Door County Economic Development Corporation will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Door County Business Development Center and the national Entrepreneurship Week USA initiative with an open house on Thursday, March 1st, 3-6pm in the Corporation offices at 185 East Walnut Street, Sturgeon Bay. The open house will provide opportunity for the public to meet current tenants, enjoy light refreshments and tour the Business Development Center.
The Door County Business Development Center, located in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park, is a small business incubator that helps reduce business start-up overhead costs for entrepreneurs by offering affordable rents and providing free or low-cost access to shared facilities, services and equipment. The Center provides space for new or young companies looking for support to get a strong start in business. Center tenants may also qualify for special business incentive and finance programs: low interest loans; business finance training and consulting; tax incentives; and financing eligibility and application assistance.
The Business Development Center was opened in February 1997 by DCEDC and funded primarily through state and federal government grants. With 32,000 square feet, the Center can accommodate a variety of different businesses, including office, service, assembly, distribution and light manufacturing. Currently, the Center is home to 8 businesses with 48 employees. Seventeen businesses have graduated from the center, creating 76 jobs to date.
Entrepreneurship Week USA is the first-ever coordinated national effort to promote the importance of entrepreneurs to the national economy. From February 24 to March 3, 2007, thousands of activities celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit – ranging from high school competitions to academic gatherings and local town halls to a national policy summit – will take place in all fifty states. More information and a national schedule of events are available at: www.entrepreneurshipweekusa.com.
The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality of the county and its residents. Founded in 1989, DCEDC has been successful in helping existing businesses create and retain thousands of jobs through a myriad of programs and initiatives. Additionally, DCEDC places strong emphasis on fostering entrepreneurial instincts in county residents as well as those who vacation on the Door County Peninsula. Door County Economic Development Corporation offices are located within the small business incubator DCEDC founded in 1997 at 185 East Walnut Street in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park.
