Power Up Spartanburg recently announced that a small business retail and restaurant incubator will be built along the Mary Black Rail Trail in Spartanburg.
Located at 351 E. Henry St., near the Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA, the incubator will be a small business and entrepreneurial hub developed to provide affordable commercial space, business support, mentoring services and more to small business owners seeking to start, grow and scale their businesses.
“Access to commercial space is one of the greatest barriers facing many small business owners. The incubator will create a dedicated space where entrepreneurs, start-ups and emerging business owners can build a customer base, strengthen their operations and business practices and grow in a supportive, community-driven environment,” Jay Jenkins, OneSpartanburg, Inc. vice president of Small & Minority Business Development said.
The project is being developed through a partnership between Power Up Spartanburg, OneSpartanburg, Inc., the City of Spartanburg, Spartanburg County and private-sector partners Joseph McMillin and Clay McDonough.
Once complete, the small business incubator will feature nine container-style commercial units providing dedicated space for participating small business owners. The spaces will be professionally designed to serve as a permanent space.
Along with the space, businesses selected for the incubator will have access to the resources and support network of Power Up Spartanburg.
“We’re not only filling retail space, we’re investing in people and showcasing how entrepreneurship, economic development and public-private partnerships can create opportunities for small businesses,” Jessica Coker, Spartanburg County councilor said. “We know that when small businesses win, our entire community wins.”
Applications to be one of the nine businesses to have space at the small business incubator remain open through July 10 at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemC9Qr2FZJE2LawmlCbs7k99qdixBf0zoLGkZaUhHPbCkypA/viewform.
Once an application is submitted, it will be evaluated on viability, growth potential and if the business would fit within the incubator’s mission and available space. From there, a group of applicants will interview with a committee before tenants are selected and enter into occupancy agreements.
“The Power Up Small Business Incubator is an investment in the entrepreneurs and small business owners who help shape Spartanburg’s future. I’m proud to see our community come together to support new pathways for economic growth and I’m excited to welcome this new addition to the City of Spartanburg,” Spartanburg Mayor Jerome Rice said.
Power Up Spartanburg will host informational sessions on the small business incubator at the following dates and times:
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 29
4 to 5 p.m. July 7
Information will also be available on request from interested small business owners.
“Power Up Spartanburg has provided critical support and a community to thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs as they pursue their dreams, building an ecosystem few places can rival,” Monier Abusaft, Spartanburg County councilor, said. “This new incubator is another way for small business-owners and entrepreneurs to receive operational support, as well as community support. Both go a very long way.”
Construction has already begun, with site preparation ongoing now. The finished project is expected to open in late fall.
