Anderson Business Incubator to Host Open House June 9, 2010

Tenants settle in to new space; ABI accepting new clients

Anderson, Indiana (05-27-2010) The Anderson Business Incubator (ABI), an economic development initiative managed by the Flagship Enterprise Center (FEC), will host an Open House of new tenant space on the 3rd floor of the National City Bank building at 931 Meridian St. in downtown Anderson on June 9 from 9am-noon. The Open House will be an opportunity to meet the clients of the ABI, FEC staff, and to learn more about the structure and programming of the incubator. The public is invited to attend, as are individuals interested in finding assistance with their start up or existing small business.

Current clients of the ABI include:

The Mobile Seamstress – Connie Combs – 765-635-4776
Alterations, Household accessories. Makes house calls!

Character and Self Esteem Institute – Shauntel Peak-Jiminez - [email protected]
Motivational speaker. Conducts seminars.

Anderson Black Expo – Michelle Paige – 765-620-9493

Madison County Firefighters Association – Skip Ockomon – 765-425-1936
Has built and maintains a fire rescue house.

GG Enterprizes – Michelle and Vincent Turner – 765-620-8505
Commercial and Residential cleaning and light maintenance

The Anderson Business Incubator has taken new space in the National City Bank building after the recent sale of the former downtown location. The move was prompted by reduced funding from the City of Anderson which spurred a fundamental shift in the perception of the ABI as a “brick and mortar” establishment. Under the present structure, City funds supplement rents in privately held space for clients of the ABI. As clients grow their business through the programmatic guidance of the ABI and become more economically viable, their rent will gradually increase to market rates. FEC/ABI Executive Director DeWayne Landwehr remarked, “now, clients will ‘graduate’ when they move from being subsidized clients to being full-pay clients, without ever having to deal with the expense and hassle of moving business locations.”

Any parties interested in learning more about the programs of the FEC or ABI, or building owners who would be interested in partnering with the ABI can reach DeWayne Landwehr by calling 765-622-0800.