufacturers.org.

We also bid adieu to Family Counseling and Rehabilitation Center of Ohio (FCRC). Pamela Lankford, Logistics and Epicenter Director, reflected on FCRC’s time in the Incubator. “Family Counseling and Rehabilitation Center saw significant growth during their time at the Epicenter.  They were seeing patients from early morning well into the evenings and on weekends.  They had grown into several offices and really needed a space they could call their own.  With their move to the Broughton Complex, they now have a space they can customize to more fully meet the needs of their patients.  From one counselor to a staff that includes a doctor, nurse, and several counselors, FCRC is providing a much-needed service to our area.” FCRC is now located at 643A State Route 821 in Marietta. You can learn more about FCRC at www.fcrcofohio.com.

BB2C currently has office space available for local entrepreneurs and businesses who are looking to grow, add, or move office space. Rent, which includes all overhead, access to a copier and copy room, access to a conference room and coaching, starts at $250 per month. If you’re interested, you can find more information visit www.bb2careers.org/sbi or contact Pamela Lankford at plankford@bb2careers.org.