By: Deborah Johnson Wood
The Lakeshore Business Garden may only have 3,500 square feet of office space. But its mark on West Michigan is much bigger. In just two years, this business incubator has helped 15 businesses—nine of which haven't "graduated" yet—employ over 40 employees and generate $3 million in sales.
The Lakeshore Business Garden, located in Zeeland, is one of the support programs offered by Lakeshore Advantage, an economic development organization for the greater west Ottawa County region.
"The Lakeshore Business Garden works with companies that have the potential to add or create jobs, sell outside the region to bring money into the region, and they must plan on staying in the area," said Amanda Chocko, marketing manager. "Any business can come to us in any stage from idea to startup."
For $300 a month, entrepreneurs lease office space with a desk, table, high speed Internet, wireless Internet, a copier, fax machine, and conference rooms for meetings. Staff members conduct quarterly reviews with each business owner to review their progress and develop action plans.
In addition, tenants may attend business round table discussions where all the tenants discuss successes, challenges, and problem solving. Local professionals are often invited to present topics in their area of expertise, such as, marketing, sales, finance, and product development.
For $50 a month, Virtual Tenants can work from home or an outside office and still enjoy limited access to the conference rooms, wireless, fax and copy center, and can participate in the events.
"Our mission is to advance the local economy by helping new high-growth potential ventures become successful businesses and employers," Chocko said.
Source: Amanda Chocko, Lakeshore Business Garden
www.lakeshoreadvantage.com
Deborah Johnson Wood is the Development News Editor for Rapid Growth. She can be reached at [email protected].
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